"The President’s speech challenges us all."
"The President’s speech challenges us all."
In my column last week, I expressed what I hoped the President would address in the SONA. To reiterate, I emphasized the need to catalyze development in the countryside. Quezon province is the 8th largest province in the Philippines and the largest in Calabarzon. As Quezon governor, I am hopeful that the commitments of the President will be fulfilled, and the benefits will be felt at the grassroots level.
In last Monday’s SONA, the President declared war on corruption. In matters of spending public funds, underutilization was a thorny issue in several government departments during budget deliberations. Corruption issues cast a heavy shadow when it comes to underspending, whether such allegations are justified or not. With the President’s zero tolerance for corruption, issues of underspending will hopefully be a thing of the past. Government spending should achieve its intended goals efficiently and with full accountability and transparency.
Among the President’s legislative agenda, I look forward to the immediate passage and implementation of the Magna Carta for Barangays, which should include retirement benefits. This has been my advocacy as congressman in recognition of the contribution of barangay officials and employees to the peace and order in their communities. Barangays are at the forefront of public service and important partners in the growth and development of cities and provinces. With the enactment of the Magna Carta, the barangay shall be more equipped and effective in the performance of its functions, delivery of public services, and contribution to nation-building. An empowered barangay, in the long run, will be able to increase its productivity and gainful opportunities for its citizens.
The President also emphasized the importance of the National Land Use Act to local government units. Through this Act, we will be able to utilize idle lands and maximize its potential for agriculture and fisheries, and properly allocate considerable land for resettlement. I have always believed that all lands, except protected lands and lands belonging to indigenous peoples, should be fully utilized and developed in order to bring progress to the countryside.
Meanwhile, the establishment of the Coconut Levy Trust Fund will be a big help to the coconut industry. With the recent Court declaration that these funds are public in nature, it is only rightful that these be devoted to its ultimate purpose of developing the coconut industry and aiding coconut farmers. Research and development on coconut farming needs attention, given the weather changes that affect production. The President recommended that a significant portion be invested, perhaps due to fear of misuse. While this issue should be revisited, I share in the plight of our coconut farmers, specifically those involved in copra production. Our coconut farmers are in dire need of fiscal assistance because of the importation of palm oil. While I was congressman, I filed a resolution and personally wrote a letter to the Secretary of Department of Trade and Industry to halt the importation of palm oil to protect our local coconut industry.
The President’s speech challenged us to take a hard look within ourselves and see if we have indeed become our own enemies. Despite the good intentions of the administration’s agenda, these will be all for naught if we will not overcome the enemy within us. We should all set our personal agenda and ego aside, and work together to achieve progress and prosperity for our nation. After all, we cannot forward as a nation unless we self-assess and determine what we need to fix as individuals. That said, I agree with the President, change starts from within.