Talk, talk, talk

Action speaks louder than words.”

Remember FOI (Freedom of Information?) Many were led to believe that the FOI bill would become a law as promised by former President Noynoy Aquino. He assured the people that it will be passed during his term but up to the last minute, FOI law was nowhere in sight. One might ask how they failed to pass it into law when they present themselves as transparent and against corruption? Last year, President Duterte signed his second Executive Order which implements freedom of information in the executive branch. This, for me, is the difference between a man who is all talk and a man of action.

Like President Duterte and following his leadership, he also has Cabinet Secretaries who are also men and women of action with similar goal: Build a safe and better future for the Filipino people. We have Secretary Gina Lopez at DENR who is fighting for a safer environment that will be passed on to the next generations. We have Secretary Judy Taguiwalo at DSWD, Secretary Rafael Mariano at DAR, and Secretary Manny Piñol who are all fighting for the needs of the Filipinos. Several government agencies are also working together for the ‘Build, Build, Build!’ infrastructure program to put into action this promise of a better tomorrow. The National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), Department of Transportation (DOTr), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA); with the support of Department of Finance (DOF) and Department of Budget and Management (DBM) have worked together for the ‘Build, Build, Build!’ strategy. The government also created a website, www.build.gov.ph, where people can check the projects that are included in the infrastructure program. Some of these projects are:

1) NLEX-SLEX connector road which aims to reduce travel time. This will reduce travel time from Alabang to Balintawak to just 30 minutes.

2) Runway Manila which connects NAIA terminal 3 to Newport City which started last December 2016 and was completed in just months months.

3) PNR North Railway (Manila-Clark) which reduces travel time from Manila to Clark to just one hour.

4) Mindanao Railway which will lessen the travel time within Mindanao and can greatly help in transporting agricultural goods.

5) Mega Manila Subway which will connect Mindanao Avenue in Quezon City to NAIA and FTI in Taguig.

6) Clark International Airport (New Terminal) which aims to reduce congestion in NAIA and traffic in nearby locations.

7) Clark Green City which aims to reduce congestion in Manila that, in turn, will reduce traffic problems.

These infrastructure projects are expected to benefit all Filipinos since it will create more jobs that will help Filipinos who are unemployed in uplifting the lives of their families. These projects will also boost economic growth which will surely open new opportunities for our country. Simply put, through these projects, the government is trying to solve other problems as well like unemployment, tourism, congestion and traffic problem in Manila, and slow flow of goods which affects other sectors like agriculture.

Now that we know that plan, all we need is to see the government in action but, for me, there is no need to worry on this because as they have proven in their past 10 months in office, our current administration is filled with people who are less talk, more action. We now have a government whose priority are the people; a President who will work hard to achieve what is best for Filipinos who considers him not just as head of state but as a loving father who will do everything to keep his children safe from harm. President Duterte, who many Filipinos call ‘Tatay Digong’ is the leader we have all been waiting for. He is strict when it comes to dealing with criminals, he is diligent to the point that he also works on holidays if it will be for the best interest of our country. The way I see it, his ‘Build, Build, Build’ strategy does not only apply to infrastructure projects; he’s trying to build a safer country for us by combatting criminals and illegal drugs, he’s building a government that cares for the people especially the poor, and he’s building better relationship with neighboring countries which can greatly benefit us now and in the future.

In the end, I hope that a lot of politicians will be like him who focuses on action than just talking. The better Philippines we deserve can surely be achieved if we work together in building it. Build, build, build will always be better than talk, talk, talk.

(Sources: www.build.gov.ph, http://www.philstar.com/business/2017/04/24/1693198/build-build-build)