Pinoy's SONA.

President Benigno S. Aquino III's 4th State Of the Nation Address last July 22, 2013 is his longest since being elected last 2010. It was held at the Session Hall of the House of Representatives, Batasang Pambansa Complex, Quezon City. His SONA was 55 pages long and it lasted for 1 hour and 40 minutes. 

The President emphasized his gratitude toward his bosses (a term he uses to call out  the Filipinos). He was ecstatic that out of the 12 candidates he endorsed, occupied the 9 seats in the senate. He referred to them as “mga kasangga patungo sa tuwid na daan.”

Mr. Aquino  also stressed out his accomplishments for the past 3 years of his administration. Here are the higlights:

1)     TESDA-DOLE Scholarship

·        A total of 503,521 students have received the scholarship.

·        An estimated 6 out of 10 scholars landed a job.

·        From the 28.5% employment rate last 2006-2008 to 70.9% because of the IT-BPO program.

2)     Pantawid Pamilya Program

3)     Education Reforms

·        K to 12 Program

·        Addressed deficiencies in classrooms and textbooks.

4)     Agricultural Reforms

5)     Health Programs (Increased coverage of and benefits from PhilHealth.)

6)     Readiness in Calamities

·        Joint effort of the Geohazard Mapping and Assessment Program and Project NOAH of the DOST.)

7)     Housing Programs

8)     Enhancement of the Armed Forces and Police

9)     Secure and Fair Elections

10)Peace and Order Situation in Mindanao

·        Bangsamoro Framework Agreement

11)Enhancement Tourism Industry

12)Economic Growth

13)Issues that he thinks need to be done:

·        SSS Pension Scheme Modification

·        Fake hike in MRT and LRT to decrease the subsidized fare and allot it to other government services.

Though many Filipinos are doubtful about Pinoy’s administration, I believe that he has achieved a lot in his term. I am hopeful that he will continue his strive for the “tuwid na daan.”