President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. highlighted national concerns, achievements, and changes in his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 28, at Batasang Pambansa Complex.
He discussed some of the country’s overall aspects including economy, health, transportation, education, and justice in his mid-year administration throughout the one hour and 10-minute speech.
He tackled the economic situations including his warning on sabotage of illegal trading of wheat and rice in the country, and his calls for more employment opportunities among Filipinos.
Additionally, his implementation of 20-pesos rice across the local communities through KADIWA stores also gave hope in his speech, strengthening its program through the Department of Agriculture.
He also advocated enhanced health benefits among Filipinos with heart, kidney, and other common Filipino diseases that took priority when talking about the country’s health aspect.
“[H]uwag na po kayong mag-alala dahil covered na po ito ng PhilHealth,” he said.
Furthermore, an assistance fund worth 1.7 billion pesos is expected to cater cancer patients alongside its vaccination against Human Papilloma Virus, causing various cancer diseases.
Shortening of travel time from Bataan to Cavite is among the expected changes to aim in the transportational aspect through Bataan-Cative Interlink Bridge that will start its 32km construction.
“Kung ang biyahe ngayon Mariveles hanggang Naic ay umaabot [ng] limang araw, balang araw, ito ay magiging 45 minuto na lamang,” he stated.
Marcos also sought for the improvement of the country’s education through Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL), and Early Childhood Care and Development Program, pushing forward to betterment of its system.
Alongside its system, feeding programs in daycare centers and public schools were also marked in the initiatives of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and the Department of Education (DepEd), aiming towards more healthy homes by 2027.
“Alam naman natin, basta’t may laman ang tiyan, may laman ang isipan,” he added.
Among these matters, Marcos urged punishment and accountability behind the ‘missing sabungeros’, highlighting the weight of consequences from this criminal act.
“Hahabulin at pananagutin natin ang mga utak at sangkot – sibilyan man o opisyal. Kahit malakas, mabigat, o mayaman, hindi sila mangingibabaw sa batas,” he pointed out.
Attended by the national officials from various branches, the annual SONA serves as the platform to deliver the president’s series of promises and potentials to change throughout their years of administration.
