Aquino’s last SONA about ‘story of governance,’ ‘history’ – Palace

The Malacañang Palace (Facebook photo)

MANILA – President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III will deliver his final State of the Nation Address (SONA) today at the Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City where he will report about the ‘story of governance’ and the ‘history’ of his entire six-year term.

The Malacañang has not disclosed any more details about Aquino’s last SONA.  It is expected, however, that the President will have a ‘comprehensive report’ about the accomplishments of his administration and the fulfillment of his promises to the people. It is also said that he will include plans for his remaining months in office.

Aquino has always pushed for a ‘daang matuwid’ in his government. He also sought to alleviate poverty and hunger; provide more employment opportunities; improve the education system; attain peace in Mindanao; modernize the Armed Forces; implement numerous policies, programs and projects; and achieve inclusive growth in the Philippines’ economy, among others.

“For the past five years, the average GDP (gross domestic product) growth of 6.3 percent has been the highest attained by the country in the past four decades. This is the fastest growth rate of any nation in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations region and the second-fastest in the Asia-Pacific region,” Presidential Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma said in a Philippine Daily Inquirer report.

“From only 800,000 families, there are now more than 4.4 million families that directly benefit from conditional cash transfers that are part of an expanded social safety net and social protection programs. The largest portion of the current national budget is allocated for social development and poverty reduction,” he added in the said report.

Coloma also asserted that more jobs have been made available and the justice system remained apolitical and impartial during the President’s term.

“[Aquino is] firmly determined to further improve the delivery of essential public services that strengthen public institutions so that we can build even stronger foundations for a sustainable and inclusive growth and progress that could be its legacy to future generations of Filipinos,” he said.

For the live stream, transcript, and special features of the SONA, visit this page: www.gov.ph/sona-2015