President Benigno Aquino III
MANILA, Philippines — No more shortage in rice, no more lack of classroom, and land for the farmers of Hacienda Luisita.
President Benigno Aquino III enumerated these achievements of his administration during his fourth State of the Nation Address Monday.
He said that the Philippines was well on its way to achieving rice self-sufficiency. As proof, he said that the country was already exporting some varieties of rice.
The income of farmers and fishermen was also being increased because of the implementation of several government programs such as intercropping in coconut plantations and cold storage facilities for fish.
Aquino also praised Education Secretary Armin Luistro for his programs in addressing the backlogs in classrooms which he said were already about to be filled up.
The president said that the Department of Agrarian Reform had already completed the list of Hacienda Luisita beneficiaries in February and had started distributing land titles.
He also highlighted the expansion of the Conditional Cash Transfer program that will help many poor Filipinos rise from poverty.
Greater security will also soon be provided by the Philippine National Police once civilian personnel are hired to free policemen of administrative desk jobs.