The current administration will leave a positive legacy once this presidential term has come to an end, since citizens will have more opportunities to develop and improve their quality of life, Peruvian President Ollanta Humala affirmed.
Remarks were made after his annual presidential address in Congress had concluded, which was held in the framework of the 194th Anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Peru.
“[…] I want to say we are leaving a legacy: Once we conclude [our time in office], the Peruvian government will have changed,” he told during a speech delivered at the Lima’s Government Palace Honor Hall.
At the site the Head of State was accompanied by members of the Ministerial Cabinet and Beca 18 (Scholarship) program beneficiaries. Beca 18 is a scholarship program created to enable talented youngsters from underprivileged backgrounds to pursue higher studies in Peru and overseas.
According to the President, the legacy will be based on more Peruvian citizens gaining an enhanced access to learning, jobs, more highways to take advantage of domestic markets, and a series of other infrastructure works developed for the benefit of the poorest Peruvian citizens.
The Head of State reminded to have witnessed a country filled with "huge inequality gaps" when he took office, where citizens were offered different and unfair opportunities depending on their places of birth.
In this sense, he regretted the fact that the "State had not travelled all over the country" during the nearly 200 years of existence of the Peruvian Republic. Instead, it preferred to remain in the "coastal area", being the reason why the Amazonian Valleys and High Andean territories were left behind.
"We found a fragmented and disarticulated country, with an infrastructure deficit, and even worse with a colonial mode of production, which was that of a primary exporting country," he reminded.
Once taking office, the main effort was aimed at boosting the inclusion needed to create opportunities in favor of low-income Peruvians. As well, he said the administration will continue consolidating that social policy throughout his last year in office.
“That has been the government’s praxis: All government actions are framed and respond to social inclusion,” Peru's top official indicated.
As an example, he mentioned the creation of the Development and Social Inclusion Ministry (Midis) and the implementation of a social policy, which merit is to transcend the disarticulated social programs, which existed before his Presidential term.
“ […] We wanted to create what didn’t exist [before]: There wasn’t Beca 18; and what was supposed to happen with these youngsters without any money to pay for education? Today, we’ve given them the opportunity, and there are already 72,000 beneficiaries. What about the seniors in vulnerable situation? Currently, they count on Pension 65. The single mothers rely on Cuna Mas […],” he underlined.
Pension 65 provides a financial support of S/. 250 (about US$ 78.6) to elderly people across the country every two months in a bid to reduce their vulnerability and improve their quality of life. It currently serves 470,000 beneficiaries and is due to assist 500,000 by the fourth year of the government.
Joined by the First Lady Nadine Heredia and State government officials, the Head of State assured his administration managed to accumulate an investment, which exceeds efforts undertaken by the previous administration.
Likewise, he underlined his government’s decisions to grant a pension to disabled people, who happen to be poor, build high-performance schools and bridges to connect people across the country.
“We are fighting to reduce the inequality gaps, so there will be opportunities for everyone. That is why in this Anniversary I am proud to be Peruvian and that my family is Peruvian as well,” Mr. Humala pointed out.
Afterwards, he thanked the Peruvian people for having granted him the opportunity to continue serving the country from the Presidency of Republic.
“Thanks to you, I have become President, and I will never forget that. Therefore, I thank you for giving me the privilege to continue serving my country. I have served my country all my life. Since I graduated from school, I have only been a State servant. I did it as soldier […] during internal and external conflicts, and now thanks to you, I have been permitted to lead the country. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to build opportunities for everyone,” he stated.
(END) CCR/MVB
Published: 7/28/2015