CHICAGO, Illinois, May 7 (PNA) — President Benigno S. Aquino III on Wednesday afternoon (Thursday in Manila) reported to the Filipino community here some of the positive developments in the Philippines, saying that the country has undergone a radical transformation since 2010.
The President updated his compatriots on the major changes in the Philippines, attributing these to good governance and the reform measures carried out by his administration since he assumed office in 2010.
In his speech, President Aquino said the government has made major strides in its fight against corruption, noting that a total of 637 cases have been filed under the Department of Finance’s Revenue Integrity Protection Service (RIPS) program, the Bureau of Customs’ Run After the Smugglers (RATS) program, and the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s Run After Tax Evaders (RATE) program, among others.
“Nabalitaan na rin po siguro ninyo na ang mga kilalang politikong dating itinuturing na ‘untouchable’ sa pamahalaan, ngayon, nasa kani-kanila nang mga piitan, at kung hindi man po ay naka-hospital arrest,” the President said during the event, held at the JW Marriott Chicago.
On the government’s anti-corruption drive, President Aquino noted that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has saved P39 billion following reforms implemented by its leaders.
The Philippines, he said, has also improved its ranking in the Transparency International Corruption Perception Index, climbing to 85th place among the least corrupt from its 130th ranking in 2010.
Even the international community is noticing the government’s commitment to good governance, he said.
“Ang atin nga pong batayang prinsipyo: Good governance equals good economics, equals good quality inclusive growth. Kaya po sa usaping pang-ekonomiya, kalimutan na natin ang bansag na Sick Man of Asia; ang turing sa atin ng ibang bansa ngayon, Darling of Asia,” he said.
The President further reported that since 2010, the Philippines has moved up 33 spots in the World Economic Forum Global Competitiveness Report, and 49 spots in the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Report.
A Bloomberg survey of economists also showed that the Philippines is emerging as the second fastest-growing economy in the world this year, he added.
“Talaga pong makasaysayan po itong mga nakakamit natin: Mula 2010 hanggang 2014, nagtala tayo ng average GDP growth na 6.3 percent. Ito po ang pinakamabilis na paglago ng ating ekonomiya sa loob ng nakaraang 40 taon,” he said.
“Ang target naman natin: 7 to 8 percent GDP growth ngayong 2015. Sabi po ng ating economic managers, kapag naabot natin ito, ang resultang 6-year average ang magiging pinakamabilis na paglago ng ating ekonomiya mula pa 1955, o sa loob ng nakalipas na 60 taon.”
President Aquino also reported that foreign direct investments reached an all-time high of US$ 6.2 billion in 2014.
“Tingnan po ninyo: Kapag maunlad ang ekonomiya, tataas ang kompiyansa ng investors na tumaya sa bansa. Dadami ang mga bagong negosyo; dadami rin ang malilikhang trabaho. Ang resulta: Higit na oportunidad sa pag-asenso para sa mas maraming Pilipino. At kakabit nito, siyempre, lalago rin ang buwis na makokolekta ng inyong gobyerno,” he said.
“Ibig-sabihin, madadagdagan din ang maitatayo nating mga imprastruktura, at iigting ang serbisyong panlipunan. Ito naman pong mga serbisyong panlipunan na ito, magbubunga ng mas edukado, mas malusog, at mas ligtas na Pilipino; maitututok na ng mga kababayan natin ang enerhiya nila sa pag-abot ng kanilang potensyal, kaysa sa pag-intindi sa mga pangunahin nilang pangangailangan.”
To ensure that the economic opportunities and benefits reach the Filipino people, particularly the poor and the vulnerable, President Aquino said the government has increased the budget allocation for social services.
The government, he said, has expanded the scope of the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) Program from 800,000 household beneficiaries to 4.43 million today. The government has also extended the PhilHealth coverage.
On the education sector, the government has already addressed the shortage of 66,800 classrooms, and had closed the backlog of 61.7 million textbooks and 2.5 million chairs as early as 2012.
“Siyempre po, pati mga pangangailangan sa ating napipintong K to 12 Basic Education Program, dinagdagan po natin ng dalawang taon ng ating basic education program, inumpisahan punuin na rin para sa taong 2014 at 2015, nakapaglaan po tayo ng budget na Php45.62 billion para makapagtayo ng 29,800 classrooms, at Php560 million naman para sa 800,000 na upuan para din sa eskwelahan,” he said.
Moreover, President Aquino said that from 2010, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) has produced more than 7.4 million graduates under its technical and vocational education and training program.
“Ang atin nga pong pagtutok sa ekonomiya, katambal ng pagpapaigting ng ating human development agenda, tunay nang nanganganak ng mga positibong bunga,” he said.
President Aquino enjoined Filipinos living and working in Chicago to continue helping his administration in achieving sustainable progress. (PNA)