Aquino vows to continue reform measures to improve the lives of poor Filipinos
President Benigno S. Aquino III vowed to continue all reform measures he implemented despite the effort of his critics and rivals to preempt his agenda to change the nation from culture of corruption.
“Nananatili pa rin po ang ating panata sa taumbayan: Kung walang corrupt, walang mahirap,” the President said in his speech Friday afternoon during the launching of the coffee table book “The Inaugural: The Inside Story of the Aquino Presidency” at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Malate, Manila.
Speaking in front of 10,000 volunteers, the President said that he remains firm in his objective to improve the lives of the poorest of the poor thru the passage of the 2011 Reform Budget that has already been approved by the House of the Representatives.
In the 2011 budget, he said, some P560.8 billion or 34.1% of the total budget has been allocated for the implementation of social services and a separate P271.67 billion for the education modernization program.
“We shall make sure that these funds do not go to waste, as it will be spent for projects that are necessary and will benefit the many,” the President assured his supporters.
During the program, the Chief Executive acknowledged the efforts of the group through the spirit of volunteerism they initiated during the presidential campaign.
He personally handed over signed copies of his coffee table book “The Inaugural” to 14 sponsors.
Stage director and producer, Maria Montelibano, the publisher of “The Inaugural: The Inside Story of the Aquino Presidency,” said the book tackled the young Aquino’s difficult journey to the presidency.
She informed the President that the coffee table book “chronicles the inspiring victory of one person – not merely from one election – but from a political journey culminating with the last election.”
Montelibano, is a former chief of the Presidential Broadcast Staff during President Corazon Aquino and communications chief during Noynoy’s presidential campaign.
The 181-page hardbound coffee table book has over 100 photos captured by the country’s top lensmen including Teodoro “Ted” Aljibe, chief photographer of the Agence FrancePresse (AFP); Erik De Castro of Reuters; Alberto “Bullit” Marquez, a veteran photojournalist; Dennis M. Sabangan of the European Press/photo Agency (EPA); and Jay N. Morales, chief of the Presidential Photographers Division and close-in photographer of Aquino since he was a senator.
Several journalists, campaign volunteers and friends also contributed in the publication of the book that include Communications Secretary Sonny Coloma, Assistant Secretary for Media Relations Rey Marfil, Nina Terol Zialcita, Undersecretary George Syliangco, Undersecretary Christopher Tio, Ofelia Samar-Sy, Alexander BAngsoy, Anton H. Lim, Lynette Baldivino, Cesar Sarino, Jim Paredes, Mae Paner, columnist Conrado De Quiros, Pastor “Boy” Saycon, Gawad Kalinga founder Tony Meloto, broadcast journalist Jing Magsaysay, Lawyer Alex Lacson, Jan Co Chua, Ward Luarca, Mercedes “Peachy” Roces, Wilfrido Villacorta, William Esposo, among others. (PCOO)
