Bayan Ngayon 2023: Ang Ikalawang State of the Nation Address ni Pangulong Marcos, Jr.

President Marcos, Jr. will speak to the nation later this afternoon.

At past 4:00 pm today, July 24, 2023, Philippine President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos, Jr. will deliver his second State of the Nation Address at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City. He is expected to list down what he may have accomplished for the past year and will lay out the plans for the next five years of his administration.

Trendrod will deliver the highlights from his speech on the website starting at 4:00 pm today.

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Highlights

• President Marcos arrived via the Presidential Chopper at the Batasan Pambansa complex at around 3:40 pm.

• Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, House Speaker Martin Romualdez, among other lawmakers, greet the President as he makes his way inside the building. They are set to have an informal meeting at the Legislator’s Lounge.

• The President began making his way towards the Plenary Hall at 3:55 pm.

• According to his son, Rep. Sandro Marcos, the President’s speech will run for about 1 hour and 25 minutes or 85 minutes long.

• The instrumental version of ‘Ako ay Pilipino’ plays as he walks across the hall and ascends to the rostrum.

• Lara Maigue sings the Philippine National Anthem. Initially, the President did not disclose her name, saying it was a ‘surprise,’ only to be revealed by the President Communications team a day later.

• The Nation’s Prayer is delivered by representatives of different religions in the country.

• The President opens his speech greeting sitting VP Duterte, former Presidents, other top figures in other government branches, delegates from other countries, First Lady Liza Marcos, and former First Lady Imelda Marcos.

• He makes a recap of the promises that he had made in 2022.

• The first topic on-hand: inflation.

• Marcos blames Ukraine war, reduced production, and COVID-19 pandemic as reasons for the rising costs, says that the inflation is felt around the world.

• Marcos says that his economic team has made strides in putting up relevant policies to drive inflation down. He also shares that the country has achieved 7.6% GDP growth in 2022, despite “bleak” economic surrounding.

• PH records 6.4% growth in GDP for Q1 2023, well in the target of 6 to 7% in 2023. — Marcos

• He says that the growth is due to strong macroeconomic fundamentals.

• Philippine financial system also remains strong and stable, the President said.

• “Inflation rate also moving in the right direction,” citing the decrease of the inflation rate from 8.7% in January to 5.4% in June.

• Marcos says Bangko Sentral projects inflation rate to go down to 2.9% in 2024.

• Marcos: Pinapalakas natin ang kakayahan ng mamamayan upang mapaganda ang kanilang pamumuhay.

• Marcos says the Bureau of Internal Revenue has posted a record collection of Php 1.05 trillion from January to May 2023. “Bureau of Customs also increased collection in the first seven months of the year, amounting to Php 476 billion.”

• PAGCOR, PCSO also increased collection from July 2022.

• “Naipakita natin na kaya mapababa ang presyo ng bigas, karne, isda, at asukal.” Adds that Kadiwa stores are helpful to both farmers and consumers, since they cut the middlemen in the process. Marcos says Kadiwa will expand.

• “Our aim is to boost agricultural production through consolidation, modernization, mechanization, and improvememt of value chains.” He adds, it will only be augmented by importation when needed.

• Agriculture sector increased production to 2.2% in first quarter 2023.

• “Methods are now guided by science,” on agri production. He also asks that the fisheries code be revised to incorporate science-based analysis.

• He also requests the Congress to amend Cooperative Code to allow consolidation of farm and fishering clusters in the country.

• Marcos adds that the government has distributed machineries and tools to agriculture sector. The gov’t also gave vouchers for gasoline and fertilizer for farmers.

• The gov’t also running after smugglers, economic saboteurs, hoarders among others.

• Farm-to-market roads also expanded for 600 km, irrigation provided to farmers, among other infrastructures.

• Gov’t also preparing for El Niño with buffer stocks and water supply. Cloud seeding will be done if necessary. Marcos encourages consumers to save on water and prepare for drought.

• 70,000 land titles given to farmers under agrarian reform program. Boasts new Agrarian Emancipation Act, which erases Php 57 billion total worth of debt of all beneficiaries.

• Marcos highlights water security; encourages the Congress to pass a law creating a Department of Water Resources Management.

• Gov’t also built new infrastructures relating to water supply management across the country, such as 6,000 rainwater collection systems.

• On infra, “we will build better and more.” 123 projects are said to be under the program, encompassing physical and digital connectivity infrastructure. Spending on infra will also remain at 5-6% of Philippines’ GDP.

• 1,200km Luzon Spine Expressway will cut down land travel from Ilocos to Bicol from 20 hours to just 9 hours.

• Mega-bridges will be built to connect islands. List includes Cavite-Bataan, Panay-Guimaras-Negros Island, and Samal-Davao bridges.

• Marcos says improvement in road infra, as well as airports and ports have been made in the past year.

• Gov’t also greenlights railway projects, like the southern leg of the North-South Commuter Railway. Pampanga to Laguna travel will also be cut down from “4 hours to two.”

• Marcos: Maharlika Investment Fund to be used for building infra

• MIF should be used to make high impact and profitable investments. Gains from the funds should be reinvested to country’s economic well-being. Internationally-recognized economic managers to oversee MIF to ensure transparency and accountability.

• Funds for social security and healthcare of the people “shall remain intact and separate [from MIF].”

• Marcos: Since last year, gas and diesel prices have dropped by 18 and 29 per cent, respectively.

• 8 new power plants opened, bringing total to 17 new operational power plants since last year. Adding 1,774 megawatts in power generation.

• Marcos aims for 100% household electrification in the country by the end of his term in 2028.

• Marcos wants to invest in renewable energy sources, visions to make those 35% of energy generation by 2030 and 50% in 2040. To expedite the goal, the projects have been opened to foreign investments.

• Malampaya contract renewal ensures revenue and emergy generation for another 15 years. Marcos pushes for more gas explorations in other parts of the country.

• Unified electricity grid made by interconnecting of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao grids is also being pushed to be completed. “We look to NGCP to complete deliverables.”

• “Pinapalakas natin ang kakayahan ng mga Pilipino sa edukasyon, kalusugan, at trabaho.” — Marcos

• Marcos says government is also funding assistance to those who need it the most through various agencies like the DSWD, DOLE, DepEd, among others.

• Marcos: Efforts are underway to make pension of military and uniformed personnel sustainable.

• Marcos: Learning recovery will be at the forefront of our education agenda

• New personnel added to ease teachers of their burden: Marcos

• Shortage of classrooms being addressed, retrofitting of existing ones being made to prepare them for the future and disaster resiliency.

• K+10 curriculum being recalibrated to ensure that it is on par with international standard. Alternative learning systems also being used to “keep our youth out of the dark corners of our society.”

• More higher education institution have made it to the world rankings – Marcos

• Tertiary education in SUCs will also remain free for qualified students.

• Scholarships are given to talented students, such as those who excel in the field of science.

• Upgraded facilities and spending in research and development also being made for the science sector.

• PH launched two new satellites into space, will analyze weather, soil, water supply, change in population, geohazard, and even security.

• Science, technology, and innovation to drive Philippine workforce

• Maritime education also being strengthened; European Union’s question on standards of training for PH seafarers also resolved.

• Medical and nursing education being expanded.

• Marcos says gov’t will refocus its health programs, learning from the lessons taught by the pandemic.

• Food Stamp program launched for the nutrition of food-poor Filipinos. Vaccines for rubella, measles, etc., are still provided for free in healthcare centers for babies.

• Marcos: Philippines must exert its effort versus tuberculosis and HIV-AIDS.

• Healthcare system undergoing structural changes; new facilities and infrastructure also being built.

• Marcos says prices for primary medicines have gone down by 40%, with some even 90%.

• 93% of Filipinos are now covered by Philhealth.

• Dialysis is now also free for Filipinos, with Philhealth covering 196 sessions a year.

• Healthcare facilities are being built in far-flung areas.

• Benefits for frontliners during the pandemic to be given.

• Unemployment rate reduced, improved from the stats during pandemic. But gov’t is still working to provide jobs for unemployed and underemployed.

• Country formed strategic alliances with our partners in int’l community; to generate up to 175,000 jobs.

• Php 3.9 trillion have been generated by economic missions.

• PH to enter more international partnerships for better economic position — Marcos

• RCEP between ASEAN and other countries gives PH access to competitive markets of over 2 billion people.

• PH received 3 million international visitors from January to June 2023 — 62% of target for the entire year.

• Marcos wants to solidify PH as an attractive investment destination. This includes further easing of doing business in the country and structural tax reforms. Gov’t must also embrace digitalization.

• Marcos: Digitalization streamlines and improves government efficiency

• Bangko Sentral also reports 42% of all payments in 2022 were made through digital platforms; targets 50% in 2023.

• eGovPH app launched to integrate all key government services into a single and centralized app. National ID will also “fundamentally change the lives of every Filipino.” National ID also in the eGovPH app.

• Mobile app for overseas Filipino workers also launched.

• Philippines’ fixed broadband speed (as of June 2023) improved 11 places from 58th to 47th out of almost 180 countries, Marcos reports. Mobile internet speed now at 83 amout of 142, jumping from the 91st spot in 2022.

• Marcos: National Fiber Backbone, Broadband ng Masa projects to provide high-speed internet access

• Marcos: SIM Registration Act to help combat identity theft, phishing, scams

• Training provided for those who are affected by the digitalization; also included in curriculum, TESDA

• Marcos on OFW: We are engaging with our international partners to ensure safe environment for our fellow countrymen.

• Mechanisms being put in place for social welfare, repatriation, and reintegration of returning OFWs into the Philippine economy

• Overseas Filipino employment increases as the world economy reopens after the pandemic

• Bilateral labor cooperation signed in several areas like healthcare, IT, etc. with Singapore, Austria, and Alberta province in Canada

• Deployment issue in Saudi Arabia have been resolved; 70,000 Filipinos deployed for employment. Payment for Saudi workers’ unpaid claims will be made, according to Saudi Crowned Prince.

• Marcos: Education, skills of maritime workers must be attudned to global standards

• PAGIBIG fund to continue assisting members in acquiring houses

• Government also distributed 148,000 houses, 30,000 certificate of lot eligibility, and 35,000 free residential and agricultural land titles over the past year. Gov’t to give more this year, amounting to 1 million houses.

• Marcos: The economic agenda will never be incompatible with our climate change agenda

• The Philippines has learned many things from past disasters, “but we continue to be alert and be prepared,” the President said.

• Disaster response teams are being reorganized, evacuation centers are being improved to withstand “new normal of extreme weather events.” New evacuation centers are being built, with 55 now completed.

• Marcos also highlights decarbonization goals and the protection of local forestry

• PBBM: Circular economy now also being adopted with nature as our model

• Marcos on climate change: We need the help of the whole government and the populace

• BBM urges the government to enact new Government Procurement Law and Government Auditing Cide to make those attuned to changing times.

• Marawi City now being revitalized five years after the siege. New developments also completed.

• Marcos proud of BARMM’s achievement and progress; the region to be self-governing, progressive, and effective.

• “A strong and stable rule of law will strengthen tje foundation of our transformation.” — Marcos

• Armed forces and police to be modernized to be effective in maintaining peace and order and in defending the Philippines’ sovereignty.

• Marcos vows support to judiciary’s effort to improve judicial system

• Campaign against illegal drugs continues, but with “a new face;” now geared towards education, treatment and rehabilitation, and reintegration to curb drug-dependents among the citizenry. Marcos says government to relentlessly go after drug syndicates and “shut down their activities and dismantle their network of operations.”

• Marcos: Unscrupulous law enforcers and others involved in the drug trade have been exposed. I will be accepting their resignations.

• PBBM: We cannot tolerate corruption or incompetence in the government

• Marcos to issue proclamation that will grant amnesty to “rebel returnees” and asks Congress for support.

• “We will protect our sovereign rights and preserve our territorial integrity in defense of a rules-based international order.” — President Marcos

• “It took a whole of nation approach to recover from this pandemic slump.” — Marcos

• Marcos lists down his priority bills before the Congress, to which he urges both houses to pass

• Excise tax on single-use plastics
• VAT on digital services
• Rationalization of mining fiscal regime
• Motor vehicle users charge / Road Tax
• Military and uniformed personnel Pension Act
• Amendment of Fisheries Code
• Amendment of Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act
• Amendment of Cooperative Code
• New Government Procurement Law
• New Government Auditing Code
• Anti-Financial Account Scamming
• ‘Tatak Pinoy’ Law
• Blue Economy Law
• Ease of Paying Taxes
• LGU income classification
• Philippine Immigration Act

• Marcos says that “it has been a source of great hope that there is an enormous pool of highly competent workers in government.”

• Marcos ends his speech by saying “the state of the nation is sound and improving. Dumating na ang Bagong Pilipinas.”

• Marcos began his speech at 4:07 pm and ended at 5:17 pm. His second SONA ran for 70 minutes or an hour and ten minutes.