Sona draws mixed reactions from trade leaders

The President’s State of the Nation Address (Sona) drew mixed reactions from the business community, as some of the country’s trade leaders saw it more as a review of the past than a preview of his concrete plans for the future.

Sergio R. Ortiz-Luis Jr., president of the Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. (Philexport), noted that the Sona was well prepared, inspiring and emotional, but President Aquino did not tackle the pressing problems of the business community.

“Certainly, [Mr. Aquino] was able to enumerate the gains made [by the administration over the past years], except that my expectation is different. I had hoped to hear more concrete solutions to the power situation, a clearer direction for the PPP (public-private partnership program) and the port congestion,” Ortiz-Luis said.

“I am not sure if those things should be said in the Sona, but I had hoped he would touch on it. As an exporter, I am hopeful to hear about the more pressing issues. It was more of the past than the future, but still very inspiring to the point that a lot got teary-eyed, especially after seeing [President Aquino’s youngest sister] Kris cry. But it was okay, he was able to cover many [fronts],” he added.

Peter V. Perfecto, executive director of the Makati Business Club (MBC), commented that the President “chose to give his ‘bosses’ a full account of what they have accomplished so far, amid all the noise being created that promises have not been kept.”

Perfecto was referring to Mr. Aquino’s previous remark where he said that the people were his “bosses.”

“We applaud the President’s reaffirmation that the Filipino is worth dying for, living for and fighting for. That gives us all hope that the reforms will continue, that good governance will continue, and that inclusive growth will continue to be pursued. The business sector sent its recommendations for his last two years and we remain optimistic that, though not mentioned in the Sona speech, the government will listen and deliver,” Perfecto said.

For John D. Forbes, senior adviser at the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (Amcham), the state of the nation address was “very much in the President’s style.”

Mr. Aquino described “specific project and program accomplishments, and only a handful of legislative proposals,” Forbes said.

“We expect his reforms to continue until his last month in office. The 3.5 percent of GDP (gross domestic product) level spending on infrastructure is a good move toward the 5-percent target by 2016,” he added.

But Forbes noted that the President was not able to “inform the country” in detail about the power sector.

“He could have listed more bills he intends to prioritize,” Forbes said.

Employers Confederation of the Philippines (Ecop) president Edgardo G. Lacson, meanwhile, said President Aquino was able to deliver “his message very clearly.”

“The central message is his continuing commitment to better the lives of Filipinos as he seeks a higher national budget for 2015. This time, [Mr. Aquino] hinted that he will henceforth observe budgetary procedures as he seeks Congress approval for supplementary budgets,” Lacson said.