For first Sona, Ejercito urges Marcos to focus on economic recovery, pandemic response

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (INQUIRER PHOTO)

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Joseph Victor “JV”  Ejercito on Monday urged President Ferdinand “Bongbong”  Marcos Jr. to focus on his plans for economic recovery and pandemic response in his first State of the Nation Address (Sona).

Ejercito said he hopes to “hear some specifics on the direction he wants to take for the country. His inauguration speech was inspiring, but his Sona needs to flesh out the details of his plan to address the challenges we face,” Ejercito said in a statement.

“He needs to come up with a plan that balances the need to protect our people from the current and future pandemic and the urgency of reviving our economy in the face of mounting debt, external pressures, and inflation,” he added.

In terms of the economy, Ejercito said Marcos should discuss a comprehensive economic plan “that will go beyond proposals to raise existing taxes and levy new ones. There have been talks about raising taxes. However, this cannot be a stand-alone plan; rather, it should be part of a comprehensive economic blueprint that I hope will be discussed in the Sona,” Ejercito said.

Meanwhile, Ejercito stressed a need to anchor the pandemic response to the Universal Healthcare Law, which he principally sponsored.

Ejercito earlier refiled an amendment seeking to adjust current PhilHealth contribution schemes.

“In fighting the pandemic, I hope the President anchors his strategy on the effective implementation of the Universal Health Care law so we can strengthen our healthcare system and provide our people with affordable and accessible healthcare,” Ejercito said.

On infrastructure, agriculture

Ejercito likewise expressed hopes that Marcos will discuss his plans to strengthen the Build, Build, Build program.

“The President has promised during the campaign that he will improve former President Duterte’s Build, Build Build program. In the Sona, I hope he unveils his infrastructure development program,” Ejercito said.

Further, the senator said the infrastructure development program must include projects that will modernize the transportation system, strengthen tourism, and allow efficient movement of people and goods in the country.

The senator also called on Marcos to elaborate on his plan for food security amidst the impending food crisis in the country.

“There have been suggestions to the effect that the government should declare a State of Agricultural Emergency to allow the government to address the impending food crisis,” he said.

“In principle, I am amenable to this but only if such is part of a comprehensive plan to ensure food security and there is legislative oversight,” he added. — Andy Hoo, INQUIRER.net, trainee

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