Negros Occidental and Bacolod officials said yesterday they hope President Benigno Aquino III presents a road map for economic growth in his State of the Nation Address at the opening of the 15th Congress at the Batasan Pambansa in Quezon City this afternoon.

Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia, who is attending the SONA with Vice Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson, said: “We expect the president to summarize the gains and momentum created by his administration, which continues to enjoy a high level of support from the general public.

“The road map to an accelerated and sustained economic growth would be a good cap to his SONA. The people of Bacolod hail P-Noy on another milestone of his administration. After all, on the record, after Tarlac, Bacolod registered the second highest in terms of percentage of the votes in his presidential elections victory n 2010,” Leonardia said.

Rep. Alfredo Marañon III (Neg. Occ., 2nd District) said he would like to hear the President talk a more about the economy, and on building on the gains of his administration.

Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3rd District) said he hopes for an “update and future plans on his efforts to curb corruption and how he can institutionalize those achievements into sustainable growth economically and socially.”

Rep. Alejandro Mirasol (Neg. Occ., 5th District) said he expects the president to speak about his campaign against corruption and the economy.

Rep. Mercedes Alvarez (Neg. Occ., 6th District) said she is “hoping to hear more about agricultural plans and projects in the countryside, as well as the president’s future plans for our public school system. I am also looking forward to hear his views on charter change.”

Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda yesterday said the President’s SONA had been finalized and is “good to go.”

Aquino’s SONA, which went through eight drafts, will be delivered in Filipino and will be using visual aids, Lacierda said.

“Expect a truthful and inspiring SONA…it’s a defining SONA for the people and for government workers — for all of us,” he said.*CPG

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