Fidel V. Ramos

“ Today we can truly claim we have given our country that fresh start. We have arrested the decline -- of the economy and the national spirit -- which had so demoralized our people. We are concluding a just and honorable peace with the military rebels, the insurgents and the Southern secessionists. A new spirit of cooperation existing between Congress and the Presidency has avoided the gridlock which obstructed policy-making in previous administrations. ”

“ I will soon submit to you, Ladies and Gentlemen of Congress, our proposed budget for 1994 -- detailing how we intend to finance our development plan. Our spending plan clearly states our priorities on how to do more with less. We will put the highest priority in those activities that pay the most dividends in productivity and growth. And we must resist the usual temptation to spend merely on what is popular just to win votes. ”

“ In closing, let me declare that I do believe we have started creating the conditions for self-sustaining growth. We can end once and for all, by our cooperative efforts, the cycles of boom and bust which have characterized our economic performance. but this much we must realize: reform will not come easy. Some reforms may bring difficult adjustments and even hardships before they do any good. The most we can do is to ensure that reforms hurt least our most vulnerable social groups. The ultimate truth is that we cannot afford to fail -- in our venture of reform and development. ”

“ The economy will soon have the power needed for growth. The power crisis is on its way to resolution because of the united actions of Congress and the Executive branch. This is where our strength lies, in unity of purpose and harmony of actions. But these alone will not be sufficient for the economy to be strong and resilient for global competition. We therefore also have introduced reforms to restructure the system in favor of efficiency away from protecting the inefficient. ”

“ In contrast, we are working to reconcile our democratic politics with an oligarchic economy left over from the colonial period -- not by changing the political system, but by democratizing the economy. The time for authoritarianism has passed -- in our country and in the world. Instead of the discipline of command, we must invoke the self-discipline of civic responsibility. We Filipinos have always accepted that people with more are obliged to help people with less -- in the name of a common, compassionate humanity. This traditional moral code we shall make a principle of public policy. ”

“ Ladies and Gentlemen of Congress:
I invite you to join me in taking advantage of this opportunity and to seize the decisive moment together.
This is the challenge to leadership. Everywhere the old politics is in disfavor -- because it has failed to respond to the transformations taking place in the world. We must learn new ways of looking at the world. We need new answers to our problems. In this spirit, we offer a strategic framework for Philippine development. Modernization in our time requires the guidance and direction of a stable and resolute government. ”

“ The central thrust of all our programs is the alleviation of poverty. We must fight poverty in ways that will not merely wait for the economy to develop. we must make sure that growth is broad-based and socially equitable -- that growth leaves no social group behind. particularly vulnerable are our marginalized sectors -- subsistence farmers and agricultural workers, marginal fishermen, cultural communities, the elderly, the disabled, the street children, the urban underclass of unskilled workers, squatters, and their families. The economy's return to growth shall by itself help ease poverty. ”

“ The economy must be open to all who bring in new capital, new knowledge, new ideas and new levels of efficiency. We must broaden the base of economic participation. Let us, therefore, make this 9th Congress the instrument to free and democratize our economy. ”

“ We therefore urge Congress to enact the Geothermal Bill to encourage more exploration. Our development program in power is indeed designed to provide comprehensively for our industrial future.
In the past, many nations -- ours included -- tried to attain wealth by withdrawing from their ecological capital. We are all now paying dearly to restore what we took out of our forests in the past. So while we still can, we must seek growth that does not exploit our country's natural wealth. ”

“ We look at the housing problem not only as an opportunity to propel economic activity but more as a challenge to alleviate the sad plight of our people in our slum dwellings. The challenge is to ensure continued investments in low-cost housing through stable financing and by devising new and imaginative arrangements that will maximize the private sector's role. I will certify to Congress a bill that makes contributions to PAG-IBIG mandatory beyond a certain salary ceiling and taps other sources for socialized housing. ”

“ Unemployment and under-employment have been reduced only minimally. What must we do so reforms will result in a robust and expanded economy? First and foremost, we must not relent in our campaign to level the field of business competition: Global competitiveness must begin at home. Government will not retreat in its campaign against injurious monopolies and tax evaders. And so, I ask for the urgent passage of Anti-Trust and Anti-Racketeering Legislation.
Let us recognize that an economy controlled by rent-seekers cannot produce free competition and efficiency. ”

“ It strains both our natural environment and our resources for providing jobs, education, housing, health, and other social services. Government has committed itself squarely to a family-planning program based on choice -- and with the goal of bringing down the growth rate to under 2 percent by 1998. For this, education and advocacy are our principal tools. And we look to partnership with the private sector and non-government organizations in reaching out to our people. We must achieve an appropriate growth and distribution of our population consistent with sustainable development. ”

“ This is why we are seeking a comprehensive and lasting peace. As proposed by the National Unification Commission, we will pursue the "paths to peace" by undertaking social, economic and political reforms that address the root causes of armed conflict; by encouraging people to participate in the peace process; by working for a negotiated settlement with the armed groups; and by establishing programs for the reintegration of rebel groups into the mainstream of society through a general amnesty program. At the same time, let us effect the modernization of our Armed Forces. ”

“ We are, therefore, partial to policies and programs that encourage community-organizing to attain self-reliance for the poor communities. And we will match their self-organizing initiatives with more social expenditures, food and education subsidies, rural credit and livelihood programs. All of these we should do. We cannot leave our poor to wait for the benefits from economic growth to trickle down to where they are. ”

“ Ensuring full and unimpeded access by all to both primary and secondary schools is the most effective way of empowering ordinary people. Education reform must also develop a curriculum strong in Science, Mathematics, and languages. It must include the enhancement of the conditions of teachers -- in both their livelihood and their work. Vocational education and technical training should keep to their basic purpose -- which is to prepare young people for worthwhile jobs, and to teach new technologies that our economy needs. ”

“ To do that, we must understand how far rebels are motivated by people's frustrations over their inability to break through the barriers and patterns of oligarchic power that control their lives. Only then can we redress -- once and for all -- the imbalance in national society between the few who are rich and the many who are poor. ”

“ Our network of roads, bridges, air and sea ports is grossly overloaded and poorly maintained. Since the funding for our infrastructure development needs is immense, I propose the amendment of the Build, Operate and Transfer law to encourage greater participation from private capital. Such participation must now be motivated by risk reward for efficiency and without the guarantee of government. In energy, the dark time is almost over. ”

“ Of all government public services, we have reason to be proud of our National Health Care program. For several years now, health care stood high in our people's esteem because service delivery is sustained and dedicated. We have moved to improve these services further. In particular, government has implemented new policies and programs to increase life expectancy by extensive immunization, improved nutrition and environmental sanitation. ”

“ This way, we can steadily constrict the space where crime can operate. The challenge is clear: crime can only come under full control when criminals -- in or out of government -- know we're going to catch them, convict them, and jail them. ”

“ My vision of a tax system is a broad-based one with just a few exemptions and at rates that yield no premium to tax evasion, where all enterprises and citizens carry their equitable share.
Congress has acted quickly -- and decisively -- on the framework for investments. We now have a real opportunity to secure a fair share of the investments flowing into the ASEAN region. What is important is that we continue to improve our country's attractiveness for investments -- by emphasizing our comparative advantage. ”

“ Peace and order are the other face of national stability. If we are to release the full energies of the nation, people who live, work and produce must be secure in their persons, in their property and in their homes. ”

“ The visits I have been making to our neighbors are meant to signal the priority we are giving to ASEAN and the larger Asia-Pacific region. With the United States, we are entering a new era based on partnership and cooperation -- while further strengthening our relationships with Europe and the countries of the Middle East. Now more than ever, we must place our diplomacy in the service of our economy and our external security. Our foreign missions have focused on attracting investments, developing export markets, promoting tourism ”

“ In rural electrification, we have energized 94% of all our towns and cities, and 63% of our barangays. But we should strive harder so that more of our countrymen shall have electricity. There are bills in congress which we support to strengthen the NEA to enable it to carry out its mission better. We continue to develop geothermal energy -- a competitively priced, indigenous and environment-friendly option. ”

“ We will continue policies of sound monetary management and containment of public sector deficits to ensure that private sector enterprise will invest, expand production, generate employment and realize fair returns, particularly for exporters. As the power crisis eases, and as we carry out structural reforms, the economy should accelerate. ”

“ The improvement of administration at national level must be matched by a similar advance in local government administration. The expectations are high in our local communities because more resources, powers and responsibilities have been devolved to local governments. ”

“ Manufacturing and other industrial activities can proceed with greater vigor as the power situation improves in terms of competitiveness and productivity. We will champion exports as the key to sustainable economic growth. ”

“ We need to correct the law so that the mismatches in internal revenue allocations and the cost of devolved functions, which have disadvantaged some local government units, will be solved. Effective governance will depend on the harmony of actions between national and local governments as well as among local governments themselves. ”

“ The 1994 budgets should be approved by Congress well before Christmas 1993, well before the lights go on again at that time.
To meet the requirements of the development plan, we must mobilize resources through greater revenue generation rather than excessive borrowings. We have to increase revenues to cover current shortfalls and fund public expenditures. Our tax base has been eroded by proliferation of exemptions, infirmities of tax laws, deficiencies in collections, and widespread evasion. Tax exemptions, while well-meant, are often abused by the underserving. ”

“ Devolved powers have to be exercised judiciously without conflict with national policies. And the use of resources has to be subject to the same discipline of prudence and accountability. The national government will extend assistance in enhancing the management capabilities of local authorities. ”

“ But you and I know agrarian reform is more than just the redistribution of land. We have therefore taken decisive steps also to ensure that the land remains productive for farmers. We increased agricultural support services and livelihood assistance to CARP beneficiaries. We encouraged them to organize cooperatives and to take advantage of economies of scale to enhance their productivity. ”