What can anyone accomplish within a hundred days?

The tradition of highlighting the “First 100 Days” of a president in office began during Franklin D. Roosevelt’s time. His idea of reassuring the American people during a time of the Great Depression (circa 1933) on his first 100 days in office was part of his strategy and it worked! He wanted to show his nation that he can make a difference – bringing relief, recovery and reform thru his New Deal package (a series of economic programs) passed by the US Congress during his first term in office.

Roosevelt had a plan. He targeted a 100 days to prove it. He wanted to give the Americans renewed vigor – that within a 100 days, his policies will take off and bring America out of the depression.

I wonder why we have to follow this American tradition? By the way, I find it also ironic that the very government that removed the American bases in the Philippines, was the one who started the “First 100 Days” tradition in this country.

It is foolish to demand a “report card” of a President’s so-called “First 100 Days.” After President Cory’s first 100 days, she proudly announced that she did well, but her performance was insignificant, her Cabinet from its malicious mix was a self-destructing time bomb, and the remainder of her rudderless six-year term even more dismal.

President Fidel V. Ramos on the other hand did not offer any score on how well or how badly he did. Neither his Cabinet members, nor his toadies have ventured to give themselves “grades” on how they performed.

President Erap learned along the way, maybe not fast enough, but he did learn. He was faced with the problem of coping with monstrous challenges. He fell down in some matters, but he also showed his guts in others.

P-Noy, in keeping with the tradition, delivered his “Report Kay Boss” in a town hall style meeting with various representatives of civil society and the general public held at the La Consolacion College auditorium in Manila last Thursday, October 7.

The country “is ready for takeoff”, P-Noy said. It was the confident voice of a leader amidst all the glitches that marked his First 100 Days in office. The President tackled the different questions raised about his agenda for change not to mention his leadership badly tainted with the tragic hostage incident in August.

Allow me to take a closer look at some points mentioned in the report. P-Noy said that jobs are the principal agenda of his administration adding that he has attracted $2.4 billion in fresh foreign investments and created 43,600 new jobs. We all know that until we see actual investors coming, this data is just a commitment. P-Noy must straighten out first the systems of employment in this country. He needs to strengthen the labor law so that hardworking people get what they deserve. Not to mention the problem on human trafficking and the existence of illegal recruiters who continue to profit from the misery of our OFWs. In other words, what good are these investments if the basic structures, controls, checks and balances are not in place?

The increase in the Department of Education’s budget from P175 billion to P207.3 billion to be spent on building more classrooms and opening more teaching positions is laudable but what about the fate of the public school curriculum? You may have all the goodies in the bag but what is lacking are good teachers who can teach effectively. Sad to say, the teachers nowadays need intensive re-training.

The budget of the Department of Health rose to P33.3 billion from P29.3 billion to strengthen the National Health Insurance Program. What does this specifically cover? What about improving government hospitals – upgrading the environment, equipment, and staff efficiency, what about responsible parenthood and the much-talked about Reproductive Health Program? Was it deliberately removed from P-Noy’s script? Why can’t the President confront the issue head on?

The DSWD budget was also more than doubled from P15.4 billion to P34.3 billion. What specific programs will benefit from this? Have we seen a decrease in the number of street children and beggars these days? Has the agency done something with the “rugby boys and girls” under the footbridges of Cubao and Quezon Avenue? What about the juvenile delinquents and those young girls in the flesh trade along the main thoroughfares of the cities? What about the squatter problem in the metropolis? Aren’t these basic issues that needs to be addressed?

All these figures can be confusing. We want to hear the government’s initiatives in improving our basic needs and services first before other matters – something closer to our hearts that affect our daily lives. Like the supply of food we have, the garbage collected, our water and electricity supply, the fate of the education of the children, the future of the squatters in the cities, the issues concerning our daily commute, security and safety, the more efficient systems to be imposed on the local governments in issuing our permits and collecting our taxes.

But before I get carried away with all of the above, I still think that P-Noy deserves a pat on the shoulders for his consistent efforts in trying to resolve corruption like in the issuance of Executive Order 7 suspending the excessive bonuses and allowances of officials of government-owned and controlled corporations particularly the MWSS. His determination to resolve the NAIA Terminal 3 contract and the prevention of the loss of $990 million was commendable. His efforts to revoke the negotiated contracts of the DPWH with private groups that prevented the waste of P934.1 million and revealing the questionable dredging procedure approved by the past administration for a part of Laguna de Bay which would have caused P18.5 billion was a sign of his relentless drive to put an end to corrupt practices. Bravo! And keep on going Mr. President.

But, what can anyone really accomplish within a hundred days? Well, maybe tying loose ends here and there and acting on immediate policies to establish the new government will do for such a period of time. Unlike Roosevelt who conceptualized the original “First 100 Days” and used it as a stop-gap measure to reassure his countrymen, our Presidents are placed in an awkward position in trying to prove themselves right away. Let’s stop being copycats and make our own traditions, the “Pinoy” way.

Let’s give P-Noy more time but limit it to a year at least. Maybe in his next report, he will be able to outline better his achievements and be more specific in discussing the issues affecting us all and the future generation.

Anyway, I’m glad the first 100 Days nonsense is over and done with. It’s time to face up to the demands of the present and the daunting tasks that lie ahead. P-Noy should now get down, without distractions to serious business.