PNoy’s 1st year, SONA speeches to be ‘thematic, inspirational’

President Benigno Aquino III’s speech to mark his first year in office on Thursday and his State of the Nation Address (SONA) late next month will be thematic and inspirational but will not include “details," a Malacañang official said Wednesday. At a press briefing, Presidential Communications Operations head Herminio Coloma said the technical details of President Aquino’s accomplishments will be presented by the five clusters of his Cabinet. “As much as possible, hindi siya nagtatalumpati nang mahaba, even yung SONA nais niya maikli lamang. Kaya yung talumpati niya bukas, yung talumpati niya sa SONA, maaaring thematic, inspirational, aspirational pero kung hinahanap ay mga detalye, maaaring matunghayan doon sa SONA technical report," he said. He said starting next week, there will be five pre-SONA presentations by the Cabinet clusters that will explain in details the action programs of the government as embodied in the Philippine Development Plan, formerly the Medium Term Philippine Development Plan. Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima will present the economic development, with Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Soliman the human development and poverty reduction efforts. Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. will present on security, justice and peace; and Environment Secretary Ramon Paje will present on climate change and environment. President Aquino heads the good governance and anti-corruption cluster. PNoy's achievements During the same press briefing, Coloma said good governance and regaining the people’s trust and confidence in the government are major achievements of the Aquino administration during its first year. “I think it is setting forth new governance, good governance characterized by integrity, honesty, transparency and accountability," he said. “Ito po ang nagpanumbalik sa pagtitiwala ng ating mga mamamayan hindi lamang sa pamahalaan kundi ang pagtitiwala na puwede naman palang mangarap at puwede naman palang matamo yung mga hinahangad na mga pagbabago sa lipunan," he added. Coloma noted that the country has moved forward toward the direction set by the President, who initiated reform measures that ensure transparency in government and curtail corruption. “Mula sa isang pamahalaan na ang nakikinabang lamang ay ang iilan tungo sa isang lipunan na lahat ng mamamayan ay nakikinabang," he said. Pilipinas Natin Program Marking his first year in office, President Aquino will be leading the launching of Pilipinas Natin Program, a campaign for partnership between the government and the Filipino people for nation building. Coloma said the activity, which will be held at Philippine Sports Arena in Pasig City, revisits President Aquino’s vision and renews his commitment in the social contract he made with the Filipino people. “We are affirming the spirit of people power and volunteerism that gave President Aquino an overwhelming mandate to lead the country last year," he said. “Humility and solidarity among all sectors in Philippine society is essential to the attainment of the vision. And that is why the audience tomorrow at Ultra will be made up mostly of volunteers, citizens and peoples organizations all over the country who will affirm their support for the President and his program of government," he added. He said all sectors and political parties, even the opposition, are invited to the event. He, however, said that the Aquino administration will pursue the principle of reconciliation with justice. “Dapat nating ibalik iyong sense of right and wrong. Hindi naman po pwede iyong kakalimutan na lamang o isiping pwede nang sweep things under the rug," Coloma said. Budget Asked how much the event would cost the government, he said they asked for a P5-million to P10-million budget. He assured the public that the fund will be properly accounted for. “Tinitiyak ko po na iyong paglalaanan ng budget are in accordance with the President’s guidelines and parameters for frugal and proper spending of government resources," he said Before the launching of Pilipinas Natin, President Aquino will be signing into law Thursday morning the bill postponing the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) polls and synchronizing it with the national and local elections in 2013. He will also witness the signing of a memorandum of agreement (MOA) between the Department of Education (DepEd), Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and Gawad Kalinga for the construction of 1,000 new school buildings nationwide. Under the MOA, Coloma said, PAGCOR is tasked to channel some of its resources to finance the construction of additional 1000 class rooms. Once completed, the classrooms will be immediately turned over to DepEd. Gawad Kalinga will provide manpower or their “sweat equity" for the construction of the public school buildings. — KBK, GMA News