MT SAMAT, Pilar, Bataan- After successfully fighting corruption, Pres. Aquino said yesterday that the Philippines is no longer the “Sick man of Asia.”
Speaking during the 72nd Araw ng Kagitingan in this historic place, Pres. Aquino proudly reported that the country is now on “Bright spot” in the world economy as he urged the Filipino people to be always on the right path.
He said that despite the series of tragedies that the county had faced, the Filipinos were able to face it and survived.
The president also reported that under the Armed Forces Modernization Capability Upgrade Program, the country has allocated P36 billion and has completed 38 projects.
He also gave good news to the war veterans and their families that the government is now going to implement the Pensioners’ Revalidation program to further serve the interest of the real world war veterans.
He said that under this program, the government was able to stop giving benefits to 22,534 accounts while 14,616 other accounts were suspended due to apparent fictitious claims.
With this he said, pension remittances amounting to P396,61 million were returned to the real beneficiaries.
This March alone, the President said, a total of 133,784 legitimate veterans were given benefits by the Philippine Veterans Veteran’s Administration Office (PVAO).
For his part, US Ambassador Philip Goldberg also cited the heroism of the Filipino people during the war, citing that the friendship between the Philippines and America is now stronger.
He assured that America will continue to work shoulder to shoulder with the Filipino people.
Meanwhile Japanese ambassador Toshinao Urabe expressed his apology for what happened during the war, saying use of force is not a solution.
Meanwhile, Gov. Abet S. Garcia also reported that the perennially flooded barangay Almacen in Hermosa town will receive construction assistance from Japan.
Speaking yesterday during the 72nd Araw ng Kagitingan, Gov. Garcia said that he had signed with Japanese Ambassador Urabe an agreement to start the reconstruction of facilities along the low lying barangays in the town of Hermosa.
Garcia added that after enduring the pains of the past, Bataan is now on the road to industrialization.
Also welcoming the visitors were Vice Gov. Efren Pascual Jr., 1st Distruct Rep. Herminia Roman, Mayor Gila Garcia of Dinalupihan town who is also the president of the mayors’ league; Mayors Tonypep Raymundo of Orion, Gene Malibiran of Samal, Ver Roque of Limay, Alice Pizarro of Pilar, and Chairman Deo Custodio of Freeport Area of Bataan, among others.
source: http://www.1bataan.com/news/861-philippines-is-no-longer-sick-man-of-asia-pres-aquino.html