Administration on target in governance, rule of law

The Aquino administration is on track to achieving its development targets in good government and the rule of law, but is lagging in most indicators in infrastructure as well as agriculture and fisheries, according to a government report.

The National Statistical and Coordination Board (NSCB) recently released its Statistical Indicators on Philippine Development report for 2011, showing the pace of the government in achieving economic and social development goals identified in the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) for 2011-2016.

In macroeconomic indicators, the government showed “poor” performances in gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate, nominal and real exports, but posted “good” performances in job creation, unemployment rate, fiscal deficit-to-GDP ratio and inflation rate.

“Good” means the target is likely to be attained. “Average” means the target may or may not be attained. “Poor” means the target is not likely to be attained.

Political rights

“Good” performances were reported in political rights, civil liberties, control of corruption, government effectiveness, rule of law and voice and accountability.

In accelerating infrastructure development, 24 indicators were tagged as “poor,” five were “average” and 14 were “good.”

The “poor” indicators include the number of cargo throughout Subic Bay Port, number of cargo throughout ports under the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), number of water transport passengers, number of water vessels, passenger seating capacity in port terminal buildings under the PPA, percentage of major gateways receiving foreign vessels, road density, travel time in Metro Manila, travel speed in Metro Manila, air-conditioned buses, number of vehicular accidents in Metro Manila, annual ridership in rail transport, ratio of revenue to operation and maintenance cost in rail transport.