The local economy has grown and the lives of Filipinos have improved in the first three years of President Duterte but the government is not about to rest on its laurels, according to a Palace official.
Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said while the numbers are “positive and encouraging” halfway through the President’s term, much work remains to be done to sustain the gains of the administration in the next three years.
“President Rodrigo Duterte is committed to sustain and build on the successes of the past, and to continue the sound reforms and social programs that truly change the quality of life for all Filipinos towards genuine self-empowerment,” he said during the second pre-State-of-the-Nation Address forum in Cebu City.
Nograles also asked to government workers to stay as “partners in change,” saying Duterte could not do it alone. He said the government must continue to allot time and resources on social services and other programs benefiting the people.
“All of you – our co-workers in government, our partners in change – have helped make this possible. Still, while much has been accomplished, much more remains to be done. Di pa po tapos ang trabaho natin, friends, we still have work to do,” he said.
In the first three years of the President, Nograles highlighted the robust economic growth as well as reduction in poverty in the country.
“Our economy has grown at least six percent annually. Poverty in the first half of 2018 was reduced to 21 percent from 27 percent in 2015. Self-rated poverty, according to the SWS (Social Weather Stations), fell from 50 percent in the last quarter of 2018 to 38 percent in the first quarter of this year – an all-time low,” he said.
“The numbers support this unassailable truth: The lives of our people have improved in the first three years under President Duterte,” he added. (Genalyn Kabiling)
