Change is inevitable. I believe change, with the right attitude, can be a catalyst for positive transitions, even if initially, on the surface, dealing with change can be rough.
President Rodrigo Duterte was elected as he promised to bring about change in our country. #ChangeisComing has become a popular hashtag associated with the President’s platform during his campaign. Two years into the Duterte administration, we have experienced a lot of changes. Many will agree with me that not everything was positive change.
This Monday, President Duterte delivered his third State of the Nation Address on a joint session of the House of Representatives and the Senate. The speech was brief and straightforward. The President spoke as a worker of government speaking from his heart.
The President didn’t go through every single achievement of his administration but promised to release a report about this in the next few days. I look forward to reading this report once it is made available to the public.
The President started his war on drugs. I recall my first Turno en Contra as Minority Floor Leader on 2016. We reminded that President that while the drug problem needed to be addressed, there are other urgent and pressing matters that require the President’s attention.
I was pleased to hear the President’s stand against corruption in the government. The President assured the people that when it comes to “friend” appointees, he expects all hands on deck. These men should be aligned with his administration. The President gave a stern warning to his friend appointees—do not give him reason to distance from their friendship.
The President also called for government agencies to improve their frontline services and make them more customer-friendly. As for the environment, he called for the preservation of other tourist spots, such as the case of Boracay. He warned irresponsible mining industry players. For the health sector, he aims to institutionalize primary health care as a prerequisite to access higher level of healthcare and supplement human resource gaps of LGUs through a National Health Workforce Support System. He then urged the speedy passage of the Universal Health Care Bill. With regard to the artificial rice shortage, he warned rice hoarders and cartels. However, he failed to tackle food security concerns, particularly the depleting supply of fish. We know that next to rice, fish is a staple in a Filipino family’s table. There is an urgent need to develop our fisheries and aquatic resources for our country’s food security. I wish this was something the President discussed during his Sona.
The President mentioned that all 5 packages of the TRAIN will be ready before the year ends, and he hoped to sign the second package of TRAIN into law this year as well. However, I reiterate my “revenue neutral” stand, wherein the government should only spend what it earns. If the government needs more money for its “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure program, maybe it would be better to borrow, instead of giving the burden to the taxpayers. By the time that these infrastructure projects are in place, we can earn from it and be able to pay our debts.
The President pushed for the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law, which was done by the Senate on Monday and by the House on Tuesday. I look forward to the fruition of the promises of this law to our fellow brothers and sisters in Mindanao.
He also pushed for the amendment of the Constitution, which will establish a federal government. This is truly a big change that would need the support of both Houses of Congress. Speaking of change, we know that this is not far from happening in Congress.
On Monday, former President and incumbent Representative of the Second District of Pampanga, Hon. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo took an oath as the new and the first female Speaker of the House. As I congratulate her, I also expect that she will do her best in carrying out the legislative agenda of President Duterte. We should all work together to achieve what is best for the Filipino people.