ILOILO CITY (PNA) – The installation of President Benigno Simeon Aquino III as the 15th President of the Philippines Wednesday elicited varied reactions among Ilonggos but majority of those asked for their reaction by news media say it was a “proud moment” for them.

Lea Lara, Executive Director of the Iloilo Business Club (IBC), said that for the first time she was able to listen to a “humbling speech” that “touches the basics” which the citizenry expect in Government.

“It’s a memorable time for all of us,” Lara underlined. “There’s a sense of real hope for us Filipinos in the next coming years.”

Lara said that for the first time, Aquino made Filipinos feel that the Government exists to really serve them.

However, she thought that some of the plans mentioned by Aquino would be quite difficult to implement because they “are systemic.” Still, Lara said she hopes that such “plans,” particularly against corruption, will be realized.

“If we set our minds to doing things we really want to do, then surely it will happen. Let us give this administration a really good chance to succeed,” she added.

Similar sentiments were shared by L’Michelle K. Horlador, a former lady councilor of Badiangan, Iloilo. Horlador said Aquino’s victory is a “vindication, a triumph for democracy and justice.”

Jigger Latoza from the academe said that Aquino delivered a “great speech; brief and to the point.” He added that the new President “has effectively gotten across as the people’s President by articulating the daily concerns of ordinary citizens and voicing out the issues citizens grapple with always.”

He agreed that, “indeed, as the President implied, gaining back people’s trust in government may have to start with basic things.”

Tourism Regional Director Edwin Trompeta believed that President Aquino’s expressed intention to invest more in infrastructure “is a great boost to the tourism industry that has lagged behind neighboring countries in terms of infra support.”

Said Trompeta, “I wish to see in my lifetime a tourism highway that will connect Iloilo to Caticlan, cutting travel time by two hours, with world class public toilets installed along the way like those I have seen in other countries with even much less attractions,” he said.

For her part, government employee Carla Solmantil expressed hope that President Aquino would be able to realize in the concrete his commitments and that he would be able to run the country well.

Luna Sales, a boarding house administrator, said she looked forward to the realization of Aquino’s thrusts which he enumerated in his inaugural speech.

Nermie Camina, an entrepreneur, wishes Aquino the best of luck even as she also shared Solmantil and Sales’ expectations.