Bikolanos Buoyed by P-Noy's SONA

LEGAZPI CITY, July 26 --Residents of this city glued to televisions as President Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" C. Aquino III delivered his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday.

As P-Noy's delivers his first SONA, market vendor Janeth Llaguno claps her hands as she watches the president on tv..

Janeth Llaguno said that the president's SONA was a big challenge not just for the president alone but also for every Pilipino.

"As a market vendor I will help P-Noy by giving receipts for the buyers and paying the right amount of tax," she said.

A second year law student from Bicol College of Law, on the other hand, reacted by saying that the SONA was an inspiring statement that would awaken the need for the enactment of some laws not just by papers but by actions.

A business proprietor Jennifer Verano said that one thing she expects and hope in P-Noy's SONA is that everything will be materialized.

It is right to reveal to the public the present condition of our national budget as well as the economy of the Philippines, she said.

But P-Noy's administration should not focus on problems left by PGMA administration, instead, he and his economic managers must move forward to resolve all existing problems, some provincial government employees of Albay said.

The salary of rank and file in government should also be given priority by the administration not only those in private sector, they said.

The national government needs to intervene in the health and nutrition program. "Fund of local government on health and nutrition is very limited, thus, there is a need for the national government to set aside budget to help the needs of the local government." Ryan Altavano, a job order employee of the provincial government of Albay said.

Bishop Joel Baylon of Diocese of Legazpi said "The SONA is a positive view on my part, I just hope and pray that what he promised in terms of transparency, removal of red tape, job opportunities, pursuit of corrupt officials will translate into concrete action and realistic programs." (PNA)