State of the Nation Address (SONA)

           President Benigno Aquino III successfully delivered his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City and discussed matters regarding the country’s economy, defenses, public works, education, and many more. The last SONA is celebrated last July 28, 2014. Many people turned on their television and radio just to listen the speech and explanation of the president regarding to the problems of our country. 

          President Noynoy, or PNoy also addressed those keen to bring his administration down. Unfortunately, he did not delve deeper into the controversial Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) that many of the citizens and critiques have been waiting for. The DAP merely received a notable mention with, of course, slight defense. SONA 2014 highlights the achievements of the government on education, social services, economy, improvement, infrastructure, calamity efforts, jobs, rehabilitation after typhoons and earthquake, modernization of AFP, security, ARMM Bangsamoro and livelihood. It is common that every SONA, the President always make promises. Here are the some of the action items of the Aquino government for the next months or year: Laguna Lakeshore Expressway Dike bidding by end of 2014, Open alternative roads to EDSA, Opening of the Palawan Busuanga Airport, Push Bangsamoro Basic Law, Ensure enough supply of power to meet the growing energy demand, 2.606 trillion for 2015 National Budget. 

              PNoy also failed to include the passage of the Freedom of Information (FOI) bill in his SONA. The measure aims to eliminate corruption in the bureaucracy by giving the public greater access to government transactions and records.