PNoy highlights DAP benefits, economic gains in fifth

SONA
President Benigno Aquino III on Monday emphasized the
benefits from the controversial Disbursement Acceleration
Program (DAP) and the country's economic growth in his
fifth State of the Nation Address.
As in previous years, Aquino started his speech by
recalling the problems he inherited from the past
administration, which he said left Filipinos in a sorry state.
He then cited the benefits of DAP for the scholars of the
Technical Education and Skills Development Authority
(TESDA), saying P1.6 billion went to the Training for Work
scholarship program and benefited 223,615 scholars.
He said tax collection increased from P1.094 trillion in
2010, when he assumed office, to P1.536 trillion last year
due to improved revenue collection efforts.
Aquino added that the government had doubled its
budget for infrastructure from P200 billion in 2011 to
P404.3 billion this year.
RECAP : President Aquinos State of the Nation Address
2014
With two years left in his term, President Benigno Aquino
III delivered on Monday his fifth State of the Nation
Address before members of the 16th Congress gathered
for their second joint session at the Batasan Complex.
Among the topics the President was expected to tackle in
his SONA are the administration's strategies for inclusive
growth, climate change adaptation measures, and anticorruption and goodgovernance efforts.
Aquino looks back at the years prior to his administration:
patong-patong na tongpats, Philippines called the sick
man of Asia, few jobs. Many Filipinos had to seek jobs
abroad.
Aquino says he has to look out for the interest and points
of view of many people. He says it is not an easy job, and
admits "tao lang ako." Still, he focuses on serving the
public, "ang taumbayan, sa lahat ng panahon."
He starts citing his government's accomplishments:
TESDA scholars have been trained and given jobs through
the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP), with the
cost of training pegged at P7,155 per student.
He adds the poverty incidence rate has gone down since
the first semester of 2012.
Aquino says tax collection increased even though the
government did not raise taxes, except for sin taxes.
Aquino says the debt-to-GDP ratio went down during his
term.
Aquino says P3.58B has been released for the
rehabilitation of Bohol and Cebu after an earthquake
caused much destruction.
Aquino recalls super typhoon Yolanda, which caused
massive destruction in Eastern Visayas and affected 1.47
million families. Yolanda has paralyzed LGUs since they
were also victims. Rapid health assistance teams from
the Department of Health and military personnel arrived
on the second day and one million food packs were
delivered to typhoon victims after two weeks.
Aquino cites the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement
on the Bangsamoro. He says P5.17-B has been earmarked
for road projects in the Autonomous Region in Muslim
Mindanao (ARMM). He also asked for understanding from
Congress for the delay in transmitting a draft of the

Bangsamoro Basic Law, explaining they want to make

sure it can stand scrutiny.
Aquino says tons of rice have been imported to boost
stock in the country and help drive down its price in the
market.
Aquino says they are pushing for the passing of the
supplemental budget for 2014 to ensure the continuity of
projects.
Aquino tells the audience to choose, in 2016, as his
successor someone who without a doubt will continue the
projects his administration has started.
Aquino recalls the sacrifices of his parents, former
President Cory Aquino and the slain senator Ninoy Aquino.
He borrows the words of his father and says the Filipino is
worth
dying
for,
living
for,
fighting
for.
Aquino ends his speech by reminding Filipinos they are
the key to the country's progress.
It will be up to the Filipino people whether the reforms that
the Aquino administration would continue in the next six
years after 2016.
President Benigno Aquino III on Monday said poverty
incidence in 2013 went down to 24.9 percent from 27.9 in
2012 or a difference of three percentage points and
assured that his administration would continue to provide
assistance to those are able to get out of the poverty line.
President Benigno Aquino III also commended Department
of Labor and Employment Secretary Linda Baldoz, for
decreasing the number of workers' strikes in the country.
Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said
Aquino would likely tackle development priorities under
the framework developed by his administration to achieve
inclusive growth before the President ends his term in
2016. These priorities include areas such as livelihood,
social welfare and protection, and peace and order, the
Palace official added. He said the President was personally
checking drafts of his upcoming speech, which could also
include climate change adaptation measures due
to recent natural disasters that hit the country. Aquino is
also expected to talk about his government's anticorruption and good governance efforts.
President Aquino on Monday, July 28, 2014 delivered his
fifth State of the Nation Address ( SONA). Lawmakers and
guests at Batasan Pambansa gave him at least 85 rounds
of applause for his 1.5hrs speech.
Philippine President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino delivered
his fifth State of the Nation Address on Monday, July 28,
2014 at the Batasan Pambansa in front of joint session of
the Upper and Lower House of countrys Legislative
Branch of Government. The SONA 2014 is one of the
highly anticipated date of the administration, as the head
of state reports his accomplishments and plans for the
country. During the entire SONA, the President received a
total of 85 rounds of applause.
Aquino cites economic gains under his four-year watch
He also said 42-percent of all funds for the Philippine
Economic Zone Authority that were poured into the area
since 1995 happened in the first four years of his
administration.
PNoy
said
that
the
budget
for
infrastructure
has more than double. A total of 12,184 km national
roads were done. He cites DPWH Sec. Singson for cutting
corruption in infrastructure projects. "Bawal ang tongpats,
bawal ang bukol."

SONA 2014 highlights the achievements of the

government on education, social services, economy,
improvement, infrastructure, calamity efforts, jobs,
rehabilitation
after
typhoons
and
earthquake,
modernization of AFP, security, ARMM Bangsamoro and
livelihood.
According to him, the poverty incidence went down to
24.9% in the first quarter of 2013.

Philippines became one of the leading countries in Asia

for its growth in GDP and GNP.
He also noted that the employment rate of the country
had increased and reflects how his administration handled
the labor policies.