Noy promises sufficient rice, classrooms in 2013

MANILA, Philippines - For President Benigno Aquino III, Filipinos can look forward to 2013 with optimism as his government has not only kept with the "straight path" it has promised but has "only just begun."

Aquino, in his New Year message on Monday, said that his administration has assured that the country will not only produce enough rice for its citizens but will also be able to export it by next year.

"Kung dati, milyun-milyong tonelada ng bigas ang nabubulok sa mga warehouse dahil sa maling pamamalakad, ngayon, dahil sa tamang pamamahala, hindi na lamang rice self-sufficiency, kundi ang pag-eexport ng matataas na klase ng bigas ang habol natin pagdating ng 2013," Aquino said.

He added that compared to the 66,800 shortage in classrooms during former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's term, the current government is set to provide enough classrooms as well as adequate tables, chairs and textbooks for young learners.

Aquino also boasted of the 7.1 growth in the country's gross domestic product as among the highest in Asia and the setting of record highs of the Philippine Stock Exchange the past year, adding that the economic strengthening will continue in 2013.

"Simula lamang po ito. Sa totoo lang po, ang kaisa-isang limitasyon sa tayog ng ating mararating ay ang ating ambisyon. Nasa pagtutulungan at tiwala natin sa isa’t isa ang susi ng tagumpay," Aquino said.

Reiterating the list of accomplishments Malacanang released last Thursday, Aquino said that a major step toward peace in Mindanao had been taken through the Bangsamoro deal--a process which will carry on in the following months.

Aquino, who is approaching the third year of his presidency, also admitted in his speech that 2013 would be a "critical chapter in (the country's) crusade to lasting prosperity and upright governance" also referring to the upcoming mid-term elections.

"Ngayong bagong taon, mas maigting na pagkakaisa ang kailangan. Umaasa akong magiging mapanuri ang taumbayan sa pagkilatis ng mga itatalagang pinuno," he said.

Toward the end of his message, Aquino urged his constituents to work hand-in-hand as the "only limitation" would be each one's ambition.

"Ang aking hiling ngayong ngayong 2013: ituloy lang natin ang bayanihan. Kapit-bisig tayong humakbang tungo sa maliwanag at masaganang kinabukasan ng ating bayan," the president added.

"Kasama po ninyo akong umaasa na ang ating bagong taon ay di hamak na mas maganda sa nakalipas na taon," he concluded.