P-Noy’s 3rd SONA drew praises from Sorsoganons; militant groups hushed

By: Bennie A. Recebido

SORSOGON CITY, July 24 – President Benigno Aquino III’s longest ever SONA on Monday, June 23, which lasted for almost one and a half hour, drew more praises and positive feedback from majority of the Sorsoganons compared to his previous SONAs, as monitored from various local media outlets and as stated by some bystanders here. And again, the use of the national language made his SONA appreciated by common Filipinos.

“The SONA presentation was made simple yet comprehensible,” said Connie Llanete, a carenderia owner here.

In an informal interview with some tricycle drivers, sidewalk vendors, college students as well as private and government workers, they did not hide their conviction over the achievements the President has presented saying Sorsoganons who belong to the marginalized sector now really feel that the government is taking good care of them citing the ‘Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program’ (Conditional Cash Transfer Program), the universal Philhealth benefits, as well as scholarships and other educational benefits presently enjoyed by the beneficiaries.

The fight against corruption swayed many Sorsoganons and likewise, appreciated the President’s value for convergence and “bayanihan” system as a tool towards achieving good governance.

Touching on the Philippines-China dispute, many were convinced about President Aquino’s stand. “He is bullying a brave front over the China issue, and that is a good move,” said an employee of a private company here who doesn’t want his name to be revealed.

“Crediting to Filipinos the administration’s achievements for the past one year is in no doubt an indication that the President is sincere in saying “Kayo ang Boss ko” (“You are my boss.”),” some others also said.

But still, just as the saying goes, “you cannot please anyone”, there are still those who found the SONA lacking in merit.

According to one media commentator here, though the President elaborated credit rating upgrades, high stock market record, higher growth of domestic product than projected, still the President failed to state the current situation of the country.

“I may, perhaps, have a different perspective of what SONA is, but given all the achievements and future plans of the President, he should have also presented the current status of the country, whether it has been elevated from a particular rank to another rank specifically in terms of poverty and/or economic indices,” he said.

Another media practitioner said that the impressive statistics presented are just but all parts of a political gambit.

Also, according to a few, modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is a lofty dream. But, they are still open to the possibility of attaining this dream saying nothing is wrong in dreaming loftily, trusting the President’s “those impossible may be made possible.”

And to one non-government worker who looked at modernization effort positively, said that procurement of equipment of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and modernization of the AFP show how the President value the life of our uniformed men coming up an effective strategy to make sure these men can still go back to their family intact and alive after every response to the call of duty.

Meanwhile, surprising to most Sorsoganons, militant groups here who were expected to air out sentiments through march rally and demonstrations during the President’s SONA were quiet and were not seen dispersed doing any activity at the city’s identified protester’s area and even along main thoroughfares.

Some media reports, however, disclosed that a number of members of the militant groups here went to some parts in Bicol region and in Manila to join bigger activities there while about one or two persons quietly displayed some placards and streamers at the shoulder of Alice Bridge in Magsaysay St., Sorsogon City. (BARecebido, PIA Sorsogon)