President Aquino’s fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) drew mixed reactions among Cebuanos, as most officials saw it more as a positive review of the past year.
Local officials, including mayors of towns devastated by supertyphoon Yolanda, were elated with the President’s speech where he announced the approval of a P12.2 billion plan to rehabilitate storm-affected areas in north Cebu.
Gov. Hilario Davide III, who was at the Batasang Pambansa to witness the SONA.
“The President spoke from the heart. It was a sincere speech and personally, I was moved by it,” he said.
“After this announcement, we expect instructions from the concerned government agencies about where the money will go so. Soon enough, all the projects we listed in the plan would be started.”
Davide was informed ahead of the SONA about approval of the Yolanda rehabilitation plan for Cebu through the Office of the Presidential Assistant for Recovery and Rehabilitation headed by Panfilo Lacson.
Daanbantayan Mayor Augusto Corro said the President’s announcement was “worth the wait” especially with the number of schools in his town that have yet to be repaired. “I’m very, very happy. I don’t care if it was delayed, it was worth the wait,” said Corro.
“I was even thinking, I don’t need to finish watching the speech anymore. I was only concerned about the approval of the plan,” he added.
Madridejos Mayor Salvador dela Fuente said the long approval process was understandable.
“We can’t rush things like this. We have our procurement system. But now, it’s all systems go for north Cebu,” he said.
Several mayors from Cebu’s second district were also present at the Batasan. Davide said among then were: Samboan Mayor Raymond Calderon, Alegria Mayor Verna Magallon, Santander Mayor Marilyn Wenceslao, Oslob Mayor Ronald Guaren, Alcoy Mayor Nic Delos Santos, Moalboal Mayor Inocentes Cabaron, Dalaguete Mayor Ronald Cesante, Boljoon Mayor Merlou Derama and 2nd District Board Member Peter John Calderon.
While calling the President’s speech “laudable” and “well prepared,” Cebu City south district Rep. Rodrigo Abellanosa said the Sona did not present a clear outline of what the administration’s legislative agenda will be.
“The Sona of 2014 is overflowing with reports by the President on the accomplishments of the national government. Many of these are very laudable and are engendered by the President’s insistence on government reforms, (but it is) lacking in statements of the administration’s final thrusts and policy directions.”
Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama said that he is “happy” the President mentioned the approval of the Bus Rapid Transit system – “something which he missed last year”.
He said said the president’s report “was a comprehensive presentation ending with clear conviction.”
The mayor, who is in the United States, said he was able to follow the Sona proceedings on his laptop.
Acting Cebu City mayor Edgar Labella, said he was happy that Aquino did not dwell on the DAP.
Cebu City Councilor Alvin Dizon said the President missed fully explain ing certain issues like migration, welfare of overseas Filipino workers, job generation and the pork barrel scam.
The speech is his “last two minutes of the game. The President the team captain, must step up his game; rally the people to a ‘full court press’ to defend and further the gains of his administration, and deliver victory for the people,” he said.