Eastern Visayas execs laud pro-poor policies in PRRD’s SONA

TACLOBAN CITY, July 23 -- President Rodrigo Duterte’s 3rd State of the Nation Address has earned praises from key national government officials in Eastern Visayas, citing the Chief Executive’s genuine concern for the welfare of ordinary Filipinos.

National Economic Development Authority Regional Director Bonifacio Uy said they are happy to hear him urging Congress to enact policies that will help attain the aspirations of Filipinos for a better life.

Among these policies that support the realization of the Philippine Development Plan are the National Land Use Code (NLUC), Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) package 2, and Rice Tariffication.

“The NLUC will help conserve our remaining forestlands and protect families from natural calamities through proper land zonings. TRAIN 2 will reduce business taxes especially for the small and medium businesses, make them more competitive and attract more investments, and provide additional resources to fund infrastructure projects and social services,” Uy said in a text message.

The tariffication, on the other hand, will lead to lower prices of rice and reduce poverty threshold, Uy added.

The official is optimistic these measures will contribute a lot to the attainment of “AmBisyon Natin 2040”. Under the vision, all Filipinos by 2040 will enjoy a stable and comfortable lifestyle, secured in the knowledge that each one has enough for their daily needs and unexpected expenses, plan and prepare for their own and their children's future.

On the “Build, Build, Build” program, Department of Public Works and Highways Regional Director Edgar Tabacon said this initiative will benefit the countryside with the President’s order to fast track all projects.

“The President is really serious on Build, Build, Build. In fact, next year, we will shift to annual cash-based budgeting where carry-over projects will not be allowed anymore. All planned projects for the year should be implemented within the year. We never had this in the past,” Tabacon explained.

Department of Labor and Employment Regional Director Cyril Ticao lauded Duterte for asking Congress to pass a law prohibiting illegal contractualization.

“Even with the absence of a law, a lot of business owners volunteered to regularize workers because they are convinced that the President is very concern on the plight of workers,” Ticao said.

The labor department’s regional chief said the passage of the law ending contractualization is a big help to thousands of low-income workers in the region.

Ramil Uy, regional information officer of the Department of Science and Technology, was impressed with the President’s stand to sacrifice friendship to end corruption.

“He mentioned that his position is so lonely and kicking his friends from positions due to wrongdoings made it lonelier. Because of Duterte, government service is much better and pro-Filipino regardless of your social status. That’s what Duterte government is, for everyone, not for the chosen ones,” he said. (SQM/PNA)