President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said his administration had “done everything necessary” to mitigate the effects of the recent crisis on Filipinos, assuring the public that government assistance would continue until the end of the year.
In his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA), Marcos said the government responded swiftly after the impact of the conflict in the Middle East reached the Philippines, implementing measures to help affected sectors.
“Mga kababayan, sa ating pagbalik-tanaw, kaya ko kayong harapin, at sabihin na ginawa natin ang lahat ng nararapat upang malunasan ang mga epekto ng krisis. Agarang kumilos ang buong pamahalaan upang tumulong sa mamamayan. Sa katunayan, tayo pa ay hinangaan dahil sa bilis, liksi, at pagiging aktibo ng ating pagtugon,” Marcos said before a joint session of Congress.
The President acknowledged that although five months had passed since the conflict began, its effects continue to be felt across the country.
“Limang buwan mula sumiklab ang digmaan, ramdam pa rin natin ang bigat ng mga epekto nito sa ating bansa. Hanggang kailangan, asahan ninyo na hindi titigil ang pagsuporta ng pamahalaan. Naglaan tayo ng mahigit animnapung bilyong piso para dito, hanggang katapusan ng taon,” he said.
Marcos also announced that funds recovered from corruption cases would be redirected to programs benefiting Filipinos in need.
“Ang pondo na naisalba natin na balak ibulsa ng mga tiwaling opisyal, ay sa taumbayan natin ibubuhos. Ngayon, ipipihit natin ang mga programa sa mas nangangailangan nating kapwa-Pilipino, para naman mas malawak at mas marami ang maaabot ng tulong,” he added.
The President said the government would prioritize assistance for 3.5 million beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and the Walang Gutom Program, 1.5 million minimum wage earners who are members of the Social Security System (SSS), and 2.5 million poor Filipinos who have yet to receive government aid.
He added that support would also continue for workers in the transport and agriculture sectors, as well as overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) affected by the crisis.
Overall, Marcos said more than 7.5 million families are expected to benefit from the government’s assistance.
The President also reiterated his administration’s plan to pursue tax relief measures for the middle class while sustaining support for small businesses still coping with the lingering effects of the crisis.
