Aquino urges successor to sustain positive transformation

After showing how good governance works and the success it has brought to the country, President Aquino reminded the incoming administration that Filipinos expect nothing less.

The President credited the Filipinos for the country’s positive transformation, saying that an empowered

nation would demand a similar good governance and true service from the Duterte administration.

“It is because of our fellow Filipinos that we have transformed our country. This is not only a literal transformation of governance that empowers our people so that inclusive growth becomes more and more a reality,” Aquino said at the closing ceremonies of the National Millennium Challenge Corporation Compact closing in Malacañang Tuesday.

“Perhaps more importantly, there has also been a significant change in attitude. Now, our people are empowered to participate, to speak out, and to demand good governance and true service from all succeeding administrations,” he added.

Resilient economy

In his six years in power, the President takes pride in his accomplishments, from a soaring economic growth to a decline in corruption and poverty levels. Aquino will relinquish power on June 30 to Rodrigo Duterte, the Davao City Mayor who campaigned strongly against increasing criminality and proliferation of drugs and vowed to solve the crime and drug problem in the country in six months.

The President, in the same remarks, said he was not at all troubled about passing the throne to his successor. He said he would vacate the office “as someone who remained true to his Bosses” and leave behind a resilient domestic economy and an empowered nation.

“These days, I am often asked, ‘How does it feel to have just over a month left as President?’ My answer is always the same: I have no cause for fear, or worry,” he said.

“I will be leaving behind a Philippines renowned for its economic resilience and for its commitment to inclusivity. I will be leaving behind a citizenry ready to work with able, trustworthy partners like the Millennium Challenge Corporation,” he added.

Vote of confidence

The President thanked the MCC for its assistance to the Philippines that have significantly improved the lives of millions of Filipinos. The MCC is an independent American aid agency created by the US Congress in 2004 whose goal is to fight global poverty. It has approved over $7 billion in poverty reduction Compacts with 20 partner countries.

Aquino said the MCC grant enabled the government to fund projects needed to reduce poverty.

“The signing of the Millennium Challenge Corporation Compact in 2010 made $434 million in much-needed funding available to the Philippines for projects specifically targeted to reduce poverty.”

“This was a manifestation of the trust that the American government and the people had in us. This was a commitment to help — a commitment we swore to match by ensuring that every dollar spent would have a meaningful impact on the lives of Filipinos,” Aquino said.

Aquino likewise lauded the Philippines’ eligibility for a second compact, the “first time a country has been considered eligible even as the first compact is still in progress.”

“This without doubt was another vote of confidence for the Philippines,” Aquino said.

“Everyone who took part can take great pride in the fact that we were all good stewards. We chose to work together, we kept our word, and we were able to foster positive change,” he said.

Second contract

The MCC Board of Directors unanimously re-selected the Philippines for a second compact on December 16, 2015.