On Monday, July 22, 2024, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. delivered his third State of the Nation Address (SONA), underscoring the achievements of his administration and promising a thriving economy.
The following is an overview of the main points of Marcos’s speech:
Agriculture
The president said the country had recorded its highest rice harvest since 1987, amounting to more than 20 million tons last year.
He also reported that more than 100 million kilos worth of seeds and fertilizers were distributed to farmers along with more than 300,000 hens. He also stated that fisherfolk nationwide have benefited from more than 500 million fingerlings and 3,000 boats.
He said the government was ready to distribute vaccines against the African Swine Fever to prevent supply loss.
“Patuloy natin susuportahan ang sektor ng agrikultura upang mapabilis, mapadali, at mapalakas ang produksyon mula sa pagpunla, pag-ani, pag-huli, pagbyahe at pagbenta,” he said.
Infrastructure
Marcos Jr. reported that more than 1,200 bridges and 12,000 kilometers of roads were upgraded or built.
Among these is the Inter-Island Linkage Bridge Program which will open the Panguil Bay Bridge connecting Lanao del Norte to Misamis Occidental and the Guicam Bridge in Zamboanga Sibugay linking Olutanga to the main island of Mindanao, this year.
He also said the construction of the Central Luzon Link Expressway (CLEx)-SLEX-NLEX Connector and Plaridel Bypass would be fully completed by the end of this year and the Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAX) and C5 Southlink would be fully operational in 2025.
Marcos Jr. reported that more than 70 airports and seaport developments have been completed with 350 ongoing projects set to be completed in 2028.
“Our infrastructure development remains sustained, strategic, and on schedule,” he said.
‘Bloodless’ Drug War
Marcos Jr. emphasized the effectiveness of his “bloodless” approach to the drug war.
“Our bloodless war on dangerous drugs adheres and will continue to adhere to the 8 E’s of effective anti-illegal drugs strategy. Extermination is never one of them.”
He said more than 71,500 drug operations resulted in P44 billion worth of seizures of illegal drugs and the arrests of more than 97,000 drug personalities, where 6,000 are “high-value” targets.
Of the total, 440 were government employees, of whom 42 were uniformed personnel and 77 were elected officials.
The president also said “dirty money and assets” valued at over P500 million were preserved or paralyzed.
“With strong case build-up and efficient prosecution, the drug conviction rate is at a high of 79 percent,” he said.
The number of barangays nationwide afflicted by illegal drugs decreased by 32%.
Territorial Sovereignty
On the issue of the West Philippine Sea, the President said that the country’s rights and interests will be asserted in the “same fair, and pacific way that (we) have always done.”
“Proper diplomatic channels and mechanisms under the rules based on international order remain the only acceptable means of settling disputes,” he said.
Less than a week before the SONA, the Philippines and China agreed to set up communication channels to deal with the maritime disputes over the WPS.
In his speech, the President also cited the need to strengthen the knowledge and awareness of Filipinos on the issue and ensure that these will be passed on to the youth and the next generation.
“Ang West Philippine Sea ay hindi kathang-isip lamang. Ito ay atin. At ito ay mananatiling atin hanggat nag-aalab ang diwa ng ating minamahal na bansang Pilipinas,” he said.
POGO (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators)
Nearing the conclusion of his third State of the Nation Address, Marcos Jr. declared the banning of the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) in the country.
“Disguising as legitimate entities, their operations have ventured into illicit areas furthest from gaming; such as financial scamming, money laundering, prostitution, human-trafficking, kidnapping, brutal torture, even murder. The grave abuse and disrespect to our system of laws must stop,” Marcos said.
“Effective today, all POGOs are now banned,” he announced.
Following this announcement was his order to the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. to wind down and cease the operation of POGOs by the end of this year and for DOLE to assist Filipinos who will be affected by the ban in finding new jobs. #PressOnePH