By Roel T. Amazona
TACLOBAN CITY, July 26 (PNA) – The Aquino administration have done a good job in making the economy strong and fighting corruption, according to local officials in Eastern Visayas.
This achievement of the government is what they are expecting to hear from the President during Monday’s State of the Nation Address (SONA).
“There was an economic resurgence under his term,” said Leyte Governor Leopoldo Dominico Petilla, who linked this achievement to the anti-corruption campaign and efficient tax collection that is useful in generating fund for government projects.
Philippine Councilor League-Eastern Visayas Chapter President Wilson Uy agreed to the governor’s observation on economic development of the country, citing his personal view as a businessman.
Uy said that it is only in the term of Aquino where businessmen had confidence in putting up more investments due to support of the government in lowering the loan interest payment.
“Like me, a small businessman, it gives me confidence to apply for a loan because of minimal interest, which we experience only in this government,” said Uy.
At present loan interest per year is at six percent compared to previous administration’s 14 percent to 20 percent, discouraging businessmen to acquire loan to expand operations, according to Uy.
On the anti-corruption campaign of the government, Leyte Vice-Governor Carlo Loreto said that it is a start of a change in the government that needs to be continued.
Government officials have faced charges, which provided credibility to the government’s slogan “Tuwid na Daan,” a campaign that brings back the trust of people to the state, according to Loreto.
Although, government anti-corruption campaign has a positive impact to the country, Pinabacdao, Samar municipal mayor Mario Quijano said that it also has a negative impact to the government.
Since it was implemented by the government, releases of fund for government project has been slow due meticulous process, resulting to the delay of its implementation.
“This is understandable because the government really pushes the anti-corruption practices and urging local governemnt to follow proper bidding and do streamlining to get away from the source of corruption before,” Quijano observed.
Although this maybe become the weak point of Aquino’s administration, Quijano said that the government is on the right track and they should be supported.
“It still needs a lot of work and this cannot be done in six years. At least the start is there,” Quijano said. (PNA)