PGMA bares accomplishments over the years

By Jennilyne C. Role

San Fernando City, La Union (27 July) — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will be delivering her last State of the Nation Address (SONA) today where she will highlight various accomplishments her administration has undertaken over the years.

Her battlecry, BEAT THE ODDS, had flare despite negative forces that tried to withhold developments and dampen her administration. She remains steadfast in working towards greater benefits of the people.

Under Balanced Budget, her administration manifested 33 quarters of uninterrupted economic growth amidst global economic meltdown that reflected a resilient economy as compared to other affected countries. This standing was affirmed b International Ratings Agencies like Moody’s.

For Education for All, around 68,888 classrooms were built from 2004 to June 2009, 41,781 out of 42,008 barangays have elementary schools and 1,494 our of 1,495 municipalities have high schools.

President Arroyo also ensured a 1:1 book-to-pupil ratio in 18 out of 20 subjects and provided around 10.86 million beneficiaries with scholarships and educational assistance.

She also made true for coming up with an Automated Elections in 2010 as manifested with the recent signing of the contract with SmartMatic-TIM.

For Transportation and Digital Infrastructure, a strong republic nautical highways was created with 30 roll-on-roll-off (RORO) ports link the archipelago making travel and transport of goods faster and cheaper, thereby enhancing business and tourism.

On the other hand, the digital infrastructure boosted tourism, commerce and the BPO-IT industry.

On the side of the extreme left that falls under the Terminate Hostilities with MILF and NPA agenda of President Arroyo, the government has integrated around 549 former rebels into the mainstream of the society and the government through social integration program.

The suspension of the offensive military operations (SOMO) against the MILF aims to provide a stable environment for the resumption of peace talks between the government the MILF.

Healing the wounds of EDSA, manifested through the sequestration of around P62.93 billion ill-gotten wealth that was remitted by the Presidential Commission on Good Government to the Bureau of Treasury for the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program.

Also, the granting of the absolute pardon to former President Joseph Estrada has resulted to national unity and reconciliation.

For Electricity and Water for All agenda, around 41,079 or 97.85% of the barangays have been energized and 70% of waterless municipalities outside Metro Manila and 75% of waterless communities within Metro Manila have potable water.

Under Opportunities for Livelihood and 10 Million Jobs, the government has created around 12 million jobs from 2004 to 2009, exceeding with the 10 million target, vis-à-vis the signing of the Cheaper Medicines Act that provides more affordable medicines to ensure a healthy and productive workforce.

To Decongest Metro Manila, the Philippine National Railway system from Tutuban to Buendia is now operational.

Various infrastructure projects were ongoing construction address the traffic situation of Metro Manila that include the construction of the Metro Manila Skyway Stage 2, MRT/LRT loop, C5-NLEX-SLEX link, and the Northrail-Southrail link Phase 1.

To Develop Subic and Clark, infrastructure development projects such as the SCTEX boosted the competitive advantage pf Clark and Subic as prime investment areas.

The Diosdado Macapagal International Airport also posted a 21-percent increase in international passenger volume in the first five months of 2009 amid the global economic crisis and the fear of A(H1N1) disease. (PIA-RO1/La Union)