ShareThisChief Executivecites gains,
spells out plans, projects
By ART G. GACUTAN
MANILA (PhilamPress) – President Benigno S. Aquino III has vowed to resolve the pressing problems his administration faces in the remaining two years of his term.
Speaking during the Agenda-Setting with Dialogue Partners, which was attended by members of Congress and the Cabinet, coalition allies, leaders and representatives of various civil society organizations and business groups at Malacanang’s Rizal Hall, President Aquino focused on four issues the government is facing and the steps it is taking to resolve them.
The event was held on the eve of the President’s travel to four European countries and his fifth trip to the United States to address a United Nations conference on climate change.
First, he said, is the possible power shortage next year, brought about by a resurging economy and the El Niño weather phenomenon.
The President said he will soon ask Congress to authorize the government to contract an additional power generating capacity.
“Sa ngayon po, lahat ng iskema para masiguradong mapipigilan ang brownout ay itinutulak natin. Ang katuwiran po natin ay sakali ngang magkaroon ng pagkukulang sa kuryente, maganda nang tiyak na may pagkukunan tayo nito, kaysa aasa na lang tayo na, sana may makunan tayo kapag nagkakaproblema,” he explained.
He said he has instructed Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla to do everything to avert power outages during summer next year.
Second is the port congestion in Manila, brought about by unclaimed cargoes, the President said, adding that this has resulted in gridlock
in main thoroughfares.
In response, the government has coordinated with the local governments of Manila and the entire National Capital Region regarding the passage of trucks, and has imposed a daily fine of P5,000 for unclaimed cargoes starting October 1, among other measures, he said, noting that he has directed Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene Almendras to concentrate on solving the issue.
Third is the traffic congestion in Metro Manila, he said.
“Dumarami po ang nagkakaroon ng kakayahang bumili ng sariling sasakyan; hinahabol po natin ang pagpapagawa ng supisyenteng kalsada, pero alam po nating hindi ito sapat. Kailangan ding pagbutihin ang sistema ng pampublikong transportasyon,” the President said.
He also traced the root of the MRT problem back in 2006, when the MRT was supposed to have a general overhaul, necessary every eight years, but got a minor overhaul instead.
“Sa ngayon nga po: Gumugulong na ang proseso para sa isang malawakan at sistematikong pagsasaayos ng MRT system,” he announced.
He said 48 new coaches will arrive in a year’s time, railway tracks will be improved to ensure passenger safety, an Automatic Fare Collection System will be put in place, and queuing areas will be expanded.
Fourth is the peace and order issue, he said, adding that the government is addressing high-profile cases and has scored successes in the arrest of two suspects in the killing of race car driver Enzo Pastor, two suspects in the murder of Urbiztondo, Pangasinan Mayor Ernesto Balolong, and three suspects in the killing of hotel chain owner Richard King.
He also praised the police for reducing the number of homicide cases in the National Capital Region from 31 cases a week to 20 cases a week.
“Ang mga hakbang ukol sa mga isyung tinukoy ko ang magpapatunay: Sagad na sagad pa rin ang tutok natin sa kapakanan ng ating mga Boss. Hindi tayo lilihis sa tuwid na landas; ang tuon natin: Hindi pulitika, kundi resulta; hindi pag-iingay, kundi kongkretong tugon sa mga suliranin ng ating mga Boss; hindi ambisyon, kundi serbisyong pampubliko at tunay na pagmamahal sa ating bansa,” President Aquino said.
The President said his administration has made great strides in instituting reforms in terms of education, infrastructure, and social welfare, among others.
“Noong tayo’y kinukumbinsing tumakbo, ang mungkahi, umpisahan lang natin ang pagbabago, ayos na. Ngayon, napakalayo na po talaga ng narating natin mula nang magsimula tayo; talaga pong lampas-lampas pa ito sa ating mga unang inasam,” he told his estimated 400 guests, consisting of members of Congress and the Cabinet, coalition allies, leaders and representatives of the various civil society organizations and business groups.
Given his administration’s accomplishments, the President said he faces the question of who would continue the reforms the government has put in place.
“Kaya nga po, sa mga nagtatanong kung sino ang magpapatuloy: Baka naman po nagkakamali tayo ng tanong; baka hindi talaga ‘sino’ ang dapat nating hanapin—dahil walang ibang sagot sa tanong na iyan kundi ‘tayong lahat ang magpapatuloy nito’,” he said.
The President then outlined the issues the government is facing — the possible power shortage, the port congestion in Manila, the improvement of the light railway system, and the peace and order situation — and the steps the administration has taken to solve them.
“Ang mga hakbang ukol sa mga isyung tinukoy ko ang magpapatunay: Sagad na sagad pa rin ang tutok natin sa kapakanan ng ating mga Boss. Hindi tayo lilihis sa tuwid na landas; ang tuon natin ay hindi pulitika, kundi resulta; hindi pag-iingay, kundi kongkretong tugon sa mga suliranin ng ating mga Boss; hindi ambisyon, kundi serbisyong pampubliko at tunay na pagmamahal sa ating bansa,” he said.
He also slammed his administration’s detractors, saying they should instead help the government in transforming the nation.
“Ang problema po, tuloy ang pagkontra nila habang tayo’y nagtatanim, pero tiyak ko po, pagdating sa panahon na aanihin na ang mga bunga nito, sila pa ang mangunguna sa pagpapa-papel,” he said.
The President called on his guests to continue to strive to make reforms.
“Kailangan lang po talagang araw-araw nating pag-ibayuhin ang pagsisikap, kailangan nating doblehin ang pagkayod, kailangan nating idiin sa taumbayan na itong tuwid na landas, itong agenda ng reporma at ng tapat at mabuting pamamahala, ito lamang ang tanging paraan para magpatuloy ang ating paglalakbay tungo sa katuparan ng ating mga pangarap,” he said.
Earlier, House of Representatives Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr. said in his remarks that the event was an opportunity for them to view the country’s position in the next two years, as well as to unite and succeed in their endeavors.
For his part, Senate President Franklin Drilon said their mission for the next two years is to safeguard the reforms that the President has painstakingly put in place, so they could be preserved beyond 2016.
“We will make sure that the next leadership will continue these reforms so that their fruits will be enjoyed by this generation and the generation yet unborn,” Drilon said
President Aquino said it is not his sole obligation to continue the ongoing reforms in the country, instead every Filipino must take part in the nation’s transformation.
The President said he has been receiving text messages, saying it is his duty to ensure that reforms continue.
He however said he believes that it is the obligation of the entire nation to sustain these changes.
“Kaya nga po, sa mga nagtatanong kung sino ang magpapatuloy: Baka naman po nagkakamali tayo ng tanong; baka hindi talaga ‘sino’ ang dapat nating hanapin—dahil walang ibang sagot sa tanong na iyan kundi ‘tayong lahat ang magpapatuloy nito’,” the President said.
The administration’s mission, he said, is to implement fully the reforms in government to show the “Bosses” that the only way to achieve the country’s goals is by traversing the righteous path.
“Lalo pa nating pag-ibayuhin ang pagsisikap; huwag po tayong makuntento sa ating narating; siguruhin natin na ang nararating natin ay hindi na maglalaho pa, at bagkus ay lalong lalawak at lalong lalalim,” the President said.
He earlier said that before he came into office in 2010, the country was mired in corruption that hopelessness was prevalent among Filipinos.
As the government carried out reform measures, the country posted successes in such areas as in education, health care, social protection, infrastructure development, peace and order, job generation, and many others, he said.
“Kung dati, manhid na ang Pilipino at wala nang ganang makilahok sa paghubog ng lipunan, ngayon po ay talagang buhay na buhay ang ating demokrasya,” he noted.
The President called on his guests, consisting of members of Congress and the Cabinet, coalition allies, leaders and representatives of the various civil society organizations and business groups, to continue making reforms.
“Kailangan lang po talagang araw-araw nating pag-ibayuhin ang pagsisikap, kailangan nating doblehin ang pagkayod, kailangan nating idiin sa taumbayan na itong tuwid na landas, itong agenda ng reporma at ng tapat at mabuting pamamahala, ito lamang ang tanging paraan para magpatuloy ang ating paglalakbay tungo sa katuparan ng ating mga pangarap,” President Aquino said.