SONA of achievements, plans
• Prepared speech is 14 pages • If read, SONA will last 35 minutes • Duterte to be ‘unpredictable’
The entire nation is expected to be glued to their television sets and on different social media platforms in anticipation of President Duterte’s third State of the Nation Address (SONA) today.
The President is expected to read a 14-page prepared speech that is reported to not last more than 35 minutes. This is shorter compared to the President’s semi-extemporaneous two-hour speech last year.
According to Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque, Duterte’s third SONA will center on the President’s plans as the achievements of the administration were already reported during the pre-SONA briefings the past three weeks.
“Traditionally, the SONA is a highlight of achievements of the previous year but this year’s SONA is all about the essentials on what PRRD intends to do in the next twelve months of his Administration,” Roque said Saturday evening.
“What sets the 2018 SONA apart from the previous SONAs of past Presidents is the holding of a threepart series pre-SONA Forum, ‘Tatak ng Pagbabago,’ where the Administration’s accomplishments have been spelled out,” he added.
The Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) also said that the public can still expect an “exciting” SONA due to the President’s unpredictability.
“We’re looking into having a SONA na it’s not as exciting as the first. But of course, coming from a President who is very unpredictable – it does make it so exciting,” PCOO Assistant Secretary Marie Banaag had said.
According to Special Assistant to the President Chris-
topher Go, he is certain that Duterte will be talking about his earlier campaign promises, and his plans for the country.
“I am sure the President will be reporting what he has done the past two years, specifically on the war on drugs, crime and corruption,” he said.
“He will also [be] talking about the programs he has implemented, especially those that require a leader with the political will, since these are for the greatest good of the majority,” he added.
Duterte rehearsed his speech Sunday afternoon in Malacañang. Unlike his first two SONAs, Duterte’s third SONA will now be directed by film and TV director Joyce Bernal for free.
The lady director said that she wants the people watching from their homes to feel that they are part of the promised change.
Accomplishment report Two nights before Duterte delivers his third SONA, Malacañang released a 68-page report on the administration’s key accomplishments since it took off in July, 2016.
According to Malacañang, the report, sent to reporters Saturday evening, and another version sent Sunday pre-dawn, is its “contribution” to provide the people with updates on Duterte’s key accomplishments.
“It highlights the cornerstones of this administration, including law and order, lasting peace, and prosperity for all, with the end goal of making Filipinos’ lives more comfortable,” it said in the report.
Malacañang said that the Duterte administration is dedicated to solving the country’s problems, and assured the public that it will remain committed to fulfilling Duterte’s promises.
“Two years into President Duterte’s term of office, this administration remains dedicated to putting an end to the decadesold problems on illegal drugs, criminality, and corruption in government. It also continues to initiate efforts to address poverty and inequality across the nation,” it said.
“We assure our people that the government will remain proactive in fulfilling the President’s vision for the Philippines,” it added.
Economic and infra dev’t In the report, Malacañang citing the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), said that 90.6 percent or 13.414 trillion of the 13.767-trillion total budget has been released as of the first half of 2018. This is higher than the 84.3 percent recorded in the same period of 2017.
The Department of Finance (DOF) reported that the Bureaus of Internal Revenue (BIR), of Customs (BOC), and of Treasury (BTr) have increased their revenue collections in the first five months of 2018.
Data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) revealed that foreign direct investment (FDI) net inflows amounted to US$2.2 billion for the first quarter of 2018. This presents a 43.5percent increase from US$1.5 billion in the same period in 2017.
The BSP also reported a 12.9-percent year-on-year increase, reaching an amount of US$2.6 billion, in its April, 2018 personal remittances from Overseas Filipinos. This is higher compared to US$2.32 billion worth of personal remittances in 2017 of the same month.
Malacañang also took note of the signing of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Act last December 2017. The TRAIN is the first package of a comprehensive program which aims to make the tax system simpler, fairer, and more efficient. It is also aimed to fund better education and healthcare for all Filipinos and fund world-class infrastructure to sustain our rapid economic growth.
The Palace also commended the March, 2018 DOF report which said that revenue from tax collections in 2017 reached 12.251 trillion, which represents 14.25 percent of gross domestic product (GDP). This is considered as the highest tax effort in 10 years.
It also took note of improvements at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). Citing a travel website, the Palace said that NAIA is no longer included in the top 20 worst airports in the world. It also cited a Skytrax report which placed NAIA at the 10th spot in the World Airport Awards for Most Improved Airports in the World 2018.
The report also listed down the inauguration and completion of public works and infrastructure that are now accessible to the public, including the completion of the widening of the 4.75-kilometer section of Radial Road 10 (R-10) in Manila. According to the Department of Public Works and Highways, the completion of the said project reduced travel time between Manila and Navotas City from one hour to 30 minutes.
This year, Duterte signed the Ease of Doing Business Act which aims to shorten the number of days in processing permits and licenses for all business-related transactions. The law also includes a two-strike policy for government officials who will fail to issue permits in the given period.
Fight against illegal drugs On Duterte’s campaign promise to end illegal drugs, Malacañang said that a total of 102,630 anti-illegal drugs operations were conducted as of June 30, 2018.
The report mentioned that 147,802 drug personalities were arrested while 6,562 barangays were declared drug-free. It also said that 121.29 billion worth of illegal drugs and paraphernalia were sized.
The report, however, did not mention the number of persons killed during drug operations.
Lowering crimes According to Malacañang, the Philippine National Police (PNP) reported a 46.95-percent decrease in index crime volume from July 2014-June 2016 to July 2016-June, 2018. The said period recorded 401,112, while the July 2016-June, 2018 period recorded 212,773 index crimes.
Terrorism Malacañang also noted of the accomplishments of the Department of National Defense (DND) in the five-month war in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur against ISIS-inspired terrorists.
The report said that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) were able to neutralize 920 members of the terrorist groups, and rescue 1,777 hostages. The AFP also seized 855 firearms, 12 kilos of shabu, and 2,000 unexploded ordnance and improvised explosive devices.
The PNP, meanwhile, has arrested 35 Maute-ISIS members, rescued 141 hostages and recovered 106 bodies. They were also able to confiscate 47 firearms and ammunition, and 594 unexploded ordnance, among others.
The demise of Isnilon Hapilon, the reported emir of the ISIS in Southeast Asia, and the Maute brothers signaled the end of the five-month war in Marawi City.
Health
The report made mention of Duterte’s issuance of Executive Order No. 28 in June 2017 which provides for the regulation of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices. Duterte also signed last May, 2017 Executive Order No. 26 which provides for the establishment of smoke-free environment.
Foreign affairs
Included in the report is the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Philippines and Kuwait. Both countries agreed to “uphold ethical recruitment policies, systems, and procedures for the recruitment and employment of domestic workers, subject to the applicable laws and regulations of both parties.”
Education
One of the key accomplishments is the signing of the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act which enables 1.3 million students enrolled in 112 state and local universities and colleges (SUCs and LUCs) to enjoy free tuition and miscellaneous fees beginning academic year 2018-2019.
Environment
Among the key accomplishment listed under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is the six-month closure of the Boracay Island to give way to its rehabilitation.
Along with the Department of Tourism (DOT), and the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the government rehabilitation entails the removal of illegal pipes, clearing of illegal structures, road widening, rehabilitation of wastewater management system, rehabilitation of forest and wetland easements, and management of solid waste.