13 Key Takeaways From President Bongbong Marcos' Second SONA
A year into office, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr. reiterated his administration's gains in the past year, including key progress and updates on public health, infrastructure, education, and agriculture, among others. He addressed the nation at the Batasang Pambansa complex in Quezon City on Monday (July 24), before a joint session of Congress, laying out his vision, new policies, and what's next for his presidency.
1| Highest economic growth rate in 46 years
The President noted that while inflation and the rising oil prices have destabilized markets, his economic team nevertheless managed to achieve stable growth.
"While the global prospects were bleak, our economy posted a 7.6 percent growth in 2022—our highest growth rate in 46 years. For the first quarter of the year, our growth registered at 6.4 percent. It remains within our target of 6 to 7 percent for 2023. We are still considered to be among the fastest-growing economies in the Asian region and the world. It is a testament to our strong macroeconomic fundamentals."
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2| On food security and agricultural production
Marcos emphasized the development of various social programs to empower both producers and consumers. Among these initiatives is the KADIWA program, which offers basic goods at reduced costs.
"Sa mahigit pitong libong KADIWA na idinaos sa buong Pilipinas, 1.8 milyon na mga pamilya ang nakinabang sa mababang presyo ng bilihin. Sa kabuuan, halos pitong-daang milyon piso ang naging benta ng mga ito, na nakapagbigay ng hanapbuhay sa mga miyembro ng mahigit tatlong libong mga kooperatiba at samahan.
Maganda ang nakita nating resulta, kaya papalawigin pa natin ang KADIWA sa buong bansa. Kamakailan lamang ay nagsanib-puwersa ang mga ahensiya ng pamahalaan upang lalo pang patibayin ang KADIWA. Katuwang natin dito ang buong sektor ng agrikultura at lokal na pamahalaan.
Our aim is to boost our local agricultural production—through consolidation, modernization, mechanization, and improvement of value chains—augmented by timely and calibrated importation, as needed."
The Food Stamp Program (FSP) was also launched just a week ago, he added. This was said to complement the "First 1,000 Days" program, which is a nutrition continuity project for infants and newborns.
3| "One Grid, One Market"
Marcos boasts eight new powerplants built in the country over the past year, bringing our total to 17 in terms of power generation facilities. Apart from that, he talked about the "One Grid, One Market" scheme
"We finally have a Unified National Grid, with the interconnection of the Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao grids. The “One Grid, One Market” will enable more efficient transfers and more competitive pricing of electricity throughout the country."
4| On the gains of the "Build, Better More" program
Infrastructure spending will stay at the five to six percent range of the GDP, the President said.
"Our P8.3 trillion 'Build, Better More' program is currently in progress and being vigorously implemented.
As of June this year, we have constructed, maintained, and upgraded more than 4,000 kilometers of roads and around 500 bridges across the country. Crucial airport and port development projects have also been completed across the country, including Cebu Pier’s 88 Smart Port and the new passenger terminal buildings of Clark Airport and the Port of Calapan."
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He also pointed out that, in due time, and thanks to these new infrastruture projects, travel time between Ilocos and Bicol will be cut from 20 hours to nine while the travel time between Pampanga and Laguna will go from four hours to just two.
5| On water security
The President said that his term will focus on a more "cohesive, centralized, and systematic" approach to water security.
"We have created the Water Resources Management Office to specifically handle the delicate job involving this most precious resource. Nakikipag-ugnayan tayo sa Kongreso upang maipasa ang batas para sa pagbuo ng isang Department of Water Resource Management.
"This year, we have allocated 14.6 billion pesos for water supply projects, which will benefit communities all over the country. Recently, the water supply of NCR and Rizal received a significant boost from the first phase of the Wawa Bulk Water Supply Project. The water supply will increase as the Project enters the second phase.
"We have installed six thousand rainwater collection systems across the country, in preparation for the looming dry spell brought about by El Niño."
6| Amendments to the Fisheries and Cooperative Codes
Marcos vouched for a "science-based analysis" of fishing areas and cooperatives to achieve "environmental balance.
"We will seek the support of Congress to amend the Code to guarantee sustainable development of our fisheries sector in harmony with environmental balance...
"Ipinag-bubuklod natin ang mga magsasaka, sa pama-magitan ng farm and fisheries clustering at mga livestock multiplier farms. Tatlong daang clusters na ang ating natukoy, na binubuo ng halos siyam na raang kooperatiba, at may lawak na mahigit dalawang-daang libong ektarya ng bukirin.
"Upang mas mapabilis at mapadali ang pagbuo ng kooperatiba, kakailanganin natin ang suporta ng Kongreso na maamyendahan ang Cooperative Code. Sa pamamagitan nito, unti-unting lalakas ang kanilang produksyon at puwersa sa merkado. Totoo ang kasabihan: mas malakas kung sama-sama."
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7| Climate change and the "circular economy"
The President alluded to the building blocks of sustainable communities in how the nation must face the effects of climate change. With it, he hopes to come up with national policies to implement a "circular economy" with nature as the Philippines' model.
"Climate change is now an important criterion in our integral national policies, in planning, decision-making, up to the implementation of programs. The potential advantages of such enlightened policies extend to jobs and livelihood, with the unlocking of the development of the green and blue economies...
"Our evacuation centers are being upgraded to withstand the greater forces of the new normal of extreme weather, as well as other natural and man-made disasters. Furthermore, new evacuation centers are also being built, of which 55 have already been completed...
"We have adopted the concept of the 'circular economy,' using nature as our model. The aim is to keep raw materials in a closed loop. In our world with scarce resources, the circular economy allows us to fully use these resources, minimize waste and reduce the need for new resources—as it is in nature."
Marcos said that renewable energy is the way forward. In line with this, his administration will be aggressively promoting renewables, so that it leads to a 35 percent share in the power mix by 2030, and then "on to 50 percent by 2040."
8| Changes to the healthcare system
Marcos was adamant that his administration's plans for our healthcare system is going through "structural enhancements." This includes 3,400 completed projects for specialized medical treatment. Among them was the new five-hectare multi-specialty center in Pampanga, which encompasses pediatrics, cardiology, kidney, and cancer treatment.
"Ang kalusugan ang ikalawang armas: para sa lakas ng panga-ngatawan ng bawat Pilipino. Isinu-sulong nating muli ang kalusugan ng Pilipino...
We are now refocusing our health priorities, applying the lessons learnt from the pandemic and addressing the weaknesses that it has exposed."
He acknowledged the great migration of our healthcare professionals, as well.
"To address the current shortage of healthcare professionals in our country, and to help us achieve our goal of universal healthcare, we are greatly expanding our medical and nursing education programs. We will push the envelope further. We are helping nursing graduates hurdle their board exams, so that they will obtain their licenses and join our pool of healthcare professionals."
9| Amnesty for rebels
The administration is keen on suppressing the armed conflict by allowing for more community-based dialogue between the state and rebel forces.
“Through community development and livelihood programs, the Barangay Development and Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Programs have been effective in addressing the root cause of conflict in the countryside. To complete this reintegration process, I will issue a Proclamation granting amnesty to rebel returnees. And I ask Congress to support us in this endeavor.”
10| A new campaign against the illegal drug trade
Marcos makes it clear that we should rethink the War on Drugs campaign. His strategy will put treatment over violence. Of course, the recent police force cleanup was mentioned, as well.
“The campaign against illegal drugs continues – but it has taken on a new face. It is now geared towards community-based treatment, rehabilitation, education, and reintegration, to curb drug dependence among our affected citizenry….
"We will relentlessly continue our fight against drug syndicates, shutting down their illegal activities and dismantling their network of operations…. Unscrupulous law enforcers and others involved in the highly nefarious drug trade have been exposed. I will be accepting their resignations.”
11| On asserting sovereignty
As talks of the nine-dash line controversy ensue and China's continued incursion into Philippine waters, the President reasserted the country's stance.
"We will protect our sovereign rights and preserve our territorial integrity, in defense of rules-based international order."
12| The transition of the Bangsamoro region
Marcos said he hopes to integrate the Bangsamoro region to prevent further infighting and to achieve peace.
“We are proud of the progress that the BARMM has taken…. Former adversaries are now partners in peace. Its functions have been defined, and its basic laws are now being written. Through the BARMM, we have strengthened the nation’s prospects for finally achieving sustainable progress anchored on a true and lasting peace in Southern Philippines. We will continue to support the progress of the BARMM, apace with our singular vision for all Filipinos.”
13| "Dumating na po ang Bagong Pilipinas."
Marcos had this to say as he ended his speech:
“Every Filipino have unanimously risen to the challenge that we have made to them to be part of the nation’s future. Handa silang maghandog ng tulong, dahil mahal nila ang kanilang kapwa-Pilipino, at mahal na mahal nila ang Pilipinas. With this in my heart, I know that the state of the nation is sound, and is improving…. Dumating na po ang Bagong Pilipinas.”
