For the ninth and expectedly her last State of the Nation Address, Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo outlines her speech on 3Es: Economy, Environment and Education at the Historic Batasan Pambansa Complex in Quezon city during the congress’ joint session Monday afternoon.
The SONA started off with a moment of silence for the ailing former president Aquino, then President Arroyo immediately proceeded to boasting the country’s economic survival despite of the current global financial meltdown spreading throughout the world for the past months. She cited Moody’s announcement of Philippines’ credit rating based on the resilience of our economy. “[That is] good news for our people, bad news for our critics. I did not become President to be popular. To work, to lead, to protect and preserve our country, our people, that is why I became President. When my father left the Presidency, we were second to Japan. I want our Republic to be ready for the first world in 20 years.” The President said. She credited this to the tax reforms albeit “strong, bitter, and unpopular revenue measures” “[They] have spared our country the worst of the global financial shocks.”
“Some say that after this SONA, it will be all politics. Sorry, but there’s more work”, says Arroyo.
She further explained that “Compared to the past, we have built more and better infrastructure, including those started by others but left unfinished. The Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway is a prime example of building better roads. It creates wealth as the flagship of the Subic-Clark corridor. We have built airports of international standard, upgraded domestic airports, built seaports and the RORO system. I ask Congress for a Philippine Transport Security Authority Law.”
Other Major Achievements raised by the President
- Creating wealth through BPO and Tourism development.
- “With earnings of $6 billion and employment of 600,000, the BPO phenomenon speaks eloquently of our competitiveness and productivity.. In the last four years tourism almost doubled. It is now a $5 billion industry.”
- Proper policies lowered interest rates, which lowered costs to business and consumers. Average Inflation rate was at its lowest since 1966.
- Food investment in anticipation of global food crisis. Thousand Kilometers of farm-to-market roads were established, helping the farmers raise their revenues at the same time, to sell in a low price the NFA rice.
- Drug companies volunteered to bring down drug prices, slashing by half the prices of 16 drugs. The president exclaimed her support on the tough version of the House of the Cheaper Medicine Law.
- “In technical education and skills training, we have invested three times that of three previous administrations combined.”
- Commutation of sentence or pardon for convicted Overseas Filipino Workers, especially in Saudi where there are almost 700 Filipinos in jail.
In conclusion she maintained that “today the Philippines is weathering well the storm that is raging around the world. It is growing stronger with the challenge. When the weather clears, as it will, there is no telling how much farther forward it can go. Believe in it. I believe. We can and we must-march-forward-with-hope, optimism and determination.We must come together, work together and walk together toward the future.”
“Bagamat malaking hamon ang nasa ating harapan, nasa kamay natin ang malaking kakayahan. Halina’t pagtulungan nating tiyakin ang karapat-dapat na kinabukasan ng ating Inang Bayan.”
“And to the people of our good country, for allowing me to serve as your President, maraming salamat”. (roaring applause and standing ovation follows)
“Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!” finally uttered by the President.
Notes: Amidst the speculations of some opposition senators and especially former house speaker Jose de Venecia, no attempt was made by pro CON-ASS congressmen to convene the said joint session of congress into a constituent assembly, the same was adjourned immediately after the president’s speech.
View/download full transcript of SONA
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