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Reaction to SONA 2008

Published: August 4, 2008   |     |     |   Subscribe: RSS or Email    

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“I did not hear her Sona up to the end. But I think that the good programs will not be effective if corruption issues are not handled. If businesses are not happy, we won’t get the foreign investment.” — Angel Puentespina, president, Davao Tourism Association

“I’m happy that the president is focusing on programs that will alleviate poverty and help our countrymen survive the global economic crisis.” –Margarita Montemayor-Nograles, distributor, Havaianas

” If GMA says that VAT stabilized the economy, the people did not feel that. People suffer more because of VAT. VAT is the reason why prices of basic commodities are rising. She says that VAT became source of subsidies but majority of the Filipino people did not benefit from it. According to data, Arroyo collected 86 billion from VAT but only5.7 billion was distributed. Where did the 80 billion pesos go? Vat has only become a source of corruption. –Makpil Camacho, deputy secretary- general, Bayan

” For the workers under the Kilusang Mayo Uno, what GMA is saying that the economy has progressed is not true. Wage only increased by 10-20 peso and most of it is the cost of living allowance. Progress is not felt by the people. If you look at what’s happening, the cost of fare is very high. Lines are very long in NFA outlets. What she said are mere ‘pogi’ points. The economy is in crisis. Survey shows that hunger is prevalent. Workers are deprived of the 125 across- the- board wage increase. Where can you see the progress in the economy? There is no logic with that. Many people are starving.” — Robert Lausa, spokesperson, KMU- Southern Mindanao Region

“What more can we expect from PGMA’s 8th SONA? It’s just another round of state rhetoric, empty promises and lack of political will to address the real state of the Filipino children. Since PGMA assumed power, the gap between children’s vulnerability and the fulfilment of their rights continue to widen. To some extent, there’s growing despair among children who are deprived of their basic rights to survival, development, protection, and participation. Poverty and hunger incidence is at its peak especially here in Mindanao which registers a poverty incidence of 40 percent. Peasant children (Lumad, Moro, Christian) are also being displaced because of intensified militarization in the countryside. If she really meant social programs for the poor in her Sona, what we want is a comprehensive approach and not palliative measures. Filipino children demands food not bombs, education not bullets, free and accessible health services and not militarization, basic social services for the disadvantaged and not exhorbitant taxes.”

— Honey May Idul-Suazo

executive secretary

KABIBA Alliance for Children’s Concerns, Inc,

“Vat is the reason why the people wallow in poverty. Vat should be removed especially the Vat in gasoline because it directly affects the poor. Big oil players are not affected by this. There is no progress as what she claims.” –Gabriel Dumayac, 23, laborer in Matina

” The subsidies she gave are only propaganda to cover up her crimes against the people. She wants Vat because of the kickbacks. It could be true that she distributed lands but only to a few. ” –Richmond Madraso, 22, husband in Buhangin

“GMA’s speech is same old story. I don’t feel any progress. There is no change in the clamor for wage increase. The prices of basic goods and fare are very high. Oil prices are being manipulated because if Shell and Petron are loosing in their business, why is it that plenty of small players in the oil industry are emerging?” –Jhong Abraham, 24, self- employed

” Why is she prioritizing building infrastructures? She should feed the people. She only wants to boast to foreigners that the society is progressing but deep inside many people are hungry.” — Mark Anthony Casquio, 18, mountaineer

“She says that she gave plenty of scholarships and yet public schools are not for free.” –Marc Roca, 17, student