CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga -- Many residents in Central Luzon were further convinced that the administration of President Rodrigo R. Duterte is indeed committed to bringing genuine and meaningful change for the betterment of the nation and the Filipino people.
People in the region were glued to their TV sets as the President enumerated his plans and programs for the next 12 months in his third State of the Nation Address (SONA), and expressed belief and high hope that his administration could steer the nation towards peace, progress and development.
Romano Esguerra, a retired high school teacher in Nueva Ecija, said the President’s SONA was well said, straightforward and strongly reiterated the Chief Executive’s desire to maintain peace and order that would propel the country to progress and development.
”The President’s SONA is direct to the point which clearly reflected the Filipinos’ longing for change, especially in dealing with illegal drugs and corruption,” Esguerra said.
Aurora Ramos, a mother of a former drug addict who voluntarily surrendered under Oplan Tokhang, said she is so happy with the President’s unabating efforts to fight drugs which helped his son change for the better.
“I am happy to hear that the President remained determined in his fight against illegal drugs. His administration’s war on drugs will save more lives,” she said.
Roseann Villaroman, a hotel and management student at the Central Luzon State University, said she was convinced that the President’s SONA manifests strong commitment to curb graft and corruption.
”It is very encouraging as the days of crooks in government are now numbered. It is a gigantic task as he goes on to clean and overhaul the bureaucracy, but I strongly believe that he can do it," Villaroman said.
Businessman Warren Inductivo said the Chief Executive’s directive for ease of doing business is one way to attract more investors to do and expand business in the country.
“His order directing all government units and agencies to implement the law that would simplify the process in doing business is a welcome development for our sector,” he said.
Professor Reynaldo Naguit of the Bulacan State University, for his part, praised the President for his efforts to push his legislative agenda such as the creation of the Department of Disaster Management.
“The creation of Department of Disaster Management is very called for, given the disaster brought about by climate change,” he said.
Likewise, Karen Sta. Rosa, a student at the Don Honorio Ventura Technology State University, said that the President's speech is significant and meaningful especially the part on his pro-environment stand.
“The Chief Executive's warning against miners not to destroy the environment is a demonstration of his concern not only to human lives but also to natural resources,” she said.
Political Science student Roger Sta. Ana, meanwhile, said he finds sincerity in President Duterte’s speech, particularly in his administration’s international relations policy.
“His strong words to assert and pursue an independent foreign policy showed the President’s deep concern for the overseas Filipino workers,” he said.
The agriculture sector in the region likewise hailed the President’s SONA with high hopes that the administration would give priority to the plight of the farmers and fisherfolk.
Fisherman Aurelio dela Pena said he is optimistic that the Duterte administration will implement more programs in the agricultural sector that could uplift their lives.
“The President’s call for Congress to pass a bill establishing the coconut farmers’ trust fund at the soonest possible time is a good sign. We hope that we will be the next in his concern,” dela Pena said.
Consuelo Abelgas, a housewife and mother of four children, said that every word uttered by the President in his SONA was filled with love for the country and the Filipino people.
”I was teary-eyed because I do believe that genuine change is really coming through his strong leadership,” she said. (PNA)
