The State of the Nation Address (SONA) is never just a pomp and pageantry for designers’ pieces. For Filipinos, the SONA is not merely a speech, but a light of hope.
As President Rodrigo Duterte hit the spotlight at the plenary hall of the Batasang Pambansa to deliver his second SONA this afternoon, Filipinos are hoping for answers, updates on his promises, and the government’s plans on how to better its people’s lives.
Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said Duterte’s SONA will be “frank and challenging and will carry the theme “A comfortable life for all”.
“The President’s State of the Nation Address will be rendered in broad strokes reviewing past achievements, stating the present situation and announcing future prospects,” he said. “The President’s Report to the People will be available online shortly after the President has spoken. On the whole it will be frank, challenging, realistic but hopeful.”
Aside from tackling the administration’s three key agendas—prosperity for all, law and order, and peace, here’s what people are wanting to hear from the President’s report:
- Support for OFWs
Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) were overwhelmed when Duterte eyed the possibility of establishing a “Department of OFW”, which will focus on “quickly responding to their problems and concerns”.
However, the Department of Foreign Affairs said the plan remains to be a proposal in the Congress.
How is the President planning to further support the OFWs, whose remittances serve as one of the pillars of the country’s economy?
Photo credits: Wikimedia
- Jobs, jobs, jobs in ‘build, build, build’
During his first SONA, the President promised to “attract investments that will generate thousands of jobs each year”. These jobs should be suitable for the “poor and less skilled members of the workforce”.
He has also been pushing for the “build, build, build” initiative or the ₱8 trillion (Dh580 billion) infrastructure program that could create 2 million jobs annually.
How about the endo or contractualization in the private sector? Has the government come up with the best measure to abolish it?
- ‘Freebies’ in the pipeline
According to reports, bills that would grant free tuition in state universities and colleges (SUCs) and free Internet access for the public have landed the President’s table and are now await his signature.
The Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act will provide free education in SUCs as well as local universities and college.
Meanwhile, the Free Internet Access in Public Places Act will provide Internet access in all national and local government offices, public schools, public transport, terminals, public hospitals, and public libraries.
Are we expecting “more freebies?”
- Peace and security
The country has evidently been plagued with peace and security issues since Duterte became the President. This is highlighted by the ongoing siege in Marawi City as well as the declaration of Martial Law in the entire Mindanao.
While comfortability is the main focus of his SONA, how will this be applicable in terms of peace and security in the country?
- Longer passport, drivers license validity
Talking about comfortability, the extension of Philippine passports’ validity to 10 years will surely bring comfort to Filipinos, especially the OFWs.
To recall, The Filipino Times previously reported that lawmakers expect the President to “prioritize the signing of this bill because it is included in his legislative agenda”.
President Duterte is also expected to sign the bill imposing an extension of drivers’ license validity to five years.
