PGMA SONA to focus on realignment of expenditures -- NEDA

MANILA, July 13 (PNA) -- President Gloria Macapagal- Arroyo is expected to explain in her 8th State-of-the-Nation Address (SONA) on July 28, the realignment of expenditures to social programs for the country to cope with the "global economic slowdown.”

Acting National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Director-General Augusto Santos, in an interview over government-run Radyo ng Bayan this morning, said the President wants expenditures focused on social programs, infrastructure and environment protection.

"Gusto gawin ng gobyerno, ‘yung parang kailangan pagbutihin ang expenditures, ilagay sa tamang lugar, sa social programs, infrastructures, and programs to protect the environment (She wants the government to improve its expenditures and pour in money in social programs, infrastructure and protection of the environment)," Santos said.

Malacañang has also plans of a media campaign on the government's "achievements" in time for the SONA, the annual speech the President delivers before a joint session of Congress to spell out the accomplishments and thrusts of the administration.

Santos added that the Philippines has been caught in a "global economic crisis" that can be dealt with through strengthened partnership between the government and the private sector.

Santos also insisted the government's economic fundamentals remain in place.

He said NEDA projects that the economy will still grow this year but it will likely be lower than last year’s 7.3 percent.

In the same program, Presidential Management Staff head Cerge Remonde said many of the government's infrastructure projects have been completed, most even ahead of schedule.