When in Manila (or other parts of Philippines and the globe), millions of Filipinos tuned in yesterday afternoon to President Benigno Aquino III’s State of the Nation Address for 2011 at Plenary Hall of the House of Representatives, Quezon City. Even before PNoy started to deliver his SONA 2011 speech, a lot of Filipinos were already voicing out their expectations and were eagerly waiting for it. On the other hand, some weren’t able to catch the SONA on live broadcast because of work, while some chose to not watch it at all.
And then the moment came. PNoy delivered his SONA 2011 speech in Tagalog for the second time. Albeit a few slurs and brief coughing episodes here and there), many admired President N. Aquino’s speech, saying it was simple, clear, realistic, and easy-to-understand.
Click here to read President N. Aquino’s SONA 2011 Speech in English
GMANews.TV has provided keypoints of PNoy’s SONA for 2011, which include:
- Doing away with the “wang-wang” mindset, which over the years has come to symbolize abuse of authorities
- Hunger rate dropping down for the past few months of 2011
- better economy as observed by the Philippine Stock market reaching several record highs in 2010
- construction of a power plant in Luzon which will provide a cheaper source of energy for Filipinos
- Zero-cost budgeting to put an end to wasteful programs
- Proper allocation of taxes
- A more honest and transparent DPWH
- End over-importation of rice and make the country self-sufficient on rice supply
- more benefits for military and police officers, upgrading military defense equipment
- Finding a resolve to protect the country’s share in Spratly islands
- Tighten enforcement of Anti-Human Trafficking Act
- Creating more jobs for Filipinos; unemployment rate going down
- More health programs for the poor
- Congress passing a law synchronizing ARMM elections with the National Elections
- Stewardship of tree-planting programs to alleviate flooding problems
- DOST-UP Team up to develop a monorail system that provides a cheaper fare compared to the current mass transit system
- New Ombudsman that will be more lenient in fighting corrupt and abusive government officials
- Encouraging Pinoys to stop ‘crab mentality’ once and for all
Full video of President Noynoy Aquino’s SONA 2011 on GMA 7 (Tagalog)
Reflecting on PNoy’s SONA 2011, I believe it’s about time for us to be proactive instead of just blabbering on and on about the government’s flaws. It’s not wrong to point out what you believe is wrong with it. However, it’s important to think before you speak. You have to learn your facts thoroughly and make sure you have a deep conviction to your statement.
Being pessimistic for the wrong reasons is like backstabbing your boss whenever he’s out of earshot; it doesn’t help the company at all. Same goes for our country.
Besides, have you ever asked yourself, “What have I done for the betterment of our country?” Sure President N. Aquino has major goals yet to achieve during his term, but he definitely couldn’t do it alone. He needs our support as much as we need him.
There will always be ‘bad seeds’ everywhere, but we don’t have to be put up with their misdeeds. Instead, we should report them to the authorities. Use your voice at the right, place at the right time, for the right reasons, and help make the Philippines a progressive country.
