PGMA

jobs, education, housing, food

1 hour, 6 minutes

Taking off from the wishes of three Payatas kids, PGMA outlined plans for job creation,
education, housing and food security. She set targets and asked Congress for several
legislative measures. She called for national unity, at the same time stating her
administration's policy to support the fair and speedy trial of all accused in the cases vs.
former President Joseph Estrada. PGMA promised to end the Abu Sayyaf. PGMA
acknowledged the importance of information and communication technology in economic
development, farmland as loan collateral, computerization of elections, laws to reduce
red tape in the national government, amend the BSP charter and the Banking Act to
improve supervision and promote financial prudence, enact the Personal Equity
Retirement Act, enact the Investment Company Act, enact the Securitization Act, enact
amendments to the Securities Regulation Code, enact a law providing for a gross income
tax, overseas absentee voting, enact laws addressing internet privacy and security;
allowing for multimedia convergence; creating a Department of Telecommunications and
Information Technology, wage increase, creation of a Department of Housing, tax reform
law enact a law reducing the amount of drugs in a suspect's possession for him to be
charged with drug trafficking

Benigno Aquino
1. Investigate irregularities in the calamity fund, MWSS, NAPOCOR, and NFA
2. Run after smugglers and tax evaders
3. Punish perpetrators of extrajudicial killings
4. Form the Truth Commission to go after corrupt officials
6. Build tourism and agricultural infrastructure
5. Forge public-private partnerships (PPP) to boost the economy
7. Create Jobs
8. Implement the K+12 education program
9. Fund the conditional cash transfer (CCT) program
11. Initiate Peace Talks with the MILF and the NDF
1. Anti-crime and illegal drugs

2. Campaign against police 'scalawags'

3. Human rights

4. Anti-terrorism

5. Peace agenda

6. Solid growth/low inflation/dollar reserves/strong fiscal position

7. Tax reforms: more equitable and efficient/ lower personal and corp. Income tax/relax
bank secrecy

8. Job creation for inclusive growth

9. Rh law implementation

10. Entrepreneurship/ financing for smes

11. Tourism infrastructure

12. Agriculture sector modernization

13. Soil analysis/rice farming productivity

14. Flood control in metro manila

15. Political reforms

16. Anti-red tape

17. Issue motor vehicle plates at point of sale, not through lto

18. Extend driver's license validity from 3 to 5 years

19. Extend passport validity to 10 years/streamline docu requirements/ open additional

consular offices

20. Train tickets issued in stores, malls

21. Pasig river ferry service to ease traffic

22. Anti-colorum/out-of-line apprehension/removal of terminals

23. Metro manila traffic/emergency powers

24. Improve trains/extend operating hours of lrt

25. Pursue rail projects/mindanao rail/davao transit/cebu transit, etc

26. Decongest naia/transfer of general aviation/tap clark airport

27. Illegal logging/illegal mining

28. Illegal fishing

29. Break up big fish pens in laguna lake/transform it into an ecozone showcasing
ecotourism

30. Closure of carmona sanitary landfill/adopt waste-to-energy projects and technology

31. Global warming/climate change

32. Create people's broadcasting corp and replace ptv-4

33. Eo on freedom of info

34. Ao on task force on media killings

35. Address low prosecutorial effectiveness and efficiency

36. Enact whisteblower protection law/strengthen witness protection program

37. Increase lawyers and support staff of pao

38. Develop nat'l broadband plan/improve internet speed

39. Free wi-fi in public places

40. Separate department for ofws

41. Urge meralco/coops to put up electricity in relocation sites and depressed areas

42. Prioritize permits for power devt for industrialization

43. Intensify social protection for anti-poverty/ continue 4ps

44. Introduce rice subsidies for poorest families

45. Increase spending on basic education

46. Increase spending on basic education/incorporate mandatory education on evils of
drugs

47. Intensify/expand alternative learning systems

48. Health insurance for all

49. Improve professional competence, operational capabilities of gov't health facilities

50. Protect women's rights/protect women from human rights abuses/fully implement
magna carta for women

Last July 25, 2016, newly-elected President Rodrigo Duterte delivered his first State of
the Nation Address (SONA), a speech traditionally delivered by the incumbent President
of the Republic every year on this month in the august halls of Congress.

He started by taking the moral high ground; conveying clearly that he will not play the
blame game with the past administration, which he acknowledged in his other public
speeches to have done well in many respects. He committed to be more forward-
looking.

As expected, he reiterated his campaign battlecry to eradicate illegal drugs, criminality,

and corruption in the government bureaucracy. He admitted to the complexity of these
challenges, and the need for all instrumentalities of government to cooperate and jiu-
jitsu their way in this fight.

Interspersed throughout his speech was his repeated commitment that this will be a
clean government.

Fight Against Criminality and Illegal Drugs

From his SONA we can expect that the “fight against criminality and illegal drugs and
corruption will be relentless and sustained.” He committed to muster the force of the
Philippine National Police (PNP) in this campaign. But first he intends to clean up the
PNP ranks by ordering the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) to hasten the
conduct of investigation and adjudication of administrative cases against police officers
involved in criminal activities and illegal activities and prescribe policies on lifestyle
checks for PNP members. The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)
was also directed to strictly monitor how LGUs perform their supervision functions of the
police and those found not performing will be sanctioned including the loss of police
deputation from the NAPOLCOM. He envisions to create an Inter-Agency Committee on
Illegal Drugs that will integrate efforts and strengthen the partnership of all stakeholders.

The President also was clear about what to do towards rehabilitation of drug users. He
mandated the increase of residential treatment and rehabilitation facilities in all regions
of the country, with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) facilitating the
preparation for the use of military camps and facilities for drug rehabilitation.

Laudably, he also committed to intensify the war against human traffickers and illegal
recruiters that prey on migrants. He placed it in parity with illegal drugs.

Improving Access to the Justice System

He has made a very clear commitment to speed up the wheels of justice and look into
the equity, fairness and speedy disposition of cases. As a former prosecutor, he
committed to wage war against those who make a mockery of laws through tactics to
delay court proceedings. He mentioned equal treatment and equal protection for the
people. To address backlogs and low prosecutorial effectiveness and efficiency, the
investigation and case management processes shall be streamlined including those for
illegal drugs and heinous crimes. He also asked Congress to enact the Whistleblower
Protection Law while the present Witness Protection Program shall be strengthened.
The number of lawyers and support staff in the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) regional
and district offices shall be increased to provide indigents with more access to counsels.

Human Rights, Social Justice

On human rights, he committed that his administration shall be sensitive to the State’s
obligations to promote, protect, and fulfil the human rights of our citizens, especially the
poor, the marginalized and the vulnerable. Social justice will be pursued and the rule of
law shall at all times prevail. He also committed to implement a human approach to
development and governance, as we improve our people’s welfare in the areas of
health, education, adequate food and housing, environmental preservation, and respect
for culture. For informal settlers, he mandated that there should be no demolitions
without relocation. He also vowed to protect women’s rights and people against human
rights abuses. He thus ordered agencies and oversight bodies and local government
units down to the Barangay level to fully implement the Magna Carta for Women.

Indigenous Peoples

He recognized that the government has already issued the Ancestral Certificates
Domain Title covering vast tracts of land especially in the Island of Mindanao. The
Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act (IPRA Law) and the National Commission (NCIP) on
Indigenous Peoples are in place to protect the IP communities. He said that since the
government has given them the legal tool to improve themselves financially,
economically and socially, the IPs should make use of their ancestral domains and not
let them remain idle.

Peace and Security

His government intends to address the grievances that have been time and again
expressed, not only by the Bangsamoro but also by other indigenous peoples and other
groups for security, development, fair access to decision-making and acceptance of
identities. He also recognized the role of the international community on the aspect of
peace processes, stating that the Philippines shall remain committed to work under and
with international partners achieving lasting peace and progress in the country. In the
effort to reach out a hand of friendship, the President declared a unilateral ceasefire
with the CPP/NPA/NDF effective immediately, calling for the leader of the National
Democratic Front and its forces to respond accordingly.

Relatedly, he tackled the issue of internal security threats ,transnational crimes and
fanatical terrorism, aggravated by the existence and activities of the terrorist group Abu
Sayyaf. He committed to apply the full force of the AFP to crush these rogue and
lawless elements. He also recognized the need to strengthen coordination with
Indonesia and Malaysia to suppress the kidnappings especially in the South.
Fight Against Poverty

To strengthen the delivery of social services, the government will intensify its protection
programs, so it can use its resources and expertise to make a dent in the country’s
poverty levels. He wanted genuine efforts to reduce the vulnerabilities, build resiliency
and empower individuals, families and communities. Thus, he said that the beneficiaries
of 4Ps (a program to assist the poor through educational support) shall be made to
become independent and self-reliant after they have graduated from the program.

Economy and Taxation

Recognizing that what has been achieved by the previous administration need not be
reinvented, he committed continuity as regards macroeconomic management,
highlighting the importance of prudent fiscal and monetary policies that can help
translate high growth into more and better job creation and poverty reduction. He also
emphasized investments in human capital and ensure equal access to economic
opportunities.

He envisions to pursue tax reforms towards a simpler, and more equitable, and more
efficient tax system that can foster investment and job creation. He promised to lower
personal and corporate income tax rates and relax the bank secrecy laws. He
recognized that at the household level, sufficient income for all Filipinos to meet the
basic food and non-food needs for their families is important.

Bureaucracy and Red Tape

The President also envisioned to enhance local business environment by addressing

bottlenecks in business registration and processing, streamlining investment application
process and integration the services of various government offices. He committed that
processing time in issuing permits and licenses shall be reduced to the barest minimum.

He also tasked the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to lengthen the validity of driver’s
licenses, and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to lengthen the validity of
Philippine passports. Documentary requirements shall also be streamlined.
Infrastructure Development

He intends to build more access roads and tourism gateways to service centers and
tourist sites. Road development projects shall complement with the thrust to provide
modern agriculture, irrigation facilities and establishment of modern harvest and post-
harvest facilities to minimize losses. He also espoused acceleration of infrastructure
spending by improving national roads and bridges and implementing the Mindanao
Logistics Infrastructure Network and other road network master plans, and also pursue
inter-island linkage projects. For Metro Manila, he committed to implementing structural
mitigation measures to address of the perennial flooding in Metro Manila and
neighbouring areas. New pumping stations shall be built in strategic places. The revival
of the operation of the Pasig River Ferry Service System was also mentioned as a
viable option for the severe traffic congestion in Metro Manila, serving as an alternative
mode of transportation. Upgrading and improvement of the light rails transit systems will
also be pursued.

Elsewhere, he plans to build more rail projects, such as Mindanao Rail Project, the
Davao Transit System, the Cebu Transit System, the North and South Luzon Railways
and the Panay Railways Project.

The Clark Airport is envisioned to be the main airport gateway. But it will require building
a rail system to connect Metro Manila to Clark Airport.

Related to telecommunications, he directed the newly-created Department of

Information and Communication Technology (DICT) to develop a National Broadband
Plan to accelerate the deployment of fibre optics cables and wireless technologies to
improve internet speed.

He also came up with some directives towards speeding up developments in the power
sector.

Environment
He is bent to intensify the fight against illegal logging, illegal mining and other
destructive practices that aggravate the devastation of our natural resources. The
Laguna Lake shall be transformed into a vibrant economic zone showcasing ecotourism
by addressing the negative impact of the watershed destruction, land conversion and
pollution. To have adequate disposal facilities for the Metro Manila Garbage, the final
closure and rehabilitation of the Carmona Sanitary Landfill shall be pursued while the
adoption of appropriate waste-to-energy facilities will be explored. When it comes to the
environment, he committed that the interest of the country must come first.

Education and Health

He plans to increase spending on basic education and incorporate mandatory education

about the evils of drugs, and intensify and expand Alternative Learning System (ALS)
programs. The professional competence and operational capabilities of government
hospitals and health facilities will be strengthened.

Foreign Relations in the Region

He committed to develop partnerships with nations sharing common interests and

concerns with the Philippines and maintain and sustain bilateral and multilateral
consultations and dialogues. His exact words were: “With regard to the West Philippine
Sea otherwise known as [South] China Sea, we strongly affirm and respect the outcome
of the case before the Permanent Court of Arbitration as an important contribution to the
ongoing efforts to pursue the peaceful resolution and management of our disputes.”

Federalism

He pushed for the people to consider a modified form of Federalism as the form of
government, and directed the DILG to undertake nationwide information and campaign
on federalism in partnerships with various alliances and with LGU, civil society,
grassroots and faith-based organizations. He linked it as a lasting solution to the plight
of the people of Muslim Mindanao.

Freedom of Information (FOI)

He tasked the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) to coordinate the
implementation of the recently approved Executive Order on the Freedom of
Information, which aims to make transparency and integrity as yardsticks in government
performance, savings and expenses while engaging the public to be vigilant in
participating in government programs and projects.

To better manage public information, he asked Congress to create the People’s

Broadcasting Corporation (PBC), replacing PTV-4, the government-run TV station,
which now aims to replicate international government broadcasting networks, observing
editorial independence through innovative programs and intelligent treatment and
analysis of news reports, as well as developments of national and international
significance. He aims to integrate the government’s Bureau of Broadcast Services,
better known as the Radyo ng Bayan, with the PBC. He aims to put up broadcast hubs
in the Visayas and Mindanao. Davao City will also be the first site of the first Muslim
channel, to be called Salaam Television, and the first Lumad channel.

Insights

Occasionally the President veered away from his prepared speech and spoke
extemporaneously, at times with humorous undertones. It seems to have been done
deliberately in order to connect with the person in the street. Overall it was a good
SONA that aimed to clarify to the people the directions which he plans to take regarding
the many issues and concerns faced by his administration.

It was evident that the three-pronged fight against criminality, illegal drugs and
corruption in government will be at the forefront of his attention. It is nevertheless
comforting to hear him cover the whole gamut of other issues, from environment to
foreign relations, that will need government’s attention, many of which have direct
impact on the ease of doing business in the country. He gave due attention to
inadequacy of infrastructure red tape issues, which in many ways are the sources of
culture shocks and create profound effects on the temperament of foreign investors. It
would have been also good if it was mentioned in the SONA how the present
government will replicate the success of PEZA as an effective and consistent approach.
The matter of federalism as a form of government has been a subject of prolonged
discussions in the past, but mentioning it in the SONA in the context of addressing the
concerns of the Bangsamoro people encourages the people to revisit the pros and cons
again in a different light.

He signed the Executive Order on the Freedom of Information within the first 25 days of
his term, showing the ability of his administration to act on issues with decisiveness. In a
country where strong political will is required in order to move things forward, his
leadership style might just exactly be what is needed for the Philippines to continue
rising economically and socially, following the upward trend set by the previous
government.