SONA 2015: Short Analysis

Last July 27, 2015, President Benigno Aquino III presented his last State of the Nation Address (SONA) to us, Filipinos. In his last SONA, he talked about the Bangsamoro Basic Law, employment growth, the decline of crime in the Philippines, and a lot of other things. But most importantly, he mentioned the inclusive growth of our country, which is probably the salient point of his entire SONA.

Debunking of said Inclusive Growth in the Philippines:

1. The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, though remarkable, is just a temporary solution to poverty.

2. The number of unemployed and the number in poverty are about the same as it was five years ago.

3. Filipinos have not been brought out of poverty.

4. The quality of life in the Philippines, for most Filipinos, has not improved.

5. The Aquino administration was and is slow in building infrastructures to cope with the growing population and economy. 

6. The 6.3% average growth Gross National Product or GDP in 5 years was primarily based on the growth in the service sector.

Proof of said Inclusive Growth in the Philippines:

1. GDP and GNP ratings state that our country’s economy has grown immensely in the Aquino Administration.

2. Over 100 million Filipinos are benefitting from the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program.

3. The Philippines, under Aquino’s administration, earned investor grade credit ratings.

4. The employment rate in January 2015 was estimated at 93.4 percent.