By Arabella Balderama

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. delivered his second State of the Nation Address (SONA) in the plenary of Batasang Pambansa, Quezon City, with the speech lasting for over an hour.

Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Romeo Brawner Jr. welcomed the President, along with Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, House Speaker Martin Romualdez, and other known politicians present in the SONA.Thumbnail from SunStar

With an emphasis on the country’s economic rate, Marcos Jr. also addressed issues regarding the Philippines’ agricultural sector, infrastructural works, education system, and healthcare.

“Sa mga nakalipas na buwan, nakita natin ang pagbaba ng presyo ng bilihin,” Marcos said, citing that the Philippine inflation rate is “moving in the right direction.” 

In light of this, the President remarked that the Kadiwa Program significantly contributed to easing the country’s rising prices in goods and services.

In terms of striving for food security, Marcos stated that their methods are now “more guided by Science and the balance of nature,” which supports his aim of sustainable development for the fisheries and farming sectors.

The Build-Better-More Program, on the other hand, will help in the development of roads, bridges, seaports, airports, and mass transport as it accounts 83 percent of the said project.

Power generation, electrification, and utilization of renewables were listed by Marcos as steps in pursuit of the country’s green energy goal, specifying that the Malampaya Project had guaranteed continued revenues and energy production.

“We are augmenting as well our school workforce,” says Marcos, adding that shortage of classrooms and facilities is being handled amidst recalibrating the curriculum for it to be “at par with international standards.”

Moreover, Marcos affirmed that structural changes in the healthcare system are being managed to tend to the lack of medical professionals and the needs of Filipinos while the Konsulta Package of PhilHealth has been improved.

“We have embarked on foreign trips to promote the interests of the country, for peace-building and for mutually beneficial purposes,” said Marcos, pointing out the various sealed arrangements with foreign countries such as Australia, China, Japan, Korea, and New Zealand.

Shifting to a digitalized nation was also one of Marcos’ plans as he deemed that it would “support the government’s data-driven and science-based planning and decision-making.” Strategies cited included the launch of public services in mobile applications.

In terms of housing, Marcos noted that the Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino Housing Program and PAG-IBIG Fund keeps on assisting Filipinos with their shelter necessities. 

Meanwhile, the anti-illegal drugs campaign resumed, but is now leaned towards community-based treatment, rehabilitation, education, and reintegration, following the Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan Program’s launch.

The President further discussed that some of the nation’s “high-priority” projects he mentioned can now utilize the recently-signed Maharlika Investment Fund for strategic financing.

As his speech approached its end, Marcos Jr. honored the efforts of every Filipino in developing an improved future for the nation.

“With this in my heart, I know that the state of the nation is sound and is improving. Dumating na po ang bagong Pilipinas,” Marcos concluded.

Hours before the SONA began, protesters gathered along Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City to call for different advocacies, such as an increase in salary.

This year’s SONA is already Marcos Jr.’s second, as he delivered his first address two months after he was elected as President in 2022.

Thumbnail from SunStar