President Aquino SONA 2014 highlights, review for reaction paper

Manila, Philippines - President Aquino on Monday, July 28, 2014 delivered his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA). Lawmakers and guests at Batasan Pambansa gave him at least 85 rounds of applause for his 1.5hrs speech.

President Aquino SONA 2014 highlights, review for reaction paper


Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abi Valte said Aquino worked hard to make his SONA comprehensive. As a result, PNoy made some personal statement and became emotional during the last part of the speech.

Aquino has cited that he's already contented with the accomplishments of his administration.

"Hangga't buo ang ating pananalig at tiwala—mapapatunayang: “The Filipino is worth dying for, the Filipino is worth living for. Idadagdag ko naman po, the Filipino is definitely worth fighting for," PNoy said.

The 2014 SONA has started at exactly 4:00 in the afternoon and has concluded after one hour and 30 minutes.

Be guided with our analysis and review of SONA 2014. Students may use this as reference for their reaction paper:

Related: SONA 2014 Facts and Figures Quick Review, Summary (Guide for Kids)

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.

Under the controversial DAP, PNoy said that around P1.6 billion fund was given to Training-for-Work Scholarship Program of TESDA. A total of 223,615 beneficiaries have graduated with an equivalent of 146,731 graduates currently working.

Aquino also boasts the Expanded Conditional Cash Transfer program which has started this June with a budget of 12.3 billion. According to him, the poverty incidence went down to 24.9% in the first quarter of 2013.

Last year, the Philippines received high investment grade status from Moody's, Fitch, at SandP. Aquino takes pride in the holding of the World Economic Forum in Manila recently.

PNoy said that the budget for infrastructure has more than double. A total of 12,184 km national roads were done. He cites DPWH Sec. Singson for cutting corruption in infrastructure projects. "Bawal ang tongpats, bawal ang bukol."

Major infrastructures such as Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3, Ternate-Nasugbu Road, Basilan Circumferential Road and Aluling Bridge are some of the ongoing and newly-built infrastructure projects of DPWH.

"We worked to have the ability to fund the projects that we implemented, are implementing, and will be implementing.", Aquino said.

When he talked about the Bohol and Cebu calamity, he said that P3.583 billion were released for the rehabilitation efforts.

After the super-typhoon Yolanda, efforts of the government include power restoration, road and airport repairs that were done immediately according to him. He thanked the Task Foce Yolanda for their prompt response. A total of 221,897 received jobs after the said typhoon.

PNoy also praised Albay Gov. Joey Salceda after his province had zero casualty despite the recent Typhoon Glenda onslaught.

Aquino also said that AFP modernization will continue as the government is targeting to acquire more aircraft and radar system. The PNP now also have 1:1 police to pistol ratio.

"The state is taking care of the needs of the police. And they are matching this support with efficient and upright service," Aquino said.


More promises to track

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:

  • Laguna Lakeshore Expressway Dike bidding by end of 2014
  • Open alternative roads to EDSA
  • Opening of the Palawan Busuanga Airport
  • Push Bangsamoro Basic Law
  • Ensure enough supply of power to meet the growing energy demand
  • 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.

According to them, Aquino is the pork barrel king as they have showed "holDAPer" effigy which pertains to the President's DAP.

Meanwhile, Aquino did not mention the issue 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.

On Monday, Social Weather Stations (SWS) has released second-quarter survey results which shows that 12.1 million from 11.5 million in March Filipino families saw themselves 'poor'. In the survey, 55 percent of respondents claimed to be poor, up from 53 percent in March.

Related Articles: 
President Aquino 'PNoy' SONA 2014 full transcript, speech (Tagalog, English) now available
PNoy becomes emotional on his 5th SONA, says Filipino is worth fighting for
SONA 2014 Livestream video now available: Aquino reporting to his 'boss'

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