Delivered at the Session Hall of the House of Representatives, Batasang Pambansa Complex, Quezon City, on July 22, 2013. Be guided with our analysis and review of SONA 2013. Students may use this as reference for their reaction paper:
SONA this year were focused on the achievements of the government on his term such as approval of the Sin Tax Reform Law and “Responsible Parenthood Law” (RH Law), reforms in Education System(K-12), Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), increase in number of TESDA graduates, increase in Philhealth enrolles from 62% to 81% and improved benefits, allocation of P6.2 billion for flood control in Metro Manila, completion of 9,377 housing units for Typhoon Sendong victims, 63% reduction in number of private armed groups, 21.4 increase in foreign tourist arrivals in 2012 and 7.8% GDP (Gross Domestic Product) growth during the first quarter of 2013.
However, it also highlights some of the changes to hike SSS contributions and train fares.
"We believe that it is time to amend the SSS Pension Scheme. We must establish measures that remedy the outflow of funds. If we add 0.6 percent to the contribution rate, it will immediately deduct P141 billion from the unfunded liability," Aquino said.
Pnoy said the need to reform pension scheme is necessary to avoid depletion of SSS funds in the next 28 years. He also explains that fare hikes in MRT and LRT will be implemented. The government subsidizes each passenger's fare by as much as P45 and said to be unfair to residents from Visayas and Mindanao who never set foot on the trains but fund the train operations.
But according to critics or analysts, President Aquino did not mentioned solid agenda on how he will lead us to his 'daang matuwid' campaign until 2016. Nancy Binay highlights that Pnoy didn't include on his speech ways to improve employment rate in the country.
Inspite of the gross domestic product (GDP) growth for 2012 and various economic reform programs of Aquino government for his three years in the Palace, Philippines is still have the worst unemployment rate in Asia. More than 11 million Filipinos are jobless according to SWS and IBON Foundation survey results on the first quarter of 2013.
It is common that every SONA, President always make promises. Here are the some of the action items of Aquino government for the next months or year:
- Classroom shortage will be addressed by the Department of Education within the year.
- Improve rice self-sufficiency and coconut intercropping to boost agricultural growth.
- Complete geo-hazard mapping of Metro Manila by next year.
- Pass the Bangsamoro Basic Law in 2014 which will pave way for a Bangsamoro Government by 2016.
- Repairs and completion at NAIA Terminal 3.
READ FULL TRANSCRIPT
