Several groups in Mindanao staged protest actions in time for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, July 28, 2025.

Progressive group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) Southern Mindanao criticized the administration’s performance in the past three years.

BAYAN called for accountability among public officials allegedly involved in corruption and urged the government to address pressing issues such as wage increases, agrarian reform, disaster response, among others.

“Apil na dinha ang atong concern sa disaster response kung diin ang atong nga kababayan sa dakong bahin sa Pilipinas kay naapektuhan sa bag-ohay nga bagyo,” BAYAN Southern Mindanao Spokesperson, Rauf Sisay, said.

The group held the Marcos administration accountable for what they described as continued hardship experienced by Filipinos, particularly due to the increasing prices of basic commodities.

They also slammed Malacañang for its alleged failure to implement a P200 wage increase.

“Taliwala sa panawagan for wage increase sa workers, pakyas ang Marcos administration unta sa legislated nga P200 salary increase,” Sisay said.

The group gave Marcos a failing grade, saying ordinary Filipinos, especially workers and farmers, have not felt real changes.

“Sa tinuod lang, ang among rating sa iyaha kay bagsak. Pero kung sa scale, 1 kay he has yet to do the reforms that he has been all this time, ang baynte pesos nga bugas, ang ginaingon nga economic recovery and development,” Sisay added.

Meanwhile, labor group Sentro ng mga Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa (SENTRO SOCCSKSARGEN) also held a peace rally in General Santos City hours before Marcos delivered his SONA.

Members of the group carried their placards as they expressed their grievances over the insufficient minimum wage received by workers.

The group called on the president to speed up the approval of the P200 wage increase.

“Sa pagkakaron  imbalanced kaayo  ang nahitabo  walay pulitiko nga  nibarog ani... P430 bisan kinsang experto nga ekonomista ang maghisgut kung pila ang magasto sa usa ka trabahante, bisan sa pamilya nga masustena, dili gyud siya tama. Si PBBM tan awon nga ma-alleviate ang  kahimtang sa tanang manggawa gikan sa kapobrehon,” SENTRO SOCCSKSARGEN Labor Leader, Jumary Arevalo, said.

(With reports from Efren Mamac, GMA Regional TV One Mindanao)