“PNoy’s SONA 2014” by LOUELLA MARIE T. ACBES

Manila, Philippines- President Benigno Aquino III  on Monday, July 28, 2014 delivered his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA). The 2014 SONA started at exactly 4:00 in the afternoon and has concluded after one hour and half.

            “Hangga’t buo ang ating pananalig at tiwala- mapapatunayang, “the Filipino is worth dying for, the Filipino is worth living for. Idadagdag pa naman po, the Filipino is worth fighting for,” PNoy said. He also cited that he’s already contented with the accomplishments of his administration. SONA 2014 highlights the achievements of the government on education, social services, economy, improvement, infrastructure, calamity efforts, jobs, rehabilitation after typhoons and earthquake, modernization of AFP, security, ARMM Bangsamoro and livelihood.

            Meanwhile, Aquino did not mention the issues on the Priority Development assistance Fund (PDAF) with many of the politicians are involved. PNoy also failed to include the passage of the Freedom of Information (FOI) bill in his SONA. The measure aims to eliminate corruption in the bureaucracy by giving the public greater access to government transactions and records.

            Just like on his previous SONA, Aquino did use a lot of numbers in his speech which emphasized that the country’s economy is now doing good, restoration after calamities  is fast, benefits of the Filipinos raise them from poverty, national security and the education aspects are his priorities.

            It is common that every SONA, the President always make promises. Here are the some of the action items of the Aquino government for the next months or year:

o   Laguna lakeshore Expressway Dike bidding by the end of 2014

o   Open alternative roads to EDSA

o   Opening of the Palawan Busuanga Airport

o   Push Bangsamoro Basic Law

o   Ensure enough supply of power to meet the growing energy demand

o   2.606 trillion for 2015 national Budget

Despite of the said achievements and plans of the government, thousands of protesters marched along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City toward Batasan Pambansa on Monday Afternoon.

PNoy gained rousing applause from the crowd with his allies and family including Presidential sister and TV host Kris Aquino shed tears upon hearing her father’s famous line. At the last part of PNoy’s speech, he became emotional in assertive tone to defend the controversial Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP).

Most Filipinos are now alarmed by the promises of the President. They are more conscious about the plans that are about to happen in the next days, months or years. They respected the President and they believe in the journey of the development of the country.