Courtesy of GMANetwork
HIGHLIGHTS OF PNOY 2012 SONA
- President Aquino mentioned perks for GOCCs, PAGCOR ‘coffee scam’, and secondhand helicopters sold to PNP as brand-new.
- Aquino cited economic achievements, including the $1 billion loan the Philippines granted to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
- Free education - 4.57 million students who could not go to school before due to poverty are now able to study.
- 85% of Filipinos are now Philhealth members.
- Government expanding health services; PhilHealth extends coverage to cancer and leukemia patients.
- More than 30,000 nurses deployed to over 36,000 barangays.
- DOST Secretary Mario Montejo and DOH Secretary Enrique Ona lauded for the success of mosquito traps in bringing down the number of dengue cases in the country.
- Congress urged to to pass sin tax reform bill to raise taxes on cigarettes and liquor.
- Backlog of over 2 million chairs to be addressed by 2012; backlog of over 66,000 classrooms to be addressed by 2013.
- The president received applause, standing ovation upon mention of responsible parenthood bill (or RH Bill).
- State universities and colleges will get a 43.61% budget increase in 2013.
- TESDA Secretary Joel Villanueva commended for reforms and effective implementation of technical education scholarships and other vital programs.
- Inherited 8% unemployment rate has reduced to 6.9%.
- During Aquino’s term, 3.1 million jobs were created.
- Construction of Bohol airport in Panglao, Legaspi airport in Daraga, and Laguindingan airport in Misamis Oriental in 2016 mentioned.
- LRT Line 1 Cavite Extension Project has started in June 2012.
- NAIA-3 structural defects to be addressed.
- SLEX-NLEX connector to be completed by 2015.
- Better implementation of bidding process at DPWH cited; infrastructure being improved without raising taxes.
- Target of 4.6 million tourists for 2012 set.
- DOT’s “It’s More Fun In The Philippines” tourism campaign lauded.
- Pres. Aquino hopes that country can export rice in 2013.
- Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program cited.
- 1,520 sitios have been provided with electricity within 90 days.
- When he assumed office, 45% of policemen had no guns; 74,600 new guns to be added for the police force.
- On the AFP modernization: Hi-tech and better quality patrol and war ships; new helicopters, radio and communication equipment, frigates, light aircraft will be acquired.
- VTRs of housing and Conditional Cash Tranfer (CCT) beneficiaries shown during the SONA.
- No more cash advances allowed in government agencies.
- Voters list cleaned up; no more ghosts voters; officer-in-charge Governor Mujiv Hataman commended for reforms in the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
- DOST/PAGASA’s Project NOAH cited, disaster preparedness in the country has improved.
- By 2013, 600 rain gauges and 422 water level sensors will beinstalled at 18 main river basins.
- 1.5 million hectares of trees to be planted by 2016.
- Executive Order on mining cited.
- Illegal loggers warned: “Kayong mga isinusugal ang buhay ng kapwa Pilipino: maghanda na kayo. Tapos na ang maliligayang araw ninyo.”
- Pres. Aquino assures government workers of provision of benefits; unveils ‘performance based incentives’ for state workers.
- Bonus of goverment workers this year will be based on achieved targets.
- Old-age and disability pensioners will receive at least P5,000 per month.
- Progress will continue with fairness, consistency in governance.
- Territorial dispute with China particularly in the West Philippine Sea mentioned.
- Aquino said Philippines will protect and uphold its national sovereignty and territorial authority.
- “Forgive and forget ang lahat ng atraso ng mga naglubog sa atin sa bulok na estado? Ang magpatawad, maaari; ang makalimot, hindi.”
- PNoy also mentioned the filing of plunder charges against former-president Gloria Arroyo, the impeachment of Renato Corona as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, and the search for the latter’s replacement.
- Pres. Aquino likewise lauded Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales for fighting graft.
- PNoy called on Congress to pass amendments to the Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA).
- President Aquino tackled electoral reforms for the 2013 polls.
- Aquino: Filipinos made change possible; change comes from the citizenry.
