President Rodrigo Duterte's 2016 State Of the Nation (SONA) Highlights

SONA highlights: Program of government of the Duterte administration
Manila Bulletin

President Rodrigo Duterte enumerated his program of government in his first State of the Nation Address on July 25, 2016.

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s first SONA

• The DENR is directed to review all permits granted to mining logging and other environmentally sensitive activities.
• The military is directed to intensify its support role against anti-illegal logging and anti-illegal mining activities.
• We shall also pursue rail projects in Metro Manila and major key points in the country.
• As for driver’s licenses, its effectiveness will be extended from the current 3-year period to 5 years.
• Processing time in issuing permits and licenses shall be reduced.
• Our anti-colorum campaign and out-of-line apprehension including the removal of terminals will be intensified.
• Announcing a unilateral ceasefire with the CPP/NPA/NDF.
• We shall be implementing structural mitigation measures to address the perennial flooding in Metro Manila and neighboring areas.
• We will accelerate infrastructure spending by improving national roads and bridges and implementing the Mindanao Logistics Infrastructure Network.
• We shall also conduct a nationwide soil analysis to determine areas most suitable for rice farming to optimize production.
• The field of tourism, we shall construct more access roads from tourism gateways to service centers and tourist sites.
• We shall also enhance local business environment by addressing bottlenecks in business registration and processing.
• Implementing Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Law must also be put into full force and effect.
• My administration shall implement a human rights-based approach to development and governance.
• We will increase the number of residential treatment and rehabilitation centers.
• Passport validity will be extended to 10 years.
• We will increase the number of treatment and rehabilitation facilities in all regions of the country.
• Enact the Whistleblower Protection Law while the present Witness Protection Program shall be strengthened.
• A law should be passed to create the People’s Broadcasting Corporation, replacing PTV-4, the government-run, TV station, which now aims to replicate international government broadcasting networks.
• We will put up the First Muslim and Lumad television channels.
• The DENR is directed to review all permits granted to mining, logging and other environmentally sensitive activities.
• The Clark airport can be utilized to shift some operations of our domestic and international airlines.
• Sangley Point will be offered to general aviation.
• Our anti-colorum campaign and out-of-line apprehension including the removal of terminals will be intensified.
• We will create an agency for overseas Filipino workers.
• There will be no demolition of squatter areas without relocation plans.
• Develop a National Broadband Plan to accelerate the deployment of fiber optic cables and wireless technologies to improve internet speed.
• WiFi access shall be provided at no charge in selected public places.
• We shall intensify our war against human traffickers and illegal recruiters that prey on our migrant workers.
• A mandatory financial education for all migrant families and their communities shall be pursued
• I have directed the DSWD to provide rice subsidies to the poorest Filipino families every month
• We will also intensify and expand the Alternative Learning system programs.
• I order all agencies, oversight bodies and local government units down to the barangay level to fully implement the Magna Carta for Women.
• The government will also provide universal health insurance for all Filipinos.
• The government has issued Certificates of Ancestral Domain Titles to Lumad communities.

Read more at http://www.mb.com.ph/sona-highlights-program-of-government-of-the-duterte-administration/#SxyFefus9AaJFl4p.99

Duterte tackles drugs killings but whips laughter in speech

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Known for his disdain for pomp and protocol, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte turned his first state of the nation address Monday into primetime entertainment by injecting jokes and showing his unease with the teleprompter.


He signaled a few days ago that he would stray from the traditional formalities of the Philippine president's most important speech by asking legislators and their spouses to dress in business attire and not the expensive gowns and suits that Manila's media feast on like in a fashion spectacle each year.


He also signed an order to strike out the honorifics "his excellency" to address him and "honorable" to address lawmakers.


When he stepped on the red carpet to enter the House of Representatives, his anti-corruption campaign jingle sang by prominent folk singer Freddie Aguilar lilted in the august hall. Then he was called on stage, his native shirt partly unbuttoned and its sleeve slightly rolled up.


Duterte focused Monday's speech on his deadly war on drugs and his peacemaking efforts with Marxist and Muslim insurgents, but many may remember his antics the most.


He recalled how he appointed his environment secretary, Gina Lopez. The TV network executive and staunch environmentalist had been bombarding him for hours with cases of environmental degradation, until he said he butted in and told her: "Ma'am, it's almost 4 a.m., what if you just become the DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources secretary)?"


Making light of notorious delays in the release of car plates by the government's Land Transportation Office, Duterte said private car dealers may now be tapped to help make the process faster "because up to now, since the time of Christ, their first plate has not come out."




The crowd erupted in laughter but he admonished them in jest: "Listen, don't keep on laughing there."


The former congressman also bristled with pride at one point when he pointed to a seat in the huge gallery: "I used to sit there."


From the presidential pedestal, he resembled the show's director, barking orders in jest to an aide operating the teleprompter: "Raise that paragraph already, that's not important anymore" or "raise that, I will speak in Tagalog already. I think you are already sleeping." Then appearing exasperated at reading the speech through the teleprompter, he uttered: "It's hard to be a president even here."


Even political opponents were overwhelmed. Sen. Leila de Lima, who has criticized Duterte's tough anti-crime methods and has had a widely publicized spat with the macho leader, said the president approached her as he entered the plenary hall.


"He approached me, he extended his hand, smiled didn't say anything," said the visibly enamored del Lima, a former human rights commission chief at odds with Duterte. "I just said, 'Hi sir,' to the delight of the audience."


Duterte explained a recent decision for him not to accept social invitations, explaining his entourage would mess up traffic. Instead of traveling with his long security entourage, he said he had a more practical idea, which he said would scare his security escorts.

"Really, I'd rather take a cab at the back."

Source:http://www.winonadailynews.com/news/world/duterte-tackles-drugs-killings-but-whips-laughter-in-speech/article_0eea93ac-6b81-543b-8d72-ae79ded442b7.html

De Lima surprised Duterte approached her

Published July 25, 2016 7:20pm


Senator Leila de Lima said she was “surprised” when President Rodrigo Duterte approached her as the Chief Executive made his way to the podium of the House plenary to deliver his first State of the Nation Address Monday.

“I was surprised noong nasa harap ko mismo. Nag-detour siya. He approached me, he extended his hand,” De Lima said in an interview after the two-hour State of the Nation (SONA) at the Batasan Complex in Quezon City.

“He didn’t say anything. He just smiled at me. Ako ang nasabi ko lang, ‘hi, sir’,” the senator said.

On his way to the podium, Duterte stopped and shook hands with De Lima, who was seated at the row of tables reserved for senators. The incident drew laughter from the crowd.

Duterte and De Lima, former Justice Secretary and chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights, have repeatedly tangled in the past over the chief executive’s alleged links to the Davao Death Squad. Duterte was former mayor of Davao City. — Kathrina Charmaine Alvarez/RSJ, GMA News- See more at: http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/575018/news/nation/de-lima-surprised-duterte-approached-her#sthash.tv7AGZv5.dpuf