Manila: President Benigno Aquino has asked young Filipinos to volunteer and help him realise his election promise of change, to end poverty, and corruption, as he vowed to work harder.
Talking to 8,000 students who attended the launch of his campaign called, "Our Nation," at suburban Pasig's Philippine Sports Arena, Aquino called for the revival of people-power, adding that it is a good foundation and the benefits will trickle down to the poor.
His Philippine Development Plan relied on private businesses to take advantage of the government's old build-operate, and transfer investment scheme which was put in place in 2000.
Aquino's mother, former president Corazon Aquino, was propped to power by a people-backed military mutiny which ousted former dictator Ferdinand Marcos in 1986. The peaceful change of government was attributed to the country's people power.
Responding to critics about Aquino's alleged lack of dynamic economic plan to end poverty, Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma said, "The president is as determined as he was one year ago to lead the country towards the fruition of the vision that was initiated with the social contract, that is now embodied in the Philippine Development Plan."
End poverty
Aquino is open to suggestions on how he can end poverty and develop the Philippines, said Coloma.
However, Aquino gave in more to his penchant for shaming and blaming Arroyo even if she was responsible for the country's economic growth, which has also helped his administration's economic outlook.
Aquino has not received good grades for anti-corruption, anti-poverty plan, and better government service which he promised.
According to Pulse Asia's survey on 1,200 respondents from May 21 to June 4, 39 per cent approved of Aquino's control of inflation, and 40 per cent on his efforts to reduce poverty.
Pulse Asia said that Aquino received good grades in fighting crime (60 per cent), job creation (53 per cent) and increase in workers' pay (51 per cent).
