During the commemoration of the 26th year of the EDSA People Power Revolution last February 25, President Benigno Aquino III disproved speculations that his administration is going lax on leading the country towards economic progress.
Aquino was proud to say that during the 19 months of service as President, things have started to look up for the economy of the Philippines. He cited the P439 billion worth of investments that went into the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) last year. He also added that the amount made up 22 percent of the total investments that were put into the Peza for the last 16 years.
Aquino further cited some of the instances wherein different credit rating agencies such as Moody’s, Standard and Poors, Fitch have upgraded the credit rating of the country on several accounts. This, he stressed, was not simply out of chance, but an indication that the 19-month old administration’s reforms are providing results for the economy of the country.
Because of the affordability of doing business in the country, the Aquino later on added the recent commendation of the Japan External Trade Organization. The Japanese organization stated that the country is an ideal destination for doing business in Asia not only because of the ease of doing business, but also because of the competitive and skilled workers in the country.
The President hopes that with all these achievements, speculations that the his administration became too preoccupied with going after officials suspected for graft and corruption will be laid to rest.
Saddened by the current division of the branches of the government brought about by the impeachment of Chief Justice Renato Corona, former President Fidel Ramos said at the sidelines of the EDSA celebration said that impeachment trial alone will not solve poverty in the country.
“Because there are still beggars, there are still starving people and there are still jobless people, impeachment will not solve the problem of poverty, inequity and lack of jobs and a declining economy.”
Deputy spokesman Abigail Valte said over a radio interview in dzRB that while the incumbent administration admits that impeachment will not directly solve poverty, accountability is one of the essential steps in achieving needed reforms in the government.
To further address the issue of poverty, Aquino plans reach out to more Filipinos via the conditional cash transfer program. Last year, 2.3 million families benefitted from the program according to the President. Believing that every Filipino lifted from poverty will be considered as partner towards economic progress, Aquino said that the government plans to extend the CCT to 3 million families more this year.
Impressive figures and numbers do not mean anything if the development is not felt by the people. However, one also needs to be reminded that the current administration still calls for more time to prove that it can actually deliver what it promised. With several years more granted upon the current administration to fulfill its duties, only the Filipinos can ultimately tell if the “PNoy Magic” is only by chance or by capability.
(www.asianjournal.com)
(OCIE Mar 2-8, 2012 Sec A pg. 6)
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