From the Website of the President
2014 Year Ender: 5 Signs of a More Progressive Philippines
December 31, 2014
(BUSAN,
South Korea) President Benigno S. Aquino III participates in the 25th
ASEAN-Republic of Korea Commemorative Summit Session 1 at the Convention
Hall 205 of the Busan Exhibition and Convention Center (BEXCO) on
Friday (December 12, 2014). The session agenda is to review of the
ASEAN-ROK cooperation and its future direction. With Summit theme:
“Building Trust, Bringing Happiness,” reflecting ROK’s commitment to
strengthen its relationship with ASEAN through trust, which should
result in happiness for the citizens of ASEAN and the ROK. (Photo by
Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
The Philippines in 2014 seemed like it was taking wing through an
unchartered sky. We experienced times of exhilarating promise and
fulfilment. We survived days of worry and self-doubt.
In a year that saw Filipinos continue to build more classrooms, and provide more social and medical support than ever before, we kept on questioning ourselves. Like a once-caged bird that suddenly found itself free, we were uncertain of our own strength. We doubted even our own accomplishments.
In early November, this writer joined a Media Workshop in South Korea, and was astonished to hear our hosts from the Korea International Cooperation Agency call our country “a rising power.” Sceptical and unsure, I turned to a Filipino co-fellow. I wanted to ask: “Is the Philippines really that much better?”
There are understandable reasons for our cynicism. For decades, we have been struggling against systematic corruption and poverty. But even that struggle has birthed milestones, and this year we have pulled off successes in governance and in inclusive progress. Yes, we cannot ignore the numerous reforms that still need to be done. However, we likewise need to acknowledge our decisive accomplishments if only to make sure that these are not reversed. We need to admit to ourselves that we’re better than we think we are, that we have brought our country to new heights. We need to recognize that we are in the next stage, which requires more work and greater resolve.
As we part with 2014, let us take stock of our key achievements in the last 365 days. As we look forward to 2015, let us give ourselves a chance for a renewal of inspiration. Let us breathe easy, claim and enjoy our Media Noche as a reward for a year’s work, and calmly, humbly tell ourselves: Good job, Pilipinas.
President
Benigno S. Aquino III and Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Haji
Mohammad Najib bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak MILF chairman Al Haj Murad
Ebrahim Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Teresita
Quintos-Deles in a photo opportunity with the official’s of the peace
panel after the Signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro
(CAB) at the Kalayaan Grounds of the Malacañan Palace on Thursday
(March 27, 2014). (Photo by Robert Viñas/ Malacañang Photo Bureau)
The Final Peace Agreement
(BUSAN,
South Korea) President Benigno S. Aquino III participates in the 25th
ASEAN-Republic of Korea Commemorative Summit Session 1 at the Convention
Hall 205 of the Busan Exhibition and Convention Center (BEXCO) on
Friday (December 12, 2014). The session agenda is to review of the
ASEAN-ROK cooperation and its future direction. With Summit theme:
“Building Trust, Bringing Happiness,” reflecting ROK’s commitment to
strengthen its relationship with ASEAN through trust, which should
result in happiness for the citizens of ASEAN and the ROK. (Photo by
Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau)In a year that saw Filipinos continue to build more classrooms, and provide more social and medical support than ever before, we kept on questioning ourselves. Like a once-caged bird that suddenly found itself free, we were uncertain of our own strength. We doubted even our own accomplishments.
In early November, this writer joined a Media Workshop in South Korea, and was astonished to hear our hosts from the Korea International Cooperation Agency call our country “a rising power.” Sceptical and unsure, I turned to a Filipino co-fellow. I wanted to ask: “Is the Philippines really that much better?”
There are understandable reasons for our cynicism. For decades, we have been struggling against systematic corruption and poverty. But even that struggle has birthed milestones, and this year we have pulled off successes in governance and in inclusive progress. Yes, we cannot ignore the numerous reforms that still need to be done. However, we likewise need to acknowledge our decisive accomplishments if only to make sure that these are not reversed. We need to admit to ourselves that we’re better than we think we are, that we have brought our country to new heights. We need to recognize that we are in the next stage, which requires more work and greater resolve.
As we part with 2014, let us take stock of our key achievements in the last 365 days. As we look forward to 2015, let us give ourselves a chance for a renewal of inspiration. Let us breathe easy, claim and enjoy our Media Noche as a reward for a year’s work, and calmly, humbly tell ourselves: Good job, Pilipinas.
President
Benigno S. Aquino III and Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Haji
Mohammad Najib bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak MILF chairman Al Haj Murad
Ebrahim Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Teresita
Quintos-Deles in a photo opportunity with the official’s of the peace
panel after the Signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro
(CAB) at the Kalayaan Grounds of the Malacañan Palace on Thursday
(March 27, 2014). (Photo by Robert Viñas/ Malacañang Photo Bureau)
An exceedingly important move forward for our country was achieved
this year after several decades of armed conflict and failed
negotiations. The “final peace agreement” between the Government of the
Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) was signed on
March 27, 2014.
The Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) is widely perceived to be critical step towards achieving peace in Muslim Mindanao. Its signing was greeted with optimism not only by Filipinos, but by peace advocates all over the world. United Kingdom First Secretary of the State and Leader of the House of Commons William Hague even called the signing an “inspiring example of how political leadership and democracy can rise above violence and division to provide the security and prosperity that all people want and deserve.”
The Fight against Corruption
Public vigilance and a more determined government brought about one of the most powerful signs that the Philippines is starting to rise above decades of widespread corruption: Three Senators and other influential individuals were arrested this year for their involvement in the pork barrel scam, which sapped billions of pesos from our nation’s coffers. Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada, and Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr surrendered to authorities after the Sandiganbayan issued warrants of arrest against them for charges of graft and plunder.
The detention of powerful plunder suspects likewise bring to light our country’s other triumphs in the fight against corruption. In the last three years, the Philippines has improved by 20 ranks in Transparency International’s Global Corruption Index. We are now ranked 85th out of 175 countries, up from 105th in 2012. World Bank President Jim Yong Kim even hailed our country as the “next Asian miracle” after pointing out that curbing corruption “is one of the things that the [Philippine] government is doing frankly better than any government in the world.”
Disaster Preparedness
Disaster Preparedness
A year and a few weeks after the Philippines exhibited astounding resilience and courage in withstanding typhoon Haiyan, the nation this time displayed solidarity and competence in coordinating and preparing for the deluge of super typhoon Hagupit.
Days before the Hagupit made landfall in the archipelago, the Department of Science and Technology’s Project Noah provided forecasts and critical information that helped government agencies evacuate more than 616,000 Filipinos from areas where the super typhoon wreaked havoc. The result: Hundreds of thousands of Filipino lives were saved.
International media institutions and global cooperation agencies such as the United Nations have commended the government and the Filipino people for an “excellent job” in responding to Hagupit. Margareta Wahlstrom, head of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, said: “All arms of government, including the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, and local government units like Tacloban City pulled together to save lives and minimize the damage being inflicted by this disaster event.”
Inclusive Development
The Philippines or any other nation can never be truly progressive if there are people who continue to suffer in poverty and be held in low esteem by the government that is supposed to serve them. This is why it is encouraging to know that the social welfare, education, health sectors continue to receive some of the highest allocations from the government budget to make sure that poor and marginalized are the focus of the development process.
As of November 2014, the government’s conditional cash transfer program, the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), is providing health and education grants for 4.5 million households. This means that 3.5 million families have been included since 2010 in the list of struggling Filipinos receiving support from government. Moreover, the 4Ps was expanded this year to include 15 to 18 year old poor but deserving children to ensure that they receive sufficient support to finish high school.
In the last four years, an additional 34.69 Filipinos have become beneficiaries of PhilHealth. President Aquino has likewise signed into law in November RA 10675, which allows over 6 million Filipino senior citizens to avail of PhilHealth benefits just by presenting their identification card to hospitals.
Another key legislation signed by the President in 2014 is RA 10648. With the “Iskolar ng Bayan” Law, high school graduates from public schools will now receive college scholarships if they rank among the Top 10 in their class.
‘The Fastest Growing Southeast Asian Economy’
In 2014, the Philippine economy continued to progress rapidly, inspiring confidence from global institutions and foreign investors. In the first 9 months of the year, net foreign investments grew by 61.3%.
The Moody’s Investors Services likewise upgraded the country’s credit rating this December to Baa2 with a stable outlook. This means that the Philippines is now considered to have a “less risky” business climate, and leads not only to lower borrowing costs and interest rates but also to encouraging foreign companies to invest in our archipelago.
Moreover, in 2015, the Philippine economy is expected to again be the fastest growing in Southeast Asia, one of the best performing regions in the world. The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales said our country will grow by over 6.4% to lead the region again next year.
These signs of a vibrant Philippine economy tell a story of hope and convincing optimism as we welcome 2015. It tells us that, despite the challenges of natural calamities and the need to rebuild after Typhoon Haiyan, the Philippines forges on gainfully because we continue to work with vigor and principle. Let us claim this New Year as a time to shed all doubts about ourselves and our country. The Philippines is indeed becoming a better country, and we all should be proud that we are making this happen.
The Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) is widely perceived to be critical step towards achieving peace in Muslim Mindanao. Its signing was greeted with optimism not only by Filipinos, but by peace advocates all over the world. United Kingdom First Secretary of the State and Leader of the House of Commons William Hague even called the signing an “inspiring example of how political leadership and democracy can rise above violence and division to provide the security and prosperity that all people want and deserve.”
The Fight against Corruption
Public vigilance and a more determined government brought about one of the most powerful signs that the Philippines is starting to rise above decades of widespread corruption: Three Senators and other influential individuals were arrested this year for their involvement in the pork barrel scam, which sapped billions of pesos from our nation’s coffers. Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada, and Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr surrendered to authorities after the Sandiganbayan issued warrants of arrest against them for charges of graft and plunder.
The detention of powerful plunder suspects likewise bring to light our country’s other triumphs in the fight against corruption. In the last three years, the Philippines has improved by 20 ranks in Transparency International’s Global Corruption Index. We are now ranked 85th out of 175 countries, up from 105th in 2012. World Bank President Jim Yong Kim even hailed our country as the “next Asian miracle” after pointing out that curbing corruption “is one of the things that the [Philippine] government is doing frankly better than any government in the world.”
Disaster PreparednessA year and a few weeks after the Philippines exhibited astounding resilience and courage in withstanding typhoon Haiyan, the nation this time displayed solidarity and competence in coordinating and preparing for the deluge of super typhoon Hagupit.
Days before the Hagupit made landfall in the archipelago, the Department of Science and Technology’s Project Noah provided forecasts and critical information that helped government agencies evacuate more than 616,000 Filipinos from areas where the super typhoon wreaked havoc. The result: Hundreds of thousands of Filipino lives were saved.
International media institutions and global cooperation agencies such as the United Nations have commended the government and the Filipino people for an “excellent job” in responding to Hagupit. Margareta Wahlstrom, head of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, said: “All arms of government, including the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, and local government units like Tacloban City pulled together to save lives and minimize the damage being inflicted by this disaster event.”
Inclusive DevelopmentThe Philippines or any other nation can never be truly progressive if there are people who continue to suffer in poverty and be held in low esteem by the government that is supposed to serve them. This is why it is encouraging to know that the social welfare, education, health sectors continue to receive some of the highest allocations from the government budget to make sure that poor and marginalized are the focus of the development process.
As of November 2014, the government’s conditional cash transfer program, the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), is providing health and education grants for 4.5 million households. This means that 3.5 million families have been included since 2010 in the list of struggling Filipinos receiving support from government. Moreover, the 4Ps was expanded this year to include 15 to 18 year old poor but deserving children to ensure that they receive sufficient support to finish high school.
In the last four years, an additional 34.69 Filipinos have become beneficiaries of PhilHealth. President Aquino has likewise signed into law in November RA 10675, which allows over 6 million Filipino senior citizens to avail of PhilHealth benefits just by presenting their identification card to hospitals.
Another key legislation signed by the President in 2014 is RA 10648. With the “Iskolar ng Bayan” Law, high school graduates from public schools will now receive college scholarships if they rank among the Top 10 in their class.
‘The Fastest Growing Southeast Asian Economy’
In 2014, the Philippine economy continued to progress rapidly, inspiring confidence from global institutions and foreign investors. In the first 9 months of the year, net foreign investments grew by 61.3%.
The Moody’s Investors Services likewise upgraded the country’s credit rating this December to Baa2 with a stable outlook. This means that the Philippines is now considered to have a “less risky” business climate, and leads not only to lower borrowing costs and interest rates but also to encouraging foreign companies to invest in our archipelago.
Moreover, in 2015, the Philippine economy is expected to again be the fastest growing in Southeast Asia, one of the best performing regions in the world. The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales said our country will grow by over 6.4% to lead the region again next year.
These signs of a vibrant Philippine economy tell a story of hope and convincing optimism as we welcome 2015. It tells us that, despite the challenges of natural calamities and the need to rebuild after Typhoon Haiyan, the Philippines forges on gainfully because we continue to work with vigor and principle. Let us claim this New Year as a time to shed all doubts about ourselves and our country. The Philippines is indeed becoming a better country, and we all should be proud that we are making this happen.
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