State of the Nations Address 2013 (President Benigno Aquino Iii)

“SONA 2013”
Change could not be done overnight either six years is not enough but even if the president is strangled by these truths he is still persistent to continue what he started; whoever people he might meet head-on in the process, whatever cost may it take. This was the one my contemplation of the opening statement of President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III during his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) held last July 22, 2013 in Batasan Pambansa Complex. His very promising statements captures the heart of the masses for it gave confidence for the many that the president himself is ready to combat corrupt public administrators and it pledged hope for the citizens of the country, an undying hope for a enhanced change and a better country. The fourth years of his administration has started and so let’s scrutinize what news he brings about the state of the country.
He first started his speech by one way or another- expressing gratitude and confidence to the citizens of our country for choosing the majority of his allies’ last election. He did imply that the Filipino are still with him in his goal of changing the country into betterment and for me, voting for his allies’ in order to dominate the congress might be a big step for that change. As stated by Chris Trueman (2000) in his article “Congressional Elections”, the president of a state encounters many problems between him and his congress. One of which is that the if a president, belonged of the Democrats, actively campaigns for his party and candidates and they lose, he will have to work with a Republican Congress and he will not be able to guarantee Congressional support for his policies which could make his last two years a ‘lame duck’ presidency and condemn his party to the political wilderness for some years. This could be especially true if the mid-term campaigning had been negative and unpleasant. In the case of P-Noy, what happened was the opposite. I have also observed that the president has his strategies of making other offices of the government close to him by appointing people of his personal choice. Say for one is the current chief justice Maria Lourdes P.A. Sereno which of course the president has the power to appoint and this may have good results and advantageous in the current administration but on the other side, let us not forget the separation of power as per stated by constitution. The possibility of dictating or greatly influencing the decision-making of the department heads of these offices, who are his allies’, may exist. And if ever the president intervenes greatly on the law making body or the decisions of these heads then the basic principle loses its essence.
He also mentioned Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. The main goal of this human development program of the government is to alleviate the poor through cash transfer schemes, which is patterned by other countries like Brazil. The scope of which are households who are classified as poor based on the NHTS-PR and those have children 0-14 years old and/or have a pregnant woman at the time of assessment (DSWD 2011). The pabahay program from the poor sector to the uniformed officers serving the country was mentioned as well. The progress of these programs as he stated has been successful but like any other governmental programs they also have their negative outcome. They provide aid to the poor but for the pessimistic minds; these poor people might become independent to the government. As I have come to realize, how can an annual support of 6,000 pesos which is 500 a month from the government becomes a tool for dependency? 500 pesos is not even enough to feed the hungry for a month and we can’t even deny that the occasional delay of distribution of this money happens so; these families are left with no choice but to support themselves through their own means. There is the pabahay program also. The government is trying hard to transfer the people from the street to fine and well made adobes and even hitting birds with one stone; making life worth living for these people and decreasing the number of nuisance in the streets but how come some of them, the people being helped, are not cooperating. On a certain news program that I’ve watched, the reporter asked a certain person of why she is still living in the streets and wasn’t she being helped by the government? She answered “Ah, adto kos village nga ilang gihimo nga di mi katarung og kaon? Niya wa poy tarung kurente og tubig? Maypag anhi nalang kos dan, makakaon pami’g lami na pagkaon (through left-over’s of customer at nearby fast food chains) sa’kong pamilya.” From that point I’ve concluded two things; the matter of cooperation and joint determination of the administration and its people is the greatest element of yielding the effectively of these projects. No matter how great the program schemes are, so long as the people is not cooperative and the government is not being persuasive enough to these people then there is no development that will be made. It will be stagnant. Another thing is that, the government is giving solutions to the existing problems but within that solution arise a new problem to deal with. This is the reality of governance and even with life; the cycle of the never ending problems and solutions.
Another topic of the president in his SONA is the purchasing of billions of worth fighter jets, combat utility helicopters and other advanced equipments for the necessity of the AFP. He greatly disagrees with the idea of buying it. With the equipments worth and with the current economy of the state, we cannot afford it. As I’ve understood with the totally of his SONA, he is more focused on solving the root problems rather than creating a new one that will tail down. Talking about the AFP and empowering their forces we can’t break away from to wondering, how about the disputes with China? How about the international threats we receive? Well I say, I think P-Noy is confident enough that the threat of these international forces should and would not affect us. He is concerned with the problems within the community rather than preparing for vague threat of war. There must be balance of needs for everything rather than investing every cent of the nation’s budget to one thing. And so long as we remain to be good and upstanding member of the international community and continue to keep our alliances between other nations and with the protection of being a part of United Nations, we are safe.
A lot of statements in the presidents SONA which is for me are good news. He mentioned about projects from the previous administrations, like the construction of the Aluling Bridge in Ilocos Sur that has been long ignored and now are already put into action. Some are already finished and some are still ongoing. The effectiveness of public and private programs. The capitalist will, of course, benefit but more over the relationship between them will result to vast opportunities for the people.
He stated “Whereas before, roads were constructed based on whims, and bridges were built where the Mayor enjoyed the friendship of Madam, now, we follow a nationwide plan. No favorites, no transactionalism, no patronage; each peso is spent to accelerate our goal of broad-based growth.” I think he is being sincere, transparent and truthful with it. But the thing is we are from the bureaucracy. The discretion of it lies within those from the local government. And sometimes it can’t be help, no matter how these officials will try deny the “padrino system” in their administration by the end of their term they will still be calling out for the help of these “pandrino” to back them up in the elections. In return these “padrinos” will be asking for any help when the officials are back in track. As explained in Agoncillos “History of the Filipino People”, we have inherited the attitude of “utang na loob.”
The astounding 7.8% GDP status of the country is a good new as well. The recognition from the international bodies. And speaking of recognition I couldn’t help but mention the way P-Noy has recognized simple citizens from their good acts most especially the from the police force. As I’ve read through it, my heart was uplifted. That no matter how bad the image of sector is we should not generalize all acts of the policemen to ghastly. Same goes with all other agency. The way he recognized these people somewhat encourages the others to do the same. There is still goodness within them and there is still hope for them. All we have to do is to take part in changing the rustic culture of these agencies. Be neophytes for change! It may sound very idealistic but we can have our own ways in dealing with these and I’m not saying that this can be done immediately. That change should start from us.
I had a lot of generalizations as I read his SONA. One is that, this country has so much money! From the taxes down to the dividend. We have billions of them yet poverty and crisis still exist. It’s nice to know that despite these problems, we are stable. It was mentioned as well that during the help in evacuating fellow citizens in Libya, on the way, we have also helped other nationalities. Worthy of mention now is that aside from that kind of help, the country is also capable of helping in the giving loans and credit to other countries. It’s good to know that from debtors we are now at the state of being creditors.
His type of decision-making to problems is quite exemplary. He thinks of long terms solutions that will help alleviate the status quo with it are the positive side effects of it. I could only think about the Bell Treaty of the Roxas Administration. Either way the judgments of the outcome of a certain decision would always depend with its means.
Another side comment of the event was that it could be exiting if Gloria Arroyo attended. I’ve observed that every now and then, the president would always pick the previous administrations bad doings. But as I was enlighten, in order to see the progress and development of the present administration we must compare, not putting blames, it with the previous one. As my classmate quoted “What makes the star beautiful in the night sky? It is their contrast. The darkness the sky and brightest of the star.”
There is so many things that we look and hope for this administration. I think the bottom-line of the president in his SONA is that as his “Boss” we must help him in achieving his principle and goal of “Matuwid na Daan”. As citizens, a communal relationship with the government must be made. And that in order for our country to prosper we must cooperate and even help in transforming the government. .
I would also like to quote line from the presidents SONA “Ginagampanan po ng gobyerno ang kanyang obligasyon. Tanungin din po sanan natin ang ating sarili: Ano ang inambak ko sa solusyon?” Another is one of his ending speeches “Sa bawat estudyanteng mulat sa mga napapanahong isyu sa lipunan, at sa halip na magreklamo lang sa Facebook ay nagmumungkahi ng solusyon: SONA mo ito.” .This are one of the lines that have struck me the most and that until now I am still looking for a very significant answer. It questioned my totally; as a student, as a citizen and as person. What momentous thing have I done for the country? I know writing this essay in not one but at least through this my mind has been opened.