Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. delivered a practical report, addressing the most urgent issues affecting ordinary Filipino families -- food affordability, access to water and electricity, basic healthcare, job creation, and local infrastructure, according to an economist. Economist and former Albay 2nd District Representative Joey Salceda said the President, in his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, acknowledged the disparity between official growth figures and the public's actual experience in their daily lives.

According to Philippines News Agency, the President reiterated the goal of PHP20 per kilo of rice, supporting this with existing pilot programs and enforcement measures against hoarding and price manipulation. He said the Chief Executive also vowed capital support for two and a half million poor families to help them start their livelihood activities and reported that four million households have gained access to electricity from two hundred completed facilities.

While the President focused on immediate operational issues, Salceda said he overlooked several landmark accomplishments that are already reshaping the national policy landscape -- significant gains in housing, trade, security, and climate diplomacy. Salceda also highlighted the Marcos administration's success in securing an economic arrangement with the United States.

"This arrangement ensures continued access for sectors such as electronics and metals. This crucial development was overlooked in media coverage, which focused obsessively on the one percent reduction," he added. Salceda also cited climate diplomacy as another accomplishment of the administration, referring to the International Court of Justice ruling that says states could be held accountable for failing to fulfill their climate commitments.