PRESIDENT MARCOS JR. 2024 STATE OF THE NATION ADDRESS

President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. (Photo courtesy of State of the Nation Address)

The event began by the singing of the national anthem lead by World Championships of Performing Arts 2024 Gold Medalist Blessie Mae Alipopo Abagat. Followed by the nation’s prayer lead by Bangued, Abra Bishop Leopoldo Jaucian.

At exactly 4:05 p.m. on July 22 at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. officially started delivering his third State of the Nation Address (SONA).

Issues discussed and mentioned by Marcos in his SONA:

Agricultural Sector

Explained the need of government to import rice as the supply generated locally is not enough for all the Filipinos. While smuggled rice will be distributed to those who are in need and assured the public that the government would continue to resolve the high commodity prices in the country.

Seeds and fertilizers were distributed to farmers while fishermen were given fingerlings and fishing boats in the country, along with the improvement of fish ports to support the fishing industry.

The reduced tariff rates to facilitate the importation of rice, corn, and pork is extended until the end of this year. Programs for land reform with the distribution of land titles to farmers. Over 700,000 cases related to agrarian reform have been resolved.

The African Swine Fever (ASF) is now ready to help boost livestock and prevent losses for farmers. The government will continue to open and repair irrigation systems to provide water to hectares of land. Irrigation systems being built now are solar-powered.

Local government units no longer collect fees and charges from motorists transporting goods and merchandise while passing through national roads. Kadiwa Centerscontinued to build in several areas in the country.

Technology and Infrastructures

Building of infrastructure, such as evacuation centers, to help protect the people. Flood control projects had also been completed, and more will be built. Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) workers have been readied to ensure that the country is prepared for disasters and emergencies.

The Free Wi-Fi Program, almost 10 million unique user devices have access to free internet, even who are in far-flung areas in the country. The National Fiber Backbone will give sufficient capacity in terms of bandwidth. Towers to provide connectivity to Filipinos who are at the far end of the last mile.

Electric Power Supply

“Sa taas ng presyo ng kuryente sa bansa, nahihirapan hindi lamang ang mga negosyante kundi lalo na ang taumbayan.” 

The government will continue to address power shortages through microgrid and off-grid systems, and missionary small power utilities supported by solar. To lower the power cost in the country and ensure that there would be fair billing of electricity rates. The suspension of the FIT-All Tariff on electric bills, and the Anti-Bill Shock program.

Major power lines shall contribute to the efficient power exchanges not only between Luzon and the Visayas, but also involving Mindanao. Finally connected the power grids of all three major island groups. The government is reviewing the Epira law to determine whether it needs amendment or not.

Healthcare Sector

More specialty centers and ambulatory services will be built in the country, LGUs are working to build “Super Health Centers” in several areas in the Philippines. A Mobile Clinic where laboratory examinations can be done will be available in every province. 

Expanded PhilHealth coverage and benefits for chronic illness and breast cancers, more generic drugs included in outpatient benefits list. 

Transportation

12,000 kilometers of roads and more than 1,200 bridges have been built and upgraded across the country. C-LEX, NLEX-SLEX Connector, and the Plaridel Bypass will connect northern and central Luzon to Manila and southern Luzon. 20-kilometer Airport-New Clark City Access Road in Pampanga.

The Metro Manila Subway Project has logged significant accomplishments in it tunneling works, the MRT-7 and the North-South Commuter Railway are progressing.

Improvement of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) will continue with the assistance from the private sector. NAIA will soon be a world-class international airport. 70 airport and seaport development projects across the country have been completed, and another 350 ongoing projects are set to be completed by 2028.

Education Sector

The national learning recovery program must proceed without the slightest disruption, especially in basic education. The government will continue to work to equip students with computers, smart TVs, essential programs, digital books, and access to reliable power and Internet.

“Digitalization and solar-powered electricity must now be standard features in our schools and our classrooms. Simply put, this is educational reform through technology,” Marcos said.

The perennial problem surrounding textbooks must be resolved by producing instructional materials that are up-to-date and error-free. Marcos to Angara to ensure the recovery and increase in the quality of education in the country, as soon as possible.

The government has allocated funds to implement the expanded career progression system for public school teachers. Programs for public school teachers namely, the “Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo” Act, Special Hardship Allowance, and Personal Accident Insurance from the GSIS.

4Ps, PWD, Senior Citizens, OFWs, Employment 

Since the last SONA, over 420,000 families have been able to graduate from the program. It means that with the help of 4Ps, their condition and their ability to deal with the challenges of life improved.

“Walang Gutom 2027” will be fully rolled out from the initial 2,300 households to 300,000 food-poor households by the end of 2024, the program will go on until the one million most food-poor Filipinos by 2027 was feed.

Program and beneficial policies and increased discount on basic necessities for persons with disabilities (PWDs) and senior citizens. Government’s continued assistance for the OFWs, and gave credit to their contribution to the country's economy.

Increase in employment rate to 95.9% and in middle-skill employment and full-time jobs. The services of job order and contract of service personnel working in government, the services of job order and contract of service personnel working in government.

Palarong Pambansa, Tourism

Mentioned the successful holding of the Palarong Pambansa 2024, the government will continue to support these health-enhancing sports programs, stressing that 28 of the country’s finest athletes are currently competing in Paris for the glory of the Philippines.

Experiential tourism, the government’s focus to boost the tourism industry, Filipino creativity and ingenuity will enliven and unlock the untapped potential of these new facets of Philippine tourism.

Economy

Poverty rate has significantly dropped to 15.5 percent, down from 18 percent in 2021. This present figure is even lower than the pre-pandemic level of 16.7 percent in 2018. To sustain the country’s economic gains, “we are promoting investment-led growth.”

“We look to the cooperation of our colleagues in the Legislature, not only that our proposed National Budget be approved in your usual timely manner, but that it be adhered to as closely as possible.” 

Peace and Order, War on Drugs

Acknowledges the need for law enforcement officers to earn the trust of the people the police, military, and coast guard undergo continuous capacity-building and asset-upgrading, to better able to preserve the peace and defend the country’s territory.

No guerilla fronts have remained active across the country, assured that government will honor and fully comply with its remaining deliverables and commitments under peace agreements.

Fight against dangerous drugs, the number of drug-affected barangays in the country has been reduced by 32 percent. The government will continue its “bloodless war” on dangerous drugs. “Extermination was never one of them.”

West Philippine Sea

“Ang West Philippine Sea ay hindi isang kathang-isip natin lamang. Ito ay atin. At ito ay mananatiling atin, hangga’t nag-aalab ang diwa ng ating mahal na bansang Pilipinas. Pagtitibayin at palalaguin natin ang kamalayan at kaalaman ng buong bansa, at titiyaking maipapasa natin ito sa ating kabataan at ating susunod na mga salinlahi.”

Acknowledging the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine Coast Guard and Filipino fishermen for their sacrifices. The Philippines will assert its rights and interests over the West Philippine Sea through proper diplomatic channels and mechanisms; will continuously try to find ways to de-escalate tensions in contested areas with its counterparts.

POGO

Effective Monday, July 22, 2024, all Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (Pogo) are banned. Ordering the Philippine Amusement Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) to cease all operations by the end of this year, and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to find new jobs for Filipino workers who will be displaced.

“Kailanan nang itigil ang panggulo nito sa ating lipunan at paglalapastangan sa ating bansa. Effective today, all Pogos are banned.”

5:27 p.m. the third State of the Nation Address (SONA) has ended.

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