SONA 2025: A guide for kids

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. vowed to improve basic services in the last three years of his administration during his fourth State of the Nation Address.

Before lawmakers, cabinet officials, ambassadors, and other dignitaries at the Batasang Pambansa on Monday, the president said the results of the recently held mid-term elections is a clear message that the people are dismayed by the performance of the government.

He said his administration must do better and be quicker in ensuring the welfare of Filipinos.

“Kung datos lang ang pag-uusapan, maganda ang ating ekonomiya, tumaas ang kumpiyansa ng mga negosyante. Bumaba ang inflation, dumami ang trabaho,” he said.

“Ngunit ang lahat ng ito ay palamuti lamang, walang saysay, kung ang ating kababayan naman ay hirap pa rin at nabibigatan sa kanilang buhay.”

To this end, Marcos reported what the government has achieved so far, what is being done, and what plans of action are to be implemented for various sectors.

Labor

Marcos said his government is working to give jobs to the 4% of the workforce that remain unemployed.

The president plans to grow various industries including automotive, molding, electronics, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, critical minerals, local textiles, Halal, construction, and power plants to create more jobs.

TESDA's Technical Vocational Education and Training programs are gradually being integrated into Senior High School, so students can be employed right after graduation with national certificates.

The government also aims to help 2.5 million families establish small businesses through providing capital with low interest rates and no collateral needed.

Marcos appealed to the business sector to invest in the Filipino, boasting of the workers’ dependability, adaptability, skills, and heart for service.

Agriculture

The administration will allocate P13 billion to improve the programs of the Department of Agriculture so the P20 rice per kilo can be rolled out nationwide through the Kadiwa stores.

Marcos will also request Congress to amend the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund Act to address the needs of the coconut farmers in support of the industry.

The Department of Agriculture is also disbursing Certificates of Land Ownership Award, e-titles, and Certificates of Condonation with Release of Mortgages for the beneficiaries of agrarian reform.

Public Utilities

Marcos addressed complaints over the lack of water supply, with over 6 million people affected nationwide. The Local Water Utilities Administration is now taking action against water districts and their joint venture partners.

To address lack of electricity, he said almost 200 plants will be constructed in the last three years of his administration. This will provide electricity to four million households. In addition, over one million households will be equipped with solar-power home systems by the end of 2028.

Education

The government allocated P1 billion for the construction of over 300 Barangay Child Development Centers and “Bulilit Centers” nationwide to address the long-term shortage of daycare centers.

To address classroom shortage, Marcos said 22,000 classrooms have been constructed in the past year. The administration will strive to build 40,000 more in partnership with the private sector before he steps down in 2028.

To address teacher shortage and make it easier for our educators, 60,000 teaching items have been added and teachers will be compensated for overload and overtime starting this school year.

Marcos also promised that by the end of the year, all public schools will have internet connection. One million sim cards with free data are already being distributed in schools, especially those in far-flung areas.

Almost P60 billion will be allocated next year for free tuition in public universities and colleges and TESDA.

Health

The Zero Balance Billing policy is now implemented in Department of Health hospitals, which means patients do not have to pay for basic accommodation services.

Patients undergoing dialysis three times a week will get the treatment for free for the whole year. The medicines will also be available for free.

PhilHealth coverage has also been expanded to include kidney transplant, open heart surgery, heart valve replacement and repair, emergency services, various outpatient services, and more.

Peace and Order

Marcos said government agencies are cooperating to solve the case of the Lost Sabungeros. He vowed to go after the people involved and make them accountable, whether they are civilians or officials.

The president also said over 153,000 arrests have been made in anti-drug operations. Over 9,600 are high-value targets, over 670 are government staff, over 100 are elected officials, and over 50 are police. Almost P80 billion worth of illegal drugs have also been confiscated.

Transportation

Additional train cars from the Dalian trains procured in 2014 are now being deployed after not being used for a decade.

Persons with Disabilities, senior citizens, and students will now get a 50% discount on the MRT and LRT, up from the previous 25%.

The Love Bus of the 1970s will also return and offer rides for free. Pilot testing is already underway in Davao and Cebu, with more cities in Visayas and Mindanao to follow.

Infrastructure

The Guadalupe bridge connecting Mandaluyong City and Makati City will be rehabilitated to ensure the safety of the public. A detour bridge will be constructed on both sides and work on the main bridge will only begin once this is done.

The construction of the Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge will begin before the year ends. It will connect Mariveles to Naic, cutting travel time from five hours to 45 minutes. Meanwhile, the Mindanao Transport Connectivity Improvement Project will rehabilitate the major roads connecting Cagayan De Oro City, Davao City, and General Santos City.

Marcos also vowed to look into flood control projects after many cities and provinces experienced flooding due to the effects of the Habagat and the recent typhoons. The Department of Public Works and Highways will submit to him a list of all the projects that were started and completed in the last years. This list will be published for transparency.

The list will be examined to identify failed, unfinished, or alleged ghost projects. They will also be audited to know how public money was spent on the project. —CDC, GMA Integrated News