Lawmaker Gives SONA Almost Perfect Rating

Cagayan De Oro City (PNA) -– A lawmaker gave an almost perfect rating to President Benigno Aquino III’s last State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday.

Rep. Rufus Rodriguez of Cagayan De Oro City gave a rating of “9,” in a scale of “10,” to the Aquino government for bringing the country to a “higher level of economic development.”

He said that the Aquino administration has initiated programs that reduced poverty, lowered unemployment rates, increased direct foreign investment, and on good governance.

Mr. Aquino’s fight against graft and corruption in the government through the administration’s “Tuwid na Daan” (straight path) policy has also brought confidence among investors in the US and Europe to invest in the country, Rodriguez said.

He said that the Aquino administration has transformed the country as the “new economic Tiger” in Asia.

Aquino also worked for the attainment of a lasting peace and economic development of Mindanao by pushing the approval of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), Rodriguez said.

In Cagayan De Oro City, the Aquino administration has poured and is pouring about Php 10 billion for various major infrastructure projects through the efforts of Rep. Rodriguez.

The value of the major infrastructure projects does not include the cost of regular projects such as farm-to-market roads, road repairs, flood control dikes, water projects, school buildings, education and scholarship, health assistance, and livelihood projects.

The projects include the now almost completed Php 3-billion coastal highway, the approved Php 2-billion skyline highway, the approved Php 3-billion diversion highway from the border of Cagayan De Oro City and Manolo Fortich in Bukidnon to the Lagunidingan Airport in Misamis Oriental.

Meanwhile, Ramon Tabor, a lawyer, and a member of the city’s legislative body, said that he appreciated the President’s achievements in the field of infrastructures, defense, and education.

“Although we did not hear the plans and the programs that Aquino would commit to fulfill in his remaining months in office, we were satisfied of the President’s SONA,” Tabor said.

Another lawyer, Antonio Soriano, chair of a local citizens’ group advocating good government, gave the President a rating of “7” in a scale of 10 in infrastructure development and tourism. (PNA) LAP/CD