By Azer Parrocha/Philippine News Agency
MANILA — With only three more years left before his term ends, President Rodrigo Duterte vowed not to waste time in the pursuit of programs that will provide Filipinos with a more “comfortable life.”
Duterte recognized how government has accomplished so much in the past three years, but noted that the momentum must continue “with greater fervor in the next three years and beyond.”
“This is my pledge and commitment for just three years, if I can. If I cannot, I’m sorry. But I shall continue to comply with my constitutional duty to serve and protect the Filipino, until the last day of my term,” Duterte said in his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday (July 22).
He said he took full responsibility of the consequences of what the government, under his leadership, did and what it did not do but should have done during the first half of his term.
“I assume full responsibility for that. As President, I cannot pass it — the blame to anybody. So it’s on me,” Duterte said.
Duterte said he would work even harder until all the administration goals are achieved.
“Though we cannot change the past, we will not squander the future. I will push harder in the pursuit of programs that we have started, but always within the parameters of the law,” Duterte said.
“I will not merely coast along or while away my time during the remaining years of my administration. It ain’t my style. But I will not stop until I reach the finish line. Then and only then shall I call it a day,” he added.
In his 94-minute SONA, Duterte laid out his plans in the remaining three years leading up to 2022, with the following highlights:
• urged Congress to pass a bill reinstating death penalty for drugs and plunder.
• asked the Land Transportation Office, Social Security System, Bureau of Internal Revenue, Land Registration Authority, and the home development mutual fund or Pag-IBIG Fund to improve their services.
• urged Filipinos to be “more assertive” and report corrupt practices through 8888 hotline.
• vowed that there will be no corruption in operations of third telecommunication provider in the Philippines, Mislatel Consortium, now Dito Telecommunity.
• expressed support to the proposed measure to create the National Academy of Sports for High School students.
• urged Congress to pass a bill postponing the May 2020 elections barangay (village) and Sangguniang Kabataan (youth) elections to October 2022.
• suggested that Congress should enact the Magna Carta for Barangays which would give barangay officials fixed compensation, as well as additional allowance, medical and dental coverage and retirement benefits.
• urged Congress to pass a bill establishing the Department of Overseas Filipinos to ensure their welfare, protection and their access to government services.
• vowed to assert Philippine rights in the West Philippine Sea “in due time”.
• urged Congress to immediately pass Package 2 of the Comprehensive Tax Reform Program, or the TRABAHO Bill, which will lower corporate income tax, and rationalize and improve fiscal incentives.
• urged Congress to approve a new version of the Salary Standardization Law which is meant to increase salaries of national government workers, including teachers and nurses
• floated the idea of imposing a midnight liquor ban but will leave it to Congress to decide.
• urged Congress to review and pass the Government Rightsizing Bill to reconfigure the existing Metro Manila-centric bureaucracy; streamline government systems in order to deliver services without delay and within a short timeline.
• called for the creation of a Department of Disaster Resilience (DDR) to focus on the natural hazards and climate change.
• called for the establishment of a Department of Water Resources and Water Regulatory Commission to keep country’s water supply stable.
• urged Congress to pass a bill mandating a Fire Protection Modernization Program to prevent and suppress fires.
• urged Congress to pass the National Land Use Act (NALUA) within the year to create a plan for crafting respective development plans, and help disperse economic activities to the countryside.
• urged mayors and other local government officials to process papers within three days only.
• reiterated his request that the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and all concerned local officials in Metro Manila, and all other cities undertake immediate action to ensure the speedy and smooth flow of vehicular traffic.
• vowed for the urgent utilization of the PHP100-billion Coconut Levy Fund to benefit around 3.5 million coconut farmers nationwide.
• urged Land Bank to finance agricultural enterprises, focus on making a viable plan to help farmers, or threatened to abolish it.
• urged Congress to pass a more responsive version of the bill establishing the Coconut Farmers’ Trust Fund to ensure the accelerated utilization of coco levy funds.
• urged Department of Energy to fast-track also the development of renewable energy sources and reduce dependence on the traditional energy sources such as coal.
• urged Congress to support for legislative initiatives aimed at strengthening defense-related systems such as the proposed National Defense Act, the Unified Military and Uniformed Personnel Separation, Retirement, and Pension Bill, and the revival of the mandatory Reserve Officers’ Training Corps in Grades 11 and 12.
For the latest updates about this story, visit the Philippine News Agency website