PNoy vows inclusive growth
BY CARLA GOMEZ

President Benigno Aquino III, in his fourth State of the Nation Address yesterday, vowed to maximize opportunities for all, especially the poor, as he outlined the gains of his administration in the past three years and vowed to continue to go after the corrupt and underperformers in government.

“We are not content to wait for the trickle-down effect; we cannot leave their fate - their receiving the benefits of progress - to chance. What we call inclusive growth - this all-encompassing progress - is the principle that drives every initiative, every action, and every decision of your government,” he said.

Widespread opportunity is the key to comprehensive and sustained progress, he said.

Bacolod policeman
among SONA stars
BY GILBERT BAYORAN

MANILA – Police Officer 3 Felipe Moncatar of the Bacolod City Police was one of the stars of President Benigno Aquino’s State of the Nation Address yesterday.

Moncatar, assigned at Police Station 4, stood tall as he and two other police officers were cited by the President for their exemplary performances amid the negative comments against the Philippine National Police for the alleged involvement of some of its members in high-profile crimes.

Aquino cited Moncatar for the growing list of criminals he has put in jail in Bacolod City and Negros Occidental.

Negros officials upbeat
BY CARLA GOMEZ

Negros Occidental and Bacolod officials yesterday were upbeat about the future of the country following the State of the Nation Address of President Benigno Aquino, but one solon said he failed to act on the more substantive needs of the nation.

Negros Occidental Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. said, “We took note of the President’s assurance that the shortage of classrooms will be addressed because, here in Negros Occidental, there is still a need to answer this area…We are thanking him for that assurance.”

He also said Negrense farmers are grateful for the support that the national government, through the President and Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala, has given.