Emmanuel D.

Aranda
Grade V-A
President Benigno Aquino III delivered on Monday afternoon his sixth and last State of the
Nation Address

(SONA 2015)
Here are 46 things he talked about in his last speech before Congress:
1. Stopped the culture of "wangwang" since he assumed his post as president
2. Inauguration of the Cavite-Muntinlupa Expressway; private sector's willingness working with the
government in public-private partnerships
3. Previous administration's 'false achievements' and anomalies
4. Decision to run as president after the death of his mother, former President Corazon Aquino
5.
6.
7.

Resignation of Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez, impeachment of Chief Justice Renato Corona

Appointment of competent public officials to government posts
Increased revenues of government-owned and controlled corporations
8. Improved tax collections by the Bureau of Internal Revenue, poised to collect P1.5 trillion in 2015, with
380 tax evasion cases filed; gave credit to BIR Commissioner Kim Henares

9. Raised the budget reenactments done by the previous administration compared to his
administration's timely annual passage of the General Appropriations Act
10. Country's improvement in global competitiveness, fast growth of the Philippine economy;
investment grade credit ratings
11. Only 15 labor strikes during his administration; gave credit to Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz
12. Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino program beneficiaries now at 4.4 million
13. Number of out-of-school youth went down by 1.7 million
14. Alleged leakage in the Conditional Cash Transfer program was based on 2009 figures, a year
before he assumed office
15. Additional investment in education within the proposed 2016 budget
16. Defense of K to 12; Training for Work Scholarship program; improved lives of graduates from
the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA); gave credit to TESDA
chief Joel Villanueva
17. 89.4 million Filipinos are now covered by philhealth
18. 78 percent of target achieved by the Sitio Electrification Program
19. Lifting of aviation limits die to improved aviation safety; more long-haul flights to and from the
Philippines
20. Meeting certification standards for seamen
21. MRT woes brought about by private contractor; additional trains and rehabilitation program for
escalators underway
22. Modernization program for the Armed Forces of the Philippines - five C-130s, three C-295
medium lift transports, two C-212 light lift transports; landing crafts for rescue and clearing
operations; various aircraft, seacraft, arms and equipment to defend the country's territorial
integrity
23. 1:1 police-to-pistol ratio for the Philippine National Police, along with 2,523 procured patrol
jeeps; 577 utility vehicles; 12,399 handheld radios; 30,136 long firearms, among others
24. Praise for Oplan Lambat Sibat, an anti-criminality drive led by Interior Secretary Mar Roxas.
163,000 suspects caught; 1,000 gangs neutralized; crime rate falling down in Metro Manila;
neutralization of high-profile targets
25. Raising combat pay and subsistence allowance for police personnel
26. Infrastructure projects completed in different areas of the country, including new bridges, roads,
flood control projects even in areas led by non-allies of the administration

27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
37.
38.
39.
40.
41.
42.
43.
44.
45.
46.

Need to retrofit Guadalupe bridge

10 awarded, 13 ongoing and 27 public-private partnerships in the pipeline
Philippines first in Asia, second worldwide in terms of job optimism
Car sales 27 percent up in 2014
European Commission removed the Philippine fishing industry from the blacklist
Call for solons to pass the Bangsamoro Basic Law
Call for the passage of the rationalization of fiscal incentives; unified personnel pension reform
bill; 2016 General Appropriations Act
Push for the passage anti-dynasty law
Thanked the Congress for the passage of key legislation
Recalled the sacrifice of his parents, former Sen. Benigno Aquino and former President
Corazon Aquino
Thanked Cabinet members, government appointees, other officials and staff for their service
Recognition of religious leaders and other citizens who have contributed to the country
Thanked his own family
Thanked Filipinos, saying, "Napakalaking karangalan ang pamunuan po kayong lahat."
Raised the need to continue reforms during his administration
Government's adherence to the rule of law in the West Philippine Sea dispute, despite China's
might
Modernization of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services
Administration
From 2010-2014, the Philippines posted an average of 6.2-percent gross domestic product growth
Warned against the return to "crooked path" in light of the upcoming elections, saying his reforms
can be undone by a single election
Asked for forgiveness amid the shortcomings of the administration.