MANILA - President Benigno Aquino III, during his State of the Nation Address (Sona) Monday, criticized the previous administration under former president and now Pampanga second district Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Aquino hit Arroyo's past administration over the depleted P1.5 trillion 2010 budget which left his admin with only around one percent of the total 2010 budget for every month up to the end of the year.
He said that the budget deficit further increased to P196.7 billion. He revealed further that the collection targets fell short of P23.8 billion as the previous administration went beyond the budget by P45.1 billion.
Aquino said that, out of the P2 billion calamity fund for 2010, only P1.4 billion or about 70 percent was already spent by this time, though the country has not yet undergone the "calamity" season.
The past administration, according to Aquino, allotted P108 million of the calamity funds for the entire Pampanga province but, out of the entire amount, P105 million went to only one district which the former president now represents in Congress.
In contrast, Pangasinan which was severely affected by Typhoon Pepeng received a mere P5 million. This amount, said Aquino, was even used to fix damages inflicted not even by Pepeng, but by a previous Typhoon "Cosme".
Former senator Richard Gordon and Representative Roilo Golez shared similar views on the president's SONA. Both said that they believed that Aquino is sincere and that they will to do their best to help Aquino fulfill his plans for the country.
Meanwhile, Negros Occidental officials described the Sona as optimistic and are looking forward for the economic recovery in the country under his leadership.
Bacolod City lone district Representative Anthony Golez, who is reputed to get the chairmanship of the Committee on Health in the lower house, said that the important thing is to move forward.
"We in Bacolod are lucky that my programs for the people of this city are similar with (those) of Pres. Aquino," Golez stressed.
Golez added that he will strongly push for the implementation of universal health care as well as help the LGUs upgrade their respective health facilities.
"Among my programs are the improvement of the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital," he added.
Sixth district Representative Mercedes Alvarez who is a neophyte in Congress, on the other hand, said that she is looking forward to the achievement of the plans of the President. She asked that Aquino should be given time to execute his plans for the country.
She also complimented Aquino's speech about widening the coverage of the PhilHealth and the construction of more school buildings and his support for agricultural programs.
Third District Congressman Albee Benitez lauded the President for implementing his campaign slogan "Kung Walang Kurap, Walang Mahirap" by making public the alleged financial anomalies of the previous administration.
Benitez said that the president was very specific that he will make sure corruption will be stopped in his administration.
"Hopefully, these plans of the president will push through so that he can change our cultural behavior or attitude on government", the solon said.
Among the Negros mayors who attended the Sona were Silay City mayor Jose "Oti" Montelibano with Vice Mayor Mark Andrew Golez, Talisay City Mayor Eric Saratan, Himamaylan City Mayor Tinto Bascon, Sipalay City Mayor Oscar Montilla and Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia.
Montelibano said that he finds the President's Sona "very optimistic" and that he is looking forward to the first executive order to be issued by the President for the creation for of the Truth Commission to be headed by former Supreme Court Chief Justice Hilario Davide.
He said that he also admired the announcement of the President about removing bureaucratic red tape for more efficient government service.
"I'm sure that, (without red tape), more investments will come in", Montelibano added. (Jerome S. Galunan Jr.)