Newly-inaugurated President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. bares his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City live yesterday, July 25 with over 1,300 political personalities present.
Marcos Jr. outlined his goals and ideals for the Philippines in the coming year as the 17th President of the Republic which included economic, agricultural, digitalization, and social welfare considerations. At the beginning of his speech, he mentioned that although the Filipino people are experiencing hardships, they are working to find solutions.
“We will implement sound fiscal management. Tax administration reforms will be in place to increase revenue collection, expenditure priorities will be realigned and spending efficiency improved to address economic scarring from COVID-19 and prepare for future shocks,” Marcos Jr. said.
Furthermore, he also called on Congress to pass a law mandating the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program for senior high school students. This, according to him,seeks to encourage, prepare, organize, and engage students for national defense readiness, including disaster preparedness and capacity building for risk-related circumstances.
When the topic of the pandemic was brought up, he claimed that it sprung issues for the macroeconomy and caused inflation. However, according to him, the overall economic growth was still good based on the current Gross Domestic Product. To this issue, Marcos Jr. notes that “Spending priorities will be rearranged to meet the COVID-19-related economic damage.”
The 17th President also raised topics on the food crisis, farm-to-market roads, moratorium on land amortization, calamity response, violence vs. women and children, among others.
He mentioned taking measures to safeguard the environment and to evaluate the availability of potable water, particularly, in metropolitan areas. He stated that because the Philippines is prone to natural catastrophes, actions to mitigate climate change must be supported as well.
Towards the end of his speech, Marcos Jr. said he is sure the Filipinos will get through every calamity, pandemic, and socio-economic issues in light of their relentless soul. “We have gathered the brightest Filipino minds to guide us through the current global crisis. We will be victorious in the end. I am absolutely certain of this in my mind, heart, and soul. The condition of the country is sound,” he expressed.
The President was joined by House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez and newly elected Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri as he delivered his sound hope for the country.
Vice President Sara Duterte, Senators Risa Hontiveros, Loren Legarda, Francis Escudero and more were also among the personalities present at the event.
