We hope that this would indeed be the last SoNA. According to reports, the president will not talk about political issues – Charter change or even her own political plans after her term. Rather, she will focus on the economy, education, the status of the infrastructure projects, and a report card on her accomplishments.
Former Senator Franklin Drilon who was executive secretary during the Cory administration, urges her to come up with a transition program such as what President Cory had done 12 months before ending her term. The transition program involved three tracks – effective management of the macro-political and economic situation in the first half of 1992; provision of technical and administrative assistance to ensure an orderly beginning for the next administration; and documentation of the accomplishments of the Aquino administration. This is to ensure a smooth, peaceful and orderly transition of power to her successor.
We can expect that public perception of GMA’s performance will follow the trend obtained in surveys by SWS and Pulse Asia. However, views from sectoral experts vary with allies in the administration giving her a more favorable score. Former Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno gives the President a failing grade in almost all categories – management of budget, population, education, foreign debt and other economic issues while Governor Joey Salceda is more upbeat, giving her a more positive grade. Former NEDA Secretary Cayetano Paderanga Jr. describes the GMA macro-economic record as “mixed” – a “few hits here, a few misses there.” The Makati Business Club gives her a negative grade but the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry gives her report card a more than passing grade.
I tried to answer the Inquirer’s survey on the 5 categories – fighting graft and corruption, reducing poverty, keeping peace and order, enforcing the law equally and delivery of social services, and my response was “Has done little in all categories.” At least, I did not say “none at all” as I recognize some positive initiatives (resources allocated, legal and fiscal structures). But they are not enough.
Either, the resources were inefficiently managed, or that there was insufficient political will to implement the programs. National and international surveys continue to show that graft and corruption had worsened. People do not feel that they are better off today than they were before. The next president will be faced with the challenge of resolving the conflict in Mindanao. Many still perceive that those who have more in life have greater access to justice and the benefits of development. There are laudable initiatives in the delivery of social services – and tangible benefits too, but still, a large percentage among the poor feel they have little access to services and opportunities.
We agree that the country is now on a higher growth track – in fact, higher than it has been during the past three administrations. But this is attributed to remittances of overseas Filipinos rather than strategic and pivotal government policies, according to Paderanga who further notes that growth is primarily consumption and service-oriented, rather than investment and export-oriented. Unless a shift occurs, we cannot expect a sustainable growth. In the next 10 months, and in the subsequent administration, we agree with economists that the most critical challenge is that of being able to ensure adequate education and training to a large percentage of our unemployed and underemployed. This would enable them to take advantage of opportunities provided by new technologies and markets – business process outsourcing, and other industries.Credits to:
http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/212583/gma-s-9th-and-last-sona
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