Gloria Macapagal Arroyo State of the Nation Address SONA
Filipino businessmen and the Catholic clergy tonight praised President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on her ninth State of the Nation Address (SONA) which was described by many as fiery and straight to the point.
Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said in a text message to the Philippines News Agency that Bangued Bishop Leopoldo Jaucian, SVD, and businessman Jose “Joey” Concepcion III of Go Negosyo are among those who praised Mrs. Arroyo.
“Bravo madam President. Congratulations for the superb SONA. I’m so proud to be a Filipino with the way you care for our country. Our prayers are with you,” Bishop Jaucian said.
For his part, an overwhelmed Concepcion could only say: “excellent SONA.”
In her report, President Arroyo described the state of the nation since her 2008 SONA as “a strong economy” while lashing out her critics saying, “have we listened to our critics, this country could have lied flat on its back!”
The President revealed that with the economic measures that her administration has implemented to boost government revenues, the country was able to develop critical infrastructures like seaports, airports, and roll-on-roll-off routes. She cited as an example the development of the Subic-Clark Expressway that has helped create wealth in Subic and Clark, Pampanga.
The Chief Executive also made mention of her recent order to the National Telecommunications to act on complaints of unfair charges on drop calls and diminishing loads.
President Arroyo likewise reported that since its development in the country, the Business Processing Outsourcing (BPO) has grown into a billion peso-sector that has provided massive employment to Filipinos. Thus the call of the President for the development of “a Department of Information and Communication Technology”.
She also revealed that about 700,000 families have already benefited from the 4Ps (Pantawid Pamiliyang Pilipino Project) while 700,000 tribesmen and CARP beneficiaries are now proud land owners.
