ILOILO – Local chief executives (LCEs) and lawmakers in Panay Island gave a passing grade to President Rodrigo Duterte’s sixth and final State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the Batasang Pambansa on Monday.
Speaking to Panay News, Iloilo’s Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. said he was content with the SONA as the country’s chief executive made mention of infrastructure and measures addressing the coronavirus pandemic, among others.
“Ang importante sa akon (and to the economy) is ang infrastructure and connectivity… We are also looking forward for the creation of additional departments in the executive branch like the departments of migrant workers and OFWs (overseas Filipino workers) and disaster risk agency,” Defensor said.
Defensor also took note of Duterte’s “maayo nga pag-rundown sang developmental programs and projects” in his service so far.
He is hoping to see more projects – especially in infrastructure – in the next years.
For Antique’s Gov. Rhodora Cadiao, Duterte is no Superman. She gave him eight marks out of ten.
Cadiao noted Duterte’s “determination” towards fulfilling his promises in 2016, but hampered by the ongoing health crisis.
“He wants to show na talagang gusto nya maayos ang Pilipinas kaya lang ‘bugbog-sirado’ kasi siya,” Cadiao told Panay News.
“Siempre hindi sia si Superman. Hindi ‘yan magagawa, hindi masyadong nasolbar ‘yong sa Mindanao… Hanggang ngayon ghost town pa ang lugar,” she added.
Cadiao said she would have also wanted to hear about updates on the end of contract (endo), coco levy funds as well as the creation of a vaccine laboratory in the Philippines.
Cadiao added that Duterte also had lapses but “I understand as I am an LCE, too”.
Iloilo City’s Mayor Jerry Treñas also gave a score of eight.
The city mayor described Duterte’s report as almost complete.
“I think the President laid out the accomplishment of the five years very well,” said Treñas.
The city mayor cited the Universal Health Care, long-term validity of driver’s license and passport and various infrastructure projects as among Duterte’s accomplishments.
Treñas, however, expected the President to tackle more about the government’s response against the pandemic, especially on vaccines.
He opined that the public might have expected to hear the plans of the government until the end of the year.
“Kay daw mahinay-hinay ang pag-abot sa aton kag ano ang ginalantaw ta sa katapusan sang tuig, kon ma-amat amat na ‘ta balik sa normal,” Treñas said.
Treñas was not invited either via online or physically to attend the SONA but he watched it via online live stream.
Meanwhile, Iloilo City’s Lone District Rep. Julienne Baronda, who physically attended the SONA, said it is a very tough time to be the President especially with the ongoing pandemic.
Baronda said the President managed to institute long-needed reforms, put up important infrastructure projects and brought the government closer to the people through programs such as free college education and universal healthcare.
The lady solon assured that she is strongly behind the President in his quest to create the Department of Migrant Workers, the Philippine Virology Institute and the country’s own Center for Disease Control.
She added that she also backs the Employment Recovery Strategy that Duterte is rolling out to create one million jobs with the help of the private sector, and the rehabilitation of the economy.
“Indeed, we will rise as one. Our courage, resilience and strong faith in God will get us back on track again,” she added.
Meantime, for 5th District Cong. Raul Tupas, Duterte’s SONA was comprehensive as he was able to lay down all his accomplishments for the past five years.
“Ining nabilin nga isa ka tuig kon ano pa gid ang programa kag kinahanglan pa niya nga himuon. I-sustain ‘ya ang iya naumpisahan at the same time kon ano ang mga critical pa gid nga legislation,” said Tupas.
If he were to give the President’s SONA a rating, it would also be eight.
“Based ina sa consultation ko sa mga leaders, political and community leaders, in the provinces and in my personal observation,” Tupas opined.
Second District Cong. Michael Gorriceta also echoed that the President was able to fulfill what he has promised during his first SONA.
“In fairness sa President naobra ‘ya gid, okay ang dalagan sang branches galing amo ‘ni natabo, ang COVID pandemic,” said Gorriceta.
He added that it is also a good thing that the President proposed to have a Philippine Virology Institute and Center for Disease Control.
Like Tupas, Gorriceta also gave Duterte a score of eight.
“Kay nakita kon i-review gid bala halin sa pag-start nakita ko ang tinutuyo with all sincerity ang aton President… Nag-fall short lang gid sia because damo challenges along the way,” said Gorriceta adding that the President was able to face and fight those challenges.
If there’s some things that need to improve, Gorriceta said there should be a fast-tracking of assistance by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to the displaced workers or sectors.
“Ang mga nami is ang sa Malasakit Center, sa farmers naman ang pag-modernize sang machineries and ang sa passport nga gin-extend sa 10 years ang validity, kag sa driver’s license nga five years,” Gorriceta added.
Meanwhile, AAMBIS-OWWA Rep. Sharon Garin also gave Duterte’s last SONA an eight out of ten score, saying she was satisfied as to how Duterte explained his accomplishments so far.
Garin said, as chairman of the economic affairs of the lower Congress, she was elated that the President has mentioned some of her priority bills like the proposed Public Service Act and the Tax Reforms Act.
She is hoping these would be passed before the President ends his term.
Garin would have also wanted to know Duterte’s plan for the remaining months especially on how to handle the effects of COVID-19./PN
