House Members lauded the third State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Duterte on Monday, for focusing on the welfare and upliftment of the poor and other underprivileged sectors.
Rep. Michael Romero lauded the unconditional cash transfer (CCT) program of the Duterte administration that will aid lower income families as they adjust to the changes bring implemented under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law.
“Doon ito nag-dwell, yung mga mahihirap na kababayan natin, who are below the poverty line. The government is willing to give P200 per family, which is a big help to subsidize their meals three times a day. From two times a day, now they can eat three times,” Romero said.
The legislator had wished that President Duterte had shared more of his plans of action on the economic challenges the country currently faces.
“Bitin ako sa sinabi ng Presidente on the economic side. I was waiting na magsalita siya doon sa currency changes. Tumaas yung [US] Dollar against the Philippine Peso. ‘Yung inflation rate which is tumataas din. So I was waiting na may sagot siya on how to repel these things also,” the lawmaker said.
Meanwhile, Rep. Geraldine Roman said that the President’s speech was more somber and concise than she had expected.
In contrast to the President’s past speeches, which were longer and more infused with humor, Roman noted that President Duterte’s third SONA had substantial content.
“To tell you the truth, nabitin ako. But the reason being that we have had a lot of accomplishments. I wish we heard more and in detail. The SONA today was short, it was devoid of the usual jokes. But I think it’s much better. It was concise but substantive,” the Bataan legislator said.
“I wish we heard more and in detail. The SONA today was short, it was devoid of the usual jokes. But I think it’s much better. It was concise but substantive.”
Moreover, Roman embraced the President’s remarks on the environment as well as his word of warning to violators of the law and those who trample on the rights of Overseas Filipino Workers and Filipinos in general.
Rep. Reynaldo Umali said the President’s message was clear that he will continue his advocacy on criminality, illegal drugs, corruption and federalism. “These are his campaign promises, so I am happy that the President has remained true to his promises,” said Umali.
The lawmaker said the President should be given enough time to fulfill his promises since he has just been in office for two years.
“After two years, his accomplishments are OK. He is still fulfilling his promises. Di pa tapos dahil mahirap ang mga laban na yan such as federalism. He is pushing for it because it means empowering the local government units and he directed the LGUs to do their job well,” said Umali.
Rep. Carlos Roman Uybarreta said the SONA was straightforward. It was not very detailed, but on a general perspective, it managed to provide the answers to people’s questions.
“The SONA, more or less, covered everything that is important and necessary. My favorite part is when the President always stressed that he is after the welfare of the poor, the underprivileged and in all of his segments he always said, he is for the people,” said Uybarreta.
“The President always stressed that he is after the welfare of the poor, the underprivileged and in all of his segments he always said, he is for the people.”
Rep. Mark Go said what was laudable in the President’s SONA was his encouragement on the business sector to implement the ease of doing business to improve the way of doing business with the government.
“We do business with the government. The different agencies of the government should really help in ensuring that the ease of doing business is carried out,” said Go.
