Unfinished projects

With less than six months to go, the Aquino administration has a long list of unfinished problems and projects. Among them:

1. illegal drug problem;

2. New People’s Army insurgency;

3. the Light Rail Transit 1 extension to Bacoor, Cavite;

4. the Abu Sayyaf problem in Basilan and Sulu;

5. the South Luzon Expressway /North Luzon Expressway connector;

6. the distribution of coco levy funds;

7. the charging of Moro Islamic Liberation Front and Bangsamoro Islamic Liberation Front rebels involved in the Mamasapano massacre;

8. the power problem in Mindanao;

9. National Housing Authority only finishing less than 10% of 200,000 housing units for Yolanda victims;

10. President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III still single;

11. Blumentritt Interceptor and other flood control projects still ongoing;

12. a third runway for Ninoy Aquino International Airport;

13. the dredging of Laguna de Bay;

14. improvement of Metro Rail Transit-3 service;

15. backlog in driver’s licenses and motor vehicle plates;

16. and the Metro Manila traffic problem.

President Aquino criticized the previous administration for leaving many unresolved issues and problems. He blames much of his problems on his predecessor. Aquino’s infrastructure program met the same fate as that of his predecessor.

Now that Aquino’s term is about to end, he will also leave so much unfinished business that it sometimes crossed his mind to stay beyond his term if the Constitution allows it. Clearly, an indication that Aquino is not very confident about his chosen successor, Mar Roxas, nowhere near the top of pre-election polls, that will do a good job as the next president.

More firecracker injuries

The Department of Health (DOH) reported that firecracker injuries reached 760, just 9% lower than the number of injuries recorded during the same period last year.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) reported 51 stray bullet-related incidents, with 41 injured victims.

Four hundred sixty-four people suffered hand injuries, 113 eye injuries, 656 blast injuries with 25 requiring amputati on.

Metro Manila accounted for 427 of  firecracker injuries.

Traffic mess to worsen

Traffic along thoroughfares of Metro Manila is getting worse every single day. It is an everyday burden to commuters and motorists who endure the worsening traffic jams in Metro Manila.

John Forbes, senior adviser of the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, said that if roads and other infrastructures are not upgraded immediately, the traffic mess in Metro Manila is likely to worsen and will be unlivable for four years.

Metro Manila infrastructure can’t seem to keep up with the booming automotive industry in the Philippines.

“Metro Manila is at the risk of becoming uninhabitable as annual car growth increases to 500,000 by 2020,” Forbes said.

Vehicle sales reached 269,000 in 2014 and is expected to reach 310,000 in 2015 on the way to 500,000 by 2020.

Some people say, including Aquino and Roxas, the surge in new-car/motorcycle sales figure is a sign of the country’s improving economy. Unfortunately, there are lack of roads being constructed to accommodate the swelling volume of vehicles.

An industry executive predicts car sales will continue to grow in next seven years.

We hope President Aquino’s successor will be up to the task of managing the traffic situation. Good luck.

However, Malacañang, in reaction to Forbes’ prediction, said they will remain committed to solve the traffic congestion in Metro Manila based on Japan International Cooperation Agency’s (JICA) 2.3 trillion infrastructure roadmap recommendation that will decongest National Capital Region (NCR), address the growing population and demand for better transport.

Philippine population to reach 104 million

The Philippine population is expected to reach 104 million this year, according to the Commission on Population.

Parañaque City Rep. Gus Tambunting, however, said the bigger population presents many economic opportunities to help the country go ahead of other economies as it provides us with a strong labor force.

“Our young and booming population is actually an edge we have over other countries as it provides us with a strong labor force,” Tambunting added.

China, Japan and Singapore are now confronted with economic and social problems because of previous policies to control their population.

China has dropped its one-child policy and is now allowing two children per family.

The government should invest in human capital and development by improving our education and health services system, otherwise the country’s high population will become a burden, Tambunting warned.

Meanwhile, as the population is expected to increase, the Department of Health (DOH) would require an additional budget for immunization and family planning programs amid the constraints the department is experiencing, according to Health Secretary Janette Garin.

P-Noy drives to Baguio

President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino drove a red Nissan GT-R or grand touring racing coupe to Baguio on Dec. 31 and drove it back to Manila on Jan. 3, 2016.

Last Friday, he hosted a dinner for top Defense officials led by Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin at the presidential mansion. The President had dinner at the Baguio Country Club on Saturday night.

The President is known to have fondness for driving fast cars.