Palace Disputes Vice President Binay’s Allegations of Inefficiency

Malacañang on Thursday refuted Vice President Jejomar Binay’s claim that the present administration has failed the Filipino people.

During the launch of his political party on Wednesday, Vice President Binay accused the administration of being lazy, slow and indecisive.

In response, Communication Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. said in a statement that President Benigno S. Aquino III’s government has fostered the Filipino people’s welfare through good governance.

“Masipag, maagap at masinop ang gobyerno sa pagtugon sa pangangailangan ng mga mamamayan,” Secretary Coloma said.

“Pinaghahandaan ang krisis at kalamidad bago pa man ito sumapit upang tiyakin ang kaligtasan at kapakanan ng sambayanan.”

Giving several examples, Coloma said the government has put in place measures that would help ensure the people’s safety when calamities strike.

“Di ba’t ngayon bago pa dumating ang malakas na bagyo ganap na ang kahandaan ng gobyerno sa pamamagitan ng NDRRMC (National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council) para harapin ang panganib ng kalamidad upang matamo ang layuning zero casualties, katuwang ang mga local disaster risk reduction councils?” he said.

He noted that the weather forecasts made by the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) have become more accurate, owing to the modern equipment acquired by the government.

He also cited the role of Project NOAH (Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards) in helping prevent and mitigate disasters.

Coloma further said that because of the government’s prudent spending, the Department of Public Works and Highways has saved Php 49 billion in the construction of major infrastructure projects.

“Bukod sa pagiging masipag, maagap at masinop, ang pamahalaang Aquino ay nag-ukol ng pinakamataas na prayoridad sa pagpapaangat ng antas ng kabuhayan ng mga mamamayan,” he said.

To fight poverty, the Aquino government has allocated a huge chunk of the 2015 national budget – almost 37 percent or nearly Php 1 trillion — for social development and poverty reduction, he said.

Coloma explained that to attain its goal that “no one, especially the poor and the vulnerable, should be left behind”, the government expanded the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) program.

“Sa halip na ‘ala tsamba’ o ‘trickle-down effect’, tuwirang tinugunan ng pamahalaan ang kanilang mga pangangailangan sa edukasyon, kalusugan, hanapbuhay at pabahay,” he said.

“Nagbunga na ang mga pagpupunyaging ito habang patuloy pang pinaiigting ang pagsisikap na makamit ang pag-unlad ng nakararami o inclusive growth.”

Recent surveys have shown the positive results of these initiatives, he said, citing a survey conducted by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) last May that noted a decrease of 800,000 families experiencing involuntary hunger.

In terms of generating employment, Coloma said the country’s unemployment rate dropped to 6.6 percent in January 2015 from 7.5 percent in 2014.

The number of overseas Filipino workers also decreased from 10 million to 8.4 million, he added.

“Bumaba na rin ang bilang ng mga kabataang hindi nakakapag-aral. Sa isang pananaliksik ng Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) at UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund), bumaba ang insidente ng out-of-school children, sa pagitan ng limang taong gulang hanggang labing-limang taong gulang, ng higit sa kalahati mula 11.7 percent tungo sa 5.2 percent,” he said.

“Dagdag pa rito, ang antas ng pre-primary students ay tumaas mula 35 percent tungo sa 48 percent at karamihan ay mula sa mga pamilyang tinaguriang ‘headed by poorly educated individuals’. Ito ay patunay na naging epektibo ang mga programa ng gobyerno na tulad ng 4Ps, CCT at K-to-12.”

Coloma assured that in its remaining year in office, the administration will continue to implement reforms to strengthen public institutions.

“Ang gobyerno ay TUNAY na nasa kamay ng mga Boss. Batay sa prinsipyo ng mabuting pamamahala, mayroon tayong gobyernong bukas, hayag at may pananagutan,” he said.

“President Aquino has built on the platform of good governance. The Aquino administration has brought forth a government that is open, transparent and accountable. The Aquino administration stands on its record of good governance that has transformed Philippine society and restored the Filipinos’ sense of pride and dignity. Taas-noo na ngayon ang Pilipino sa kahit sinuman sa buong mundo,” Coloma added. (PNA) RMA/PND/EDS