Hunger rate drops, says SWS; Give me a ‘good successor,’says PNoy

THE Social Weather Station says that the country’s self-rated hunger rate has dropped further to 12.7 percent, the lowest so far in 10 years.

Less hunger and less tears for our Pinoy brothers and sisters.

*** The latest SWS survey ( June 5 to 8) says that 12.7 percent of respondents or about 2.8 million families claim to have experienced involuntary hunger at least once in the past three months.

It is 0.8 point below the 13.5 percent recorded in March and the lowest since May 2005 ( 12 percent), cites the SWS.

Drop in figures noted. More improvement needed.

*** The SWS points out that the total hunger rate is composed of 10.8 percent (about 2.4 million families) who experienced “moderate hunger” and 1.9 percent (431,000 families) who experienced “severe hunger.”

“No more hunger, no more tears,” as a song wishes.

*** Malacañang welcomes the survey results, saying, “We hope that this will continue, as the administration further ramps up its efforts to implement programs and policies that will contribute to a better overall quality of life for our citizens,”

Yes to more effective anti-hunger and anti-poverty programs for Pinoys.

*** Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte points out that “Since President Aquino took over in 2010, the administration has been pressing forward in its goal of inclusive growth, toward a future where no one is left behind.”

Yes, let’s leave no one hungry in a corner.

*** Malacañang cites the expanded Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, now covering over 4.4 million households, as an example of the government’s commitment and investments in human development, empowering beneficiaries to better take care of themselves.

Yes to honest-to-goodness cash transfer and employment programs for the poor.

*** The Palace says that the President is now reviewing accomplishment reports and priorities to be stressed in his last State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, July 27.

Time to look back and time to look forward. The big challenge of ‘ last two minutes.’

*** The President “reiterated his desire for all of us to continue working together and that he believes that, like him, we can and will do what is best for our country, “Sen. Grace Poe discloses after a recent meeting with Mr. Aquino III.

PNoy is thinking about his legacy and continuity of reforms.

***

The President says he is planning to endorse a presidential candidate in 2016 polls.

I want a “good successor,” and no fooling around please, PNoy

stresses.

***

PNoy and the ruling Liberal Party are considering Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas, the “sentimental choice” of the party, and independent Sen. Poe, survey frontrunner, as possible presidential bets and administration tandem against leading opposition bet Vice-President Jejomar Binay and tandem.

Let’s have the best person for Malacanang and for “Tuwid na Daan,” PNoy insists.

***

As this develops, the President signs two landmark economic legislations authored by Sen. Bam Aquino and the late Tarlac Rep. Enrique Cojuangco to promote fair business competition and push the country’s economic growth.

Not for Kamag-anak Inc. but for the good of Philippines Inc., he jokes.

***

Senate President Franklin Drilon says the signing of Republic Act No. 10667 the Philippine Competition Act of 2015, and Republic Act No. 10668, amending, the 50-year-old Cabotage Law, will play critical roles in advancing the country’s progress and readiness for the ASEAN Economic Integration.

Level playing field and time for economic growth.

***

Likewise, Speaker Sonny Belmonte assures that the proposed 2016 national budget will not be tainted with lump-sum or “pork” allocations as feared by opposition leaders.

Transparency is the best budgetary policy.