Aquino, Cabinet discuss action on issues raised in GMA's Biyaheng Totoo

President Benigno Aquino III and members of his Cabinet met on Tuesday and discussed the actions taken by the government regarding the concerns raised in GMA 7’s documentary “Biyaheng Totoo," which was aired in series before the May 10, 2010 elections. “Biyaheng Totoo" sought to identify the important issues the country’s next president must address. In them, ordinary citizens were asked to write letters addressed to the next president. The letters were written in a notebook, which Jessica Soho turned over to Aquino last October during her exclusive interview with him about his first 100 days in office. “It was more of an update for the President kung ano na yung ginagawa nating aksyon doon sa mga naging concerns na ni-raise dun sa documentary ng GMA na ‘Biyaheng Totoo’," said deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte, referring to the meeting. She said among those present were Secretaries Enrique Ona (Health), Armin Luistro (Education), Corazon Soliman (Social Welfare), Rogelio Singson (Public Works and Highways), and Presidential Management Staff chief Julia Abad. During the meeting, there was a presentation and identification of the concerns in 10 provinces and the proposed solutions, Valte said. Valte said there had been inter-agency meetings in the past to address the concerns, and what was discussed Tuesday were the first batch of proposed projects. She, however, did not specify them. She said some of the concerned agencies are set to submit their proposals. Provincial concerns She said the concerns in Maguindanao will be addressed by the Department of Education and Department of Public Works and Highways, while the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office has already procured an ambulance needed in one of the provinces featured in the documentary. She also noted that the construction of a school building in one of the provinces in the documentary will start in July. On concerns that need long-term solutions, Valte said they have finished the feasibility study on the need of one province to have a power supply and cold storage facility. Asked if the President appreciate the effort of the media to bring to his attention the concerns of the people, Valte replied in the affirmative. “Syempre naman lalo na sa malalayong mga lugar, hindi naman lahat tayo naabot yung mga lugar na ito. We appreciate the help that we can get para it gets brought to our attention at nagagawan natin ng paraan," she said. Best proposals She said during the meeting, Aquino asked the concerned agencies if their proposal is for the best solution the government could give to the people. “Meron siyang tinatanong sa mga proposed solutions kung ito ba talaga yung makakabuti, ano pa yung pwedeng gawin. Pag andun na yung proposal, kung ano pa yung magagawa all the agencies were on hand to give their input kung ano pa yung pwedeng gawin," Valte said. Asked if the government has a time frame to address the concerns, she said it will depend if the solution will be short-term or long-term, but she said they will try to solve these during Aquino’s term. — KBK, GMA News