Quezon city: In the same hall where he once declared 'the state of the nation is sound,' President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. returned to Congress to mark the halfway point of his presidency. This time, he delivered a firmer call to action.
According to Philippines News Agency, Marcos used his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) to lay out a comprehensive agenda focusing on jobs, food, education, healthcare, infrastructure, governance, and security. His speech, lasting one hour and 10 minutes, confronted public frustrations with government inefficiencies while highlighting economic progress.
Marcos noted improvements in the economy, citing increased business confidence, reduced inflation, and job growth. However, he emphasized that these advancements mean little if Filipinos continue to struggle in their daily lives. To address this, Marcos pledged to surpass current efforts to improve living conditions in the final three years of his administration.
The President's 2025 SONA received 124 rounds of applause, with the loudest for his call to audit flood control projects, which have been criticized for failing to mitigate flooding in Metro Manila and nearby areas.
Focusing on employment, Marcos asserted that decent jobs are essential to combating poverty and hunger. He reported a drop in the unemployment rate to four percent and announced plans to assist 2.5 million poor families in starting microenterprises with government support.
Marcos also highlighted the rollout of PHP20-per-kilo rice as evidence of successful subsidy schemes, ensuring farmer profitability. The government expanded its feeding program for schoolchildren, providing nutritious meals to over 3.5 million learners nationwide.
Addressing water service failures, Marcos promised accountability for providers not meeting public service standards. This follows a critical report by the Local Water Utilities Administration.
In education, the President announced overtime pay for public school teachers and the creation of 60,000 new teaching positions. He also outlined reforms, including the integration of tech-voc education into Senior High School and the provision of free laptops for teachers.
Turning to the anti-drug campaign, Marcos pledged ongoing efforts against drug dealers and vowed justice for missing "sabungeros" believed abducted by crime syndicates. He assured that those responsible, regardless of power or wealth, would face legal consequences.
The speech's most significant applause followed Marcos's announcement of a full audit of flood control projects. He criticized ineffective infrastructure exposed by recent floods, calling for accountability among those misusing public funds.
Concluding his SONA, Marcos urged unity, discipline, and progress, reflecting on lessons from his first three years in office. He expressed renewed energy and dedication to leading the nation toward a brighter future. As applause filled the Batasan Pambansa hall, Marcos left with a commitment to finish strong.
