P-Noy cites problems left by Arroyo

MANILA, Philippines – President Benigno Aquino III blamed again the past Arroyo administration on the desperate economic state of the country as he delivers his Ulat sa Bayan (Report to the Nation) this afternoon at the Philsport Arena in Pasig City.

“Isang taon na ng tapusin natin ang pamahalaan na bulag at pipi sa pangangailangan ng bayan,” Aquino said referring to the nine-year administration of former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

He recalled how the former government leadership brought the country down to the worst economic situation, while lauding his administration in reducing it in just one year.

Aquino also cited the reduction of rice importation program of the government by upgrading irrigation structures and augmenting rice farming services across the country, resulting to the highest dry season cropping this years.

He also reiterated the Department of Agriculture’s promise to free the country from rice importation and make it rice sufficient by 2013.

He also mentioned his administration’s poverty alleviation programs such as the conditional cash transfer and the fuel subsidy undertaking of the energy department.

Aquino also cited his campaign against corruption especially the cutting of excessive perks and bonuses of thigh-ranking officials of government-owned and -controlled corporations, while vowing for more benefits for state workers.

“Pagsisiwalat sa kalokohan sa halip na pakikisawsaw sa katiwalian. Malayo na po ang narating natin sa loob sa isang taon,” he pointed out.

Year One speech of President Benigno Aquino III

In a statement released before President Aquino’s speech, presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda cited the several upgrades in the Aquino administration, which included landmark policies and laws for economic and political reform, increased private domestic investments, hundreds of thousands of jobs generated leading to a decrease in unemployment.

He said that from being apathetic during the last years of former President Arroyo, Filipinos have become more participative with the government in the first year of Aquino in office.

“In one year, apathy has been replaced by a renewed sense of partnership between government and the people. With our mandate from the people, and our commitment to uphold our people’s expectation that they are our boss, the Aquino administration will not be cowed,” Lacierda said.

Several civil society groups issued various reactions on the President’s first year in service. While others are lauding his performance, there are also those that maligned him.

The Philippine Legislators’ Committee on Population and Development (PLCPD), The Forum for Family Planning and the Philippine NGO Council for Population, Health and Welfare thanked the President for his unflinching support especially in the controversial reproductive health bill.

“Despite the heavy, underhanded and at times personal attack of leaders of the Catholic Church hierarchy, the President stood his ground and even took pain in publicly explaining his principles of responsible parenthood,” the groups said in the unified statement.

For its part, the Interfaith Movement for Peaceful and Clean Elections in Mindanao chided Aquino for signing-into-law the ARMM poll postponement bill on his first year in the Palace.

“Today marks the end of the honeymoon period of President Benigno Simeon Aquino III. Despite the strong clamor of several groups, the Aquino administration once again ignores the call of the public which he said as his “boss”.

“With this… we rally to voice out our vehement protest against the signing of the ARMM election postponement bill today as we are also calling all vanguards and peoples partners in promoting and defending their democratic rights,” the GROUP said.

Labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno also slammed the Aquino for his failure in alleviating the poverty situation in the country.

“We mark his first year in office by condemning him for pressing down workers’ wages, affirming contractualization of the country’s work forces and carrying out other anti-labor policies,” said Roger Soluta, KMU secretary-general.

“We reject all of Pres. Aquino’s excuses for not having done enough to alleviate the poverty of the Filipino workers and people – that Gloria is to blame,” he added.

Meantime, overseas Filipino workers’ group Migrante International said Aquino’s first year in office is “arguably the worst year for OFWs”.

“Since Aquino took his oath it has been especially more grueling for OFWs and their families. He specifically promised to give special attention to OFWs in his inaugural speech but what we have experienced is the complete opposite,” said Migrante chairperson Garry Martinez.

Martinez said that under the Aquino administration, OFWs have experienced unforgivable government neglect, the biggest budget cut for OFW services, more exorbitant state exactions and fee impositions, diplomatic blunders that have placed their welfare at stake. –Jun Pasaylo (The Philippine Star)