Sanaysay: SONA 2013

SONA 2013

Carl Angelo Mateo Caluag

          Last July 22, 2013, President Benigno Aquino III delivered his fourth state of the nation address or SONA at the Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City. As customary, he spoke about the country’s condition in its political, economic, and social aspect. He also spoke about the government’s plan of solution and how it alleviated or solved the country’s problems. He presented some of the exemplary Filipinos who showed noble conducts and admired them for their deeds. But the most important and controversial part of his speech is the promises left by him on the ears of the Filipinos.

          PNoy’s subject of the righteous path or “matuwid na daan” is admirable. It is good that his administration claimed to have resolved the agricultural crisis in rice supply and coconut production and propagation. It is good that he claimed to have produced military weapons and equipments for the Army. It is good that he claimed to have enhanced the health benefits of public hospitals, provided housing for the informal settlers, and added books and rooms in schools for education. The plans and projects are all but laudable. But all of these are just claims. Approval is relative on different social groups. These may apply to one community, and not on another. That is why there are riots outside the area of Batasan Hall. The main reason of these abhorrent activities is because they perceive PNoy’s claims as assumptions, and in some cases, direct lies. The president must present more visible and reliable data to vividly prove his claims.

          More important than the past are the present and the future. The promises given by the president inspired expectations to the countrymen, but to many, it is interwoven with doubt. The source and benefactor of the government’s billion-peso monetary fund is indeed questionable. Why does poverty tend to enlarge if the pork barrel has been augmented and allegedly allocated to the community? Everyone should observe carefully. Does the administration carry out its rightful duty to improve the country’s food supply, to enhance the education system, to protect our territory, and to solve political arguments? Or does it enflame corruption and suppress the political and economic progression of the country that they claim they love and would die for? President Noynoy’s SONA is audibly satisfying, but may realistically need improvement.