By Aurea Calica (The Philippine Star)
ROXAS CITY, Capiz, Philippines – President Aquino rallied the people yesterday to support his programs for change, saying his “boxing” match has just begun after a year in office.
“We’re just a year, the boxing is just starting. There are still many things to be done. Please help me so that when I step down in 2016, and I hope I will be retiring, we can look back and say, our mother nation, the Philippines has come a long way,” Aquino said in a speech in Kalibo.
The President was in Kalibo, Aklan where he personally distributed certificates for conditional cash transfer program before coming here to distribute another batch of certificates to thousands of beneficiaries.
He also led the distribution of supplementary feeding program checks, Philippine Health Insurance cards, social pension for indigent senior citizens checks, certificates of land ownership awards and assistance for the agriculture sector.
Aquino said the P1,400 to P1,500 stipend for the qualified families every month could help them keep their children in school, avail of health services and improve their lives in the long run.
“Sulit. Hindi ho ito abuloy, ‘di limos. Ito po ay investment, investment na tulungan ninyo ang kababayan natin, madagdagan yung kakayahan niya, mapaganda ang buhay niya, pare-pareho tayong magsikap (It’s worth it. It’s no dole out. It’s an investment, an investment in helping others, in improving lives through hard work),” he said.
The President lambasted his critics for accusing him of staying in “campaign mode.” He said that his administration has generated more jobs and has improved social services through the judicious use of resources.
