PGMA’s SONA 2007

Leading the nation’s thrust to economic progress and political stability truly requires herculean effort and strength of character worthy of the Biblical patriarchs. In a country battered by divisiveness and turmoil in all sectors, is President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo standing up to the challenges of being Philippines’ “mother”?

Do I hear a resounding “no” somewhere? Hold your horses, people. Let’s not throw in our towels yet and declare enough is enough. Fellow countrymen, let’s review the points of contention.

10-point agenda:

1. The creation of six million jobs in six years via more opportunities given to entrepreneurs, tripling of the amount of loans for lending to small and medium enterprises and the development of one to two million hectares of land for agricultural business.

2. The construction of new buildings, classrooms, provision of desks and chairs and books for students and scholarships to poor families,

3. The balancing of the budget,

4. The “decentralization” of progress around the nation through the use of transportation networks like the roll-on, roll-off and the digital infrastructure,

5. The provision of electricity and water supply to barangays nationwide,

6. The decongestion of Metro Manila by forming new cores of government and housing centers in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao,

7. The development of Clark and Subic as the best international service and logistic centers in the region,

8. The automation of the electoral process,

9. A just end to the peace process, and

10. A fair closure to the divisiveness among the Edsa 1, 2 and 3 forces.

Well, as of 2006 SONA, some milestones were definitely achieved. Moreover, from a PhP50+ dollar rate exchange, we’re now down to PhP45. Sign of a strong peso, noh? However, progress can’t be merely measured by such (albeit it’s a strong indicator). Details of goals achieved and targets met - not to mention those still unachieved, unmet, and ignored - will be unfolded in the SONA 2007. So, do you have a verdict yet? Will PGMA’s 10-point agenda propel us to the much lauded goal of being a first-world country in two decades?

That we shall know in the upcoming State of the Nation Address this July 23, 2007. So, brace yourself kababayans!