By Leslie D. Venzon
MANILA, July 27 (PNA) — President Benigno S. Aquino III on Monday said his administration will continue pursuing good governance reforms imperative to transform the Philippines from developing into First World country.
“Nakikita po ninyo, kung hindi tayo maaantala, kung magtutuloy ang Daang Matuwid, sa loob lang ng isang henerasyon, first world na tayo. Kung magpapatuloy ang mga repormang bukal ng paglago ng ekonomiya, paglaon, ang tinitingala nating mga bansa, makakapantay na natin, kundi man malalampasan,” the President said during his sixth and last State-of-the-Nation Address (SONA).
President Aquino stressed that the Philippines is now the “Asia’s Rising Tiger”, “Asia’s Rising Star”, and “Asia’s Bright Spot” considering its rapidly expanding economy and improving global competitiveness rankings.
The Chief Executive cited the result of a recent Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey indicating that eight of 10 Filipinos believed that the Philippines would become one of the developed countries in the world in the future.
“Ito po, pananaw ng ating mga kababayan. Pero ang mga ekonomista po mismo ng NEDA (National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), pinag-aralan ito sa siyentipikong paraan, at pareho ang kanilang kongklusyon,” he said.
The Chief Executive said the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) averaged 6.2 percent from 2010 to 2014, the highest economic growth posted in 40 years.
President Aquino said a 6.8-percent GDP this year will enable the country achieve the highest six-year average growth in almost six decades.
“Siyempre po, ang pag-angat ng ekonomiya, may katumbas na pag-angat ng kakayahan ng gobyernong kumalinga at magbigay-lakas sa mamamayan upang masagad ang mga bumubukas na pagkakataon,” the President.
The country’s GDP slowed down to 5.2 percent in the first quarter of 2015 from last year’s 5.6 percent due to weak government spending and lower exports.
Government economic planners target a seven to eight percent GDP growth this year. (PNA)