STAR NEWS FEATURE: I CAN'T BE 'POGI' ALL THE TIME - NOY
MANILA, JANUARY 23, 2011 (STAR) By Aurea Calica - President Aquino yesterday conceded that, in the eyes of the public, he is no longer all that "pogi" (handsome).
Aquino made the statement even as he justified his decision to allow an increase in toll rates and fares of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) and Metro Rail Transit (MRT) amid criticisms that he was not being pro-poor.
"We are in government to make difficult decisions that will result in better services and not just to earn brownie points. I have accepted that I am handsome in the eyes of my mother, that is enough for me," Aquino said in a speech during the 65th anniversary celebration of the Liberal Party.
"That is what I pledged during the campaign and we continue to enforce the needed changes. We should have strength of character to implement the necessary reforms. Integrity that will result in changes and better lives for our people," Aquino said.
The President said there must be change in the idea of governing, not necessarily to earn "pogi" points for popularity.
He said critics slamming his decisions to allow toll increase and raise the LRT and MRT fares were stuck in a time warp, "still in the old times."
The President said government resources must be channeled to other projects such as better and wider roads and even new railway systems rather than continue subsidizing LRT and MRT operations.
"The estimate expenditure of the government for every (MRT) passenger is P60. The fare is much lower than taking the bus. In short, the whole Philippines is paying for the fares of those using the MRT," Aquino said.
Aquino explained his decision was to allow the MRT and LRT to operate by itself.
"And that way, what we have saved could be spent for our other needs," he said.
Aquino also announced new LRT and MRT lines could be built.
"We are doing everything so that there will be one going to Cavite, which is called LRT South," he said.
"There is also one going to Antipolo and to San Jose, Del Monte, Bulacan. When will we be able to do this if the ones running at this time will not be run effectively?"
Aquino claimed his administration bore the brunt of the dilemma since the previous administration had "artificially" lowered the toll rates as well as the LRT and MRT fares.
"We inherited the problem that was rooted from the mistakes of yesterday," he said.
Aquino said such moves must be taken in the effort to lure more investors.
He said the government had poured in funds to give the poorest of the poor a "lifesaver."
He also thanked the members of Congress for passing the budget that provided for the conditional cash transfer.
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Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi
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