PAPER

ON

2015STATE OF THE NATION ADDRESS OF

PRESIDENT BENIGNO SIMEON C, AQUINO, III

Submitted To

Prof. GLADYS FLORANGEL I. ORTIZ

IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTSOF GM 205 DEVELOPMENT PERSPECTIVE

MELODY O. BALICATMSERMDecember 12, 20151. FIVE (5) ISSUES TAKEN IN THE 2015 STATE OF THE NATION ADDREES OF PRESIDENT AQUINO.2015 development issue (choose 5)Action proposedAnalysis of action proposed

1. Poverty AlleviationPantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) or Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT)- catered to marginalized Filipino family with the intention of the government to help those parents or family who cannot afford to send their children to school that belonged to elementary and high school levels.In the report, the President did not mention that billions of pesos spent by the government for this program. The President mentioned only the 4.4 million Filipinos benefited the program. This is to evade the criticisms of the opposition. The government spent billions of pesos every year to facilitate and materialized this program. However, the government failed to consider that this is not sustainable for it will make fellow brethren Filipinos to be dependent on the government instead of teaching them on how to fish. Perhaps, by providing them means of livelihood.Our country is rich in natural resources, there must be trainings to be afforded to them using local materials and develop it into a livelihood. Having permanent livelihood, this will help increase tax revenues both local and national. The family or parents definitely can now afford to send their children in school without relying on government assistance. At the same time, they can answer the emptiness of their stomach, the need for medicine in case of illness, etc. The billions of pesos allocated for them should be translated into more books, more classrooms and more teachers to hire for public schools, especially to those far-flung areas in the country. In 2016 approved budget, 26.7 billion pesos is allocated for this 4Ps or CCT development program of the government.

2. Education: classrooms/text books/teachersThe government really felt the need to increase the number of 118,000 classrooms to be constructed, 73.9 million textbooks already distributed and 88.7 million this year to be distributed, 1.6 million school seats already delivered and additional of 1.6 million to be delivered before the end of 2015, and the need of 60,000 new teaching positions in 2016 as integrated in the proposed 2016 Annual budget for the agency. This development is anchored on the reality that the population of the Philippines has increased into more than 100 million this year. This transforms into more enrollees, add to that the K to 12 Program.It is opined that the number is not 100% sufficient to address the need of tangible objects needed for education, especially in far-flung barangays with public schools, but at least a factor to consider to meet the quality of education needed by the young Filipinos. Feeling equipped with textbooks, comfortable seats inside a classroom and not under the tree and teacher who can handle the most 40 students and not 60 to 80 students in a classroom.

3. EmploymentAccordingly, there is an economic improvement in the country due to the entry of foreign investors that created more real job opportunities. However, this item as reported was not discussed in detail. It is only emphasized that OFWs populations is 9.51 million in 2014 and the number went down to 9.07. Perhaps because of the reason that they went home to our country.As reported by the President, record showed that there is indeed a decrease of unemployment in the country. However, the increase of employment rate has not been felt by the most Filipino people living in remote and rural areas. Only the big corporations and professionals in Metro Manila enjoyed the benefit of the said development.The President presumptuously stated that many OFWs went home and were able to find job in our country today, because of the decrease of population of OFWs working abroad. However, this is only presumption and not conclusive that indeed those OFWs found job in our country and opted not to go back and work in other foreign country. Perhaps the truth is that there is no record that will show that these OFWs found a decent job right now in our country. The President failed to support that in his report.

4. Infrastructure ProjectsConstructed bridge in Isabela, Multi-purpose Project in Tarlac, Circumferential Road in Basilan, Muntinlupa-Cavite Expressway, Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway, Completion of Metro Manila Skyway and the NLEX-SLEX Connector Road, Flood control project in Pasig-Marikina, Dike Project in Laguna Lakeshore Expressway and the construction of new road in Apayao. Budget allocated for this project is indeed huge. In fact, rehabilitation of briges and opening of roads are remarkable achievement of the President. Further, the budget for the infrastructure for the next fiscal year must be higher in order to accommodate those areas that really need the construction of bridges, more roads to open for comfort and accessibility for better trade and commerce in many areas of the country.

5. Manila Rail Transit (MRT)As mentioned, because of the issuance of Temporary Restraining Order, the reason for the delay to buy new coaches and at the same time the poor performance of the service provider in maintaining the MRTThe DOTC Secretary failed to foresee the problem. They should be pro-active in overseeing the MRT as number one mode of transportation of many Filipinos in the NCR.

2. THE MOST IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENT ISSUE THAT OUR COUNTRY IS FACING IN 2015. The Manila Railway Transit or MRT as mentioned in the report of the President garnered the most controversial amongst the issues that considered as national controversy this year. Considering that each day, there are 2.3 million passengers availing of this mode of transportation. Unfortunately, this year the negative issue came about when the service provider that is responsible to maintain it failed to do so. Having poorly maintained the coaches and all, this eventually leads in the derailment of the daily operation that affects millions of Filipinos who commute everyday using the said mode of transportation. Setting aside the traffic congestion in Metro Manila that will eventually become more congested or has been congested when these coaches of MRT/LRT and its periodic maintenance always falter or quaver. The Department of Transportation and Communication under their watch poorly performed their task to foresee the problem. The government through this office should be proactive and serious is taking care of the commuters/passengers, thus maintenance of MRT coaches, engine, machine, etc. should be of utmost consideration.

3. TWO DEVELOPMENT ISSUES FROM PRESIDENT AQUINOS STATE OF THE NATION ADDRESS AND EXPLAIN ON HOW YOU MIGHT SOLVE IT. 1.) EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIESThe President reported in his SONA that unemployment rate has been decreased due to real job opportunities. Unfortunately, his report is more on the decrease in number as to the population of OFWs. He presumed that because of the decrease of OFWs, some of them went home to our country and now working locally. He gave emphasis only to the decrease in number of OFWs, but he failed to report in detail the actual number of unemployed in rural and urban areas. Accordingly, our economy continues to grow and we are now considered as Asias Rising Tiger, etc. This is contradictory from reality that many of our brethren Filipinos are unemployed. Indeed, the revenue from OFWs is the main point of the increase of our economy due to their remittances. Big corporations set up in Metro Manila, employment and it generated employment only to those nearby. The question is, what about those graduates and an unemployed inhabitants from different provinces that composed of different regions in the country? Not all provinces are viable to set up big malls that will generate employment.

Having this kind of problem in reality, in Regions XI and XIII, it is a fact that these two regions are rich in mineral resources. This is where mining industry thrives. Employment, trade and commerce will develop in this area if our present national leader should give leeway to those mining companies that are seeking for permits to operate despite all the requirements that have been complied with. If a mining company will be given a permit to operate, for instance during its exploration stage, more job opportunities for the locales, the indigenous peoples in the ancestral domain will be employed. They do not need to go to the city to beg for money in order to buy for their food. If they are in their own place, they can work as laborer, or person who will guide the technical team of the company. Sari-Sari store will be opened to accommodate the basic needs of the company workers, more Community Tax Certificate will be secured from the Barangay as primary requirements for employment among locales, trade and commerce will cause the area to be lively and more developed. Not only the residences but also the local government for their revenues most likely will increase. 2.) FOREIGN INVESTMENTThe entry of foreign investors in our country indeed has provided a big leap to our economy. However, the said economic growth only happens in Metro Manila. Big corporations set up their business investment in urban areas. This is the reason why some of our countrymen flock to metro manila and become informal settlers. They are hoping that they can seek employment in the said place.

The President should also invite investors to mining areas so that these mining companies will establish their offices in provinces where their mining tenements are located. With the tedious requirements and very strict monitoring from Mines and Geosciences Bureau, these investors of mining companies will be faithful in complying with all requirements especially on environmental measures, safety nets and all, because they do not want to waste their billions of pesos investment.In the context of development, there must be equal opportunity to be afforded to all foreign investors. Deprivation made by the government for the issuance of licenses to operate mining is tantamount to deprivation of equal opportunity to all Filipino stakeholders as individual members of the community for job opportunity and greater individual freedom. This will also aid in the eradication of poverty.

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