Corazon Aquino

“ I am truly encouraged by what our people have proved themselves capable of. They have worked hard with us to give substance to the meaning of participatory democracy, not just in the political arena, but in the realm of our nation’s social and economic life as well.
As President, I have deemed it fitting to enshrine in. a people’s movement the transformation of democracy from concept to reality by our countrymen. ”

“ Should we become a nation divided after this decision, then there shall be no sovereignty to speak of. To follow our national will, whatever option we might take, we must first agree to rid ourselves of unhealthy division. Only then can we stand up to any foreign nation and say, “This is our people’s decision; we shall pursue it by every means.” ”

“ At stake here, too, is the very application of the principles of our democracy: where our people make the choice; where the final judgment on the morality of their choices is left to the freedom of their conscience. ”

“ The systematic approach we have adopted over the past four years has been beneficial to our people, to our constituents. This approach has favored our economic growth; price stability; and our renewed access to the international financial market.
Our economy today is one of the best performing among nations with substantial foreign debt. And this has been possible only because our creditors believe that they can count on our word and commitment. ”

“ And from where I stand, I see that our nation is ready to take that giant step forward. Many of the needed reforms are in place. Our democracy is tried and tested. Our people are firm in their commitments. ”

“ We are supporting our drive for greater productivity with a stream­lined but responsive infrastructure program that placed special emphasis on our countryside. Of the total 6,297 kilometers of roads we constructed last year, 95 percent were built in the provinces. We have also placed emphasis on infrastructures that would support livelihood in our rural areas. Much of the productivity of our countryside rests on our speedy implementation of our Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program. The selflessness of a mature people could provide this program with the much­ needed boost. ”

“ Our maturity is anchored, too, on the commitment of our soldiers to our Constitutional democracy. While there are still a few within the AFP who continue to hang the sword of Damocles over our people, I am proud to say that, on the whole, the AFP continues to be the protector of our democratic gains. Even as they perform their mandate of keeping peace and order in our land, they are also our partners in our development goals. ”

“ The productivity of our industrial sector was increased because of the peace that now characterizes much of labor-management relationship. Our renascent democracy has helped our workers appreciate more deeply the value of the peaceful resolution of conflicts. The number of strikes and lock-outs have significantly decreased. In the process, one billion pesos in workers’ salaries and benefits, and about 5.7 billion pesos in production costs were saved. ”

“ These energy programs must be complemented by our efforts in the areas of telecommunications and transportation. The archipelagic nature of our geography calls for a safer, modern and more efficient system of inter-island water transportation.
We must remember that the highest priority in our quest for greater productivity are our disadvantaged countrymen. If we produce more, those who have less shall have more to partake of. This is the rationale for the many reforms we have implemented to tilt the balance in favor of the less privileged; to tilt the balance in favor of the countryside. ”

“ Our efforts at increased production must be complemented by our reinvigorated drive for conservation. I believe an important expression of our maturity is our exercise of good stewardship over our resources.
I am pleased to report that we marked a milestone last year in our reforestation program. In 1989, we reversed the deforestation trend: we have now planted more areas with trees than the areas wasted by the irresponsible exploitation of our forest resources. ”

“ Our maturity is anchored on our ability to earn and maintain a place of honor and respect in the community of nations.
We acknowledge the support of our friends in our economic deve­lopment thrusts. Last year, we obtained pledges and grants totalling 3 billion 500 million dollars, 98 percent of which have already been programmed or utilized for specific projects.
This place of honor also rests on our credibility before our interna­tional creditors. Today, we still suffer from the burdensome legacy of the past. Our foreign debt continues to stare us in the face ”

“ We also need to enhance the productivity by more responsive programs on energy. We recognize the setbacks resulting from the power shortage we all experienced this year. While we have already instituted the remedies necessary to bring our power supply back to normal, we are determined to put in place the needed long-term power infrastructure that will assure our people a permanently stable supply of electricity. ”

“ For two years now, we have provided our youth with a vehicle for participation in public and civic affairs through the President’s Summer Youth Program. Over 71,000 young people took hands-on jobs in the countryside, in private sector offices and in our government agencies. ”

“ Third, the avenues for partnership among people and government that we have established;
And fourth, our abiding faith in God who has always cared for us. May I invite you to examine our gains.
Last year, our nation bustled with productive energy.
The 5.7 percent growth in our economy was well within target.
A total of 17 billion 480 million pesos in foreign investments poured into our country, 75 percent more than the previous year, evidence of the continuing confidence of the international community in our economic recovery. ”

“ We, in the elected leadership, must lead the way. We must demon­strate the willingness to pay the price, to accept the sacrifice that accom­panies these decisions. Above all, we must show the supreme example of unity – unity born out of our shared aspirations for the common good. ”

“ Earthquakes can destroy the strongest man-made structures; but, they can never shatter the faith of the Filipino.
To this day, rescue and relief work goes on. But slowly and surely, our countrymen are gearing up for the next important task – that of reha­bilitation.
Our people are determined to go back to their normal lives within the next few days. Our farmers want to return to their fields. Our labor force want to return to their workplaces. Our businessmen want to resume the conduct of trade and commerce.
Today they are no longer asking us for gestures of pity. ”

“ This was evident last year as we increased our tax collection by 35.4 percent: from 90 billion 400 million pesos in 1988 to 122 billion 400 million pesos last year.
The more important expressions of our maturity, however, are the policy decisions we shall make as we adopt innovations in our revenue generation scheme: as we shift the tax burden from our poorer countrymen to the more affluent sectors of our society; as we enhance the equity and progressive character of our income tax measures; as we promote local autonomy through stronger local financing ”

“ For a few days, these misguided elements waged war against our people, employing a terrifying fear strategy that unmasked all their pretensions to ideological inclinations. Before our people, they attempted to display brute force, hoping to create an aura of armed victory. ”

“ We must now face this responsibility squarely and address it as a crucial health issue – a health issue where the well-being of our children, mothers, families- in fact, of our whole society, is at stake. ”

“ The annual per capita income of our workers rose by 3.3 percent as we moved to ensure that no government worker would receive a salary lower than two thousand pesos; and to increase the minimum wage in the private sector by twenty five pesos per day .
Some 91,349 more Filipino families were able to build homes last year, the fruit of a vigorous housing program with an unprecedented record. ”

“ Many have benefitted from the example of our previous struggles.
Many more stand to profit from what we shall make out of our democracy and freedom. We have proven many things during the past four years. ”

“ There is thus a need for greater involvement among our youth, especially in activities where they are given the opportunities to appreciate the value of hard work, love for country, and a mature sense of responsibility. ”

“ We shall also undertake even more decisive steps towards lowering inflation and bringing down our fiscal deficits. In connection with this, we are intensifying our revenue generation efforts; we are accelerating the sale of government assets even as we take all the necessary measures to minimize public spending. ”

“ We expect, however, that despite the massive resources and support we are giving our rice farmers, we will still experience a heavy toll on our harvest due to the prolonged dry season that we just experienced. ”