Philippine President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos delivered his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) to Congress, outlining the policy priorities for the next three years and vowing to "go all out" to fulfill promises and significantly improve the standard of living for the citizens.
Infrastructure and Anti-Corruption: Comprehensive Audit of Flood Control Projects
Marcos emphasized that infrastructure is the engine of national development, and the government will continue to push forward key projects in roads, railways, ports, airports, and housing. He specifically noted that all flood control projects will undergo systematic audits to crack down on corruption, shoddy work, and project delays. "Public safety is paramount, and any substandard construction and corruption will be prosecuted," he stated unequivocally.
Healthcare Policy: Implementing a "Zero Balance" System
He announced that all national public hospitals will implement a "zero balance" policy to ensure that patients do not have to pay out of pocket; PhilHealth's coverage will also include major illnesses such as cancer and heart disease. Additionally, the government promises to equip every village with a doctor and distribute one million free internet SIM cards to enhance the accessibility of public services at the grassroots level.
Digital Government: Promoting Online Government Services and Education
The digitization of government services continues to advance, with the eGovPH application set to cover the entire country, speeding up administrative efficiency. By the end of the year, all public schools will have internet access, reducing the educational gap between urban and rural areas and providing better digital learning conditions for teachers and students.
Security and Drug Enforcement: Eradicating Drug Networks
Marcos stated that there are no longer any guerrilla threats in the Philippines. He also revealed that 677 government officials are involved in drugs, and the government will continue to combat drug traffickers and clean up internal corruption to rebuild trust in law enforcement.
Disaster Management and Environmental Protection: Schools No Longer Used as Shelters
Given the frequency of typhoons, he announced that schools will no longer be used as shelters in the future. Local governments need to open parks and gyms to accommodate disaster victims and use technology to improve disaster warning and response capabilities.
Transportation: Restoring Free "Love Bus" Services
With ongoing severe traffic issues in the capital, Marcos promised to restore the free "Love Bus" shuttle service. The railway and light rail systems will also be upgraded, including maintenance of Dalian trains and construction of new routes.
Agricultural Policy: Stabilizing Food Prices and Vaccine Deployment
He vowed to push for rice prices to drop to 20 pesos per kilogram, with 113 billion pesos allocated to expand the "Kadiwa" affordable food network and combat price manipulation. The African swine fever vaccine is about to be launched, expected to improve the safety of pig farming.
Land Reform and Youth Agriculture Program
Marcos called for accelerating land reform to ensure farmers own their land and encouraged young people to participate in agriculture by issuing electronic property rights certificates, revitalizing the rural economy.
Foreign Policy: Neutral Cooperation as the Basis
In foreign affairs, he reiterated the stance of "being friendly and making no enemies," especially thanking Middle Eastern countries for their tolerant treatment of Filipino workers and stating that he will continue to adopt a strategy of cooperative neutrality internationally.
Poverty Reduction Achievements: 1.5 Million Families Out of Poverty
Marcos claimed that 1.5 million families have been lifted out of poverty through the "4Ps" program, and the government will continue to invest in children's education and nutrition to establish a long-term social safety net.
Unclear Stance on Gambling, Future Prospects to be Resolved
Although the SONA covered many issues related to people's livelihoods, Marcos did not mention the issue of online gambling that concerns the public, sparking speculation. Considering government financial pressures and employment needs, it is generally believed that a complete ban is not yet decided, and the future may lean towards "enhanced regulation" rather than a "one-size-fits-all" approach.
This SONA conveyed the government's continuous reform signals in security, healthcare, infrastructure, and agriculture, but the policy direction in the gambling sector remains vague, leaving many questions unanswered.
