Time and again we have emphasized how initiatives to combat graft and corruption, embed an honest and just government and national culture based on integrity and the rule of law, and implement efficient operational procedures in all corners of the government will lead to economic growth and stability.

On President Aquino’s matuwid na daan, we now see how these measures as implemented by this administration are showing more positive results as time goes by.

Whereas other countries face economic declines or slowdowns, the Philippines is gaining growth momentum, even in the face of natural calamities that take a toll on lives and resources.

This economic growth is being noticed by financial and economic entities all over the world, as manifested in the increase in ratings given by different credit-rating agencies. The most recent is the assessment of the Singapore-based DBS Group, which predicts that the Philippine economy will be larger by 80 percent in 2020, with income levels to increase by 45 percent.

Only last week, the President announced a P72.11-billion stimulus package to further the growth spurt, spur entrepreneurial activities, and bring about improvements in the lives of Filipinos that we may actually feel and benefit from in our daily lives.

The stimulus package will be spent on “fast-disbursing and high-impact projects,” according to Budget
Secretary Florencio Abad, that will be included in the Disbursement Acceleration Plan for 2012.

These include “critical public-works and agriculture-infrastructure projects, housing, relocation and resettlement projects, additional funding support for local government units [LGUs], rehabilitation of rail systems, projects that support peace efforts, health-care insurance for indigents, and human-resource development training, among others.”

From the entire amount, P37.92 billion has been earmarked for release to national government agencies; P7.25 billion to LGUs; and P26.90 billion to government-owned and -controlled corporations (GOCCs). The funding will come from “pooled savings from unused appropriations in 2010 and 2011, windfall revenue from GOCC dividends, and realignments within agencies in favor of fast-disbursing projects.”

Among the sectors to benefit is the agricultural—a vital one in providing for food security. The Department of Agriculture will allocate P1.62 billion for projects related to infrastructure—irrigation, farm-to-market roads, and others.

The Mindanao Rural Development Project will receive P919 million in funding, the Agno River Integrated Irrigation Project, P411 million; and the National Survey of Farmers and Fisherfolk, P625 million (for a project of the Department of Budget and Management, the National Statistics Office, Department of Agrarian Reform and the DA).

LGU funds are to be spent on the construction of arterial roads that connect to national roads, as well as on rural electrification and community economic development projects for the poor sector.

There is also good news for people who have longed for their own homes. A total of P11.05 billion will be released to the National Housing Authority for various housing projects.

In the health-care sector, the National Health Insurance Program will receive P1.5 billion for the support of indigents. The Department of Health will get P249 million for the hiring of nurses and midwives to be deployed to rural areas. The Philippine Heart Center will be provided with P357 million to upgrade its physical plant and medical equipment. Other government hospitals will also receive financial support—the Philippine Children’s Medical Center, P280 million for renovation and the purchase of equipment; the Lung Center of the Philippines, P35 million for its pediatric pulmonary program.

In the public-transport sector, P1.87 billion will rehabilitate the Light Rail Transit Lines 1 and 2, and P4.5 billion will allow the Metro Rail Transit to buy additional train cars.

A Comprehensive Peace and Development Intervention package of P8.59 billion will foster peace, development and reform in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. The peace process will be further boosted by P1.82 billion for the Pamana program (Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan).

Through Tesda and other agencies, the government will partner with industry groups like the Business Processing Association of the Philippines for human- resources development, to release P1.1 billion for training of applicants, faculty-trainers, and other activities.

For disaster awareness and preparedness efforts, P425 million will be provided to Pagasa for the enhancement of its Doppler radar network and to establish a National Meteorological and Climate Center with state-of-the-art facilities.

Lack of space prevents me from listing more, but this rundown should give a good idea of how the stimulus package for next year will boost the local economy even further and help the government provide even more benefits for Filipinos.

In the medium to long term, government spending on infrastructure and other vital industries and sectors will send the world a message that the President and his administration are serious in their efforts to observe good governance and implement the reforms that will bring about lasting and sustainable progress and economic stability.

Atty. Rojas is the general manager of the PCSO. Comments? E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .a