Cebuano politicians give Sona a thumbs up

Cebuano politicians gave President Aquino’s fourth State of the Nation Address (Sona) a thumbs up with Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III saying it was “inspiring”.

Davide, who flew to Manila to witness the President deliver his speech, said the accomplishments mentioned by Aquino reflected the results of  honest leadership.

“Now, we can see how effective it is if the country is led by an honest president,” he told Cebu Daily News.

“The things that he has accomplished, I find  very inspiring especially, the policemen whom he cited in his speech.  They were examples of true heroism in the line of duty,” he added.

Davide sat with other governors  in the North wing gallery.

Rep. Benhur Salimbangon of Cebu’s 4th district agreed it was “very inspiring in the sense that he cited several examples of good deeds, good governance among others.”

Rep. Joseph Ace Durano of Cebu’s 5th district said Aquino’s “concrete” programs stood out such as  initiatives to improve agriculture, transportation, infrastructure, and the Pantawid Pamilya Program.

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama said the President’s speech was  both a report and a warning.

Rama, who belongs to the opposition United Nationalist Alliance, noted that Aquino emphasized  the private-public sector partnership (PPP) but wasn’t surprised Cebu didn’t figure prominently in the speech because “he does not have projects for Cebu.”

Cebu was not mentioned in particular but the Mactan airport expansion project and the upgrading of the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center were mentioned in passing among the national projects

Morale booster

Rep. Raul del Mar of Cebu City’s north district said Mr. Aquino’s Sona was “an excellent performance report of his accomplishments.”

“It was also a renewed pledge to follow through and complete his work by the end of his term,”he added. Del Mar said that having cited the “exceptional” performance of his cabinet secretaries was a boost to their morale.

Rep. Luis Gabriel Quisumbing of Cebu’s 6th district said he expects an influx of tourists and investors with the President’s emphasis on PPP projects, like the Mactan airport expansion.

Quisumbing said the President’s  report shows that the reforms introduced when he took over in 2010 has taken root.

“The President’s leadership continues to be strong as evidenced by his strong popularity rating after three years (in office),” he said. /Peter L. Romanillos, Doris C. Bongcac, Jhunnex Napallacan and Jucell Marie P. Cuyos