Enumerating the gains of his almost year-old administration, President Benigno Aquino III on Sunday bannered the supposed result of his efforts to create jobs and improve agricultural produce – freedom of Filipinos from hunger. In his Independence Day speech at the Quirino Grandstand – touted to be a preview of his upcoming State of the Nation Address – Aquino said the nation is now reaping the fruits of his administration’s efforts. “Dati, puno ng hinaing ang ilang kababayan natin sa Middle East na hindi makabalik-balik sa Pilipinas dahil sa takot na mamamatay lang sila dito sa gutom. Pero ngayon po, ang pinoproblema na lang ay ang mismong kalidad at uri ng mapapasukang trabaho," the President said. Noting criticisms by militant groups that most available jobs are in call centers, Aquino remarked, “Samakatuwid, miski po ang mga kritiko natin ay aminadong may trabaho na talaga sa Pilipinas." “Kung dati po ay, ‘Saan ako kukuha ng ipapakain ko sa pamilya?’ ang tanong ng karaniwang Pilipino. Ngayon po ang iniisip na lamang nila ay, ‘Ano kayang ulam ang pasalubong ko sa aking asawa’t anak?’" the President said. A survey by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) last month, however, said the number of unemployed Filipinos rose by around 27.2 percent in March, to around 11.3 million from 9.9 million in November 2010.
PHL to export rice by 2016 Aquino also boasted of gains in rice production – an improvement
recognized by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization in a report this month. He said that with continued reforms in the agriculture sector, the Philippines may yet turn a new leaf from being a perennial rice importer to becoming a rice importer by June 30, 2016. He pointed out that his administration has managed to slash the Philippines’ need to import rice to 800,000 metric tons, as compared to the 2.5 million metric tons imported during the Arroyo administration.
“Mantakin po ninyo: nagawa natin ito, eh ni wala pa tayong isang taon sa puwesto. Sa tuloy-tuloy na reporma natin, posible pong bago tayo bumaba sa pwesto sa tanghali ng Hunyo 30, 2016, sa halip na mag-angkat, baka tayo na ang magbenta sa ibang bansa ng bigas," he said. The President added,
“Ito na nga po ang kalayaang hangad ng aking ama: ang makamit ang unang kalayaan – ang kalayaan ng mga Pilipino mula sa gutom." In April, another SWS
survey said the number of hungry Filipinos rose to include 20.5 percent of the population in March, from 18.1 percent in November 2010. In the same survey, 51 percent of respondents rated themselves poor, up from 49 percent in November last year.
Electric tricycles Aquino said he also envisions tricycle drivers using electric tricycles, which would benefit the environment because they emit much less pollution. The e-tricycle drivers would also benefit from having to pay less than they do now for fuel, he added.
“Dahil malinaw ang ating mga hangarin at tama ang ating ipinaglalaban, tiwala tayong ang pagmamartsa nating ito ay hindi mauuwi sa kawalan. Sa tangan nating mandato at tiwala ng taumbayan, mas maitataguyod na natin ang kapakanan ng nakakarami nating kababayan—na pundasyon ng tunay na diwa’t kahulugan ng ating kalayaan," Aquino said.
‘Don’t waste heroes’ gains’ In his speech, the President also enjoined Filipinos to protect the gains of freedom fighters like national hero Jose Rizal.
“Kung inabutan kaya ni Rizal ang panahong nadatnan natin sa panunungkulan, masabi kaya niyang sulit ang kanyang isinakripisyo?" “Malayo na po ang ating narating, ngunit hindi rito nagtatapos ang paglalakbay ng ating bayan. Malinaw ang ating hangarin: ang madatnan ang isang maayos na kinabukasan kung saan kung may daing ka, may makikinig; kung may kailangan ka, may tutugon, at kung inaapi ka, may magtatanggol," Aquino said. Aquino also took a dig at his critics, including those from the past administration, who he said continue to work to bring the country back to the old days. But he said he is ready to face them, because he knows the people are behind him.
“Ngayon po meron pa ring nagnanais pabagsakin at dungisan ang ating malinis na hangarin. Nguni’t hindi ako nangangamba dito dahil alam kong nasa likod ko kayo. Lalabanan ko ang sinuman. Haharapin ko ang anumang hadlang at hindi ako aatras sa laban dahl alam ko hindi ako nag-iisa. Kayo nga po ang boss ko at alam kong sagot ninyo ako. Sama-sama nating mararating ang bansang natatanglawan ng tunay na kaunlaran," he said. Speaking at the flag-raising ceremonies in the morning, the President also called attention to his administration’s
moves against poverty and corruption.
— Paterno Esmaquel/MRT/KBK, GMA News 
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