A quick look at other Sona highlights

Screenshot from RTVM/LIVE

MANILA, Philippines — Here are the other highlights of the issues discussed in President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s third State of the Nation Address (Sona).

READ: FULL SPEECH: Bongbong Marcos’ State of the Nation Address

• Legislative wish for the proposed national budget to be approved promptly and adhered to as closely as possible following an increased budget, especially in health and education

• Implement pre-border technical verification and cross-border electronic invoices of import commodities

• Kadiwa centers will continue operations and more will be added across the nation

• Irrigation dams will supplement all bulk water projects to ensure water security

• Phases 2 and 3 of the National Fiber Backbone project will commence this year and be completed by 2026

• Unified Philippine Grid connecting the power grids of all three major island groups

• Congress asked to check if Epira (Electric Power Industry Reform Act) needs revision to fit the country’s current power industry situation

• Build more specialty hospitals and “Super Health Centers” in local government units

• Each province will be provided with a mobile clinic in the future to provide people with easier access to laboratory exams and other medical services

• Walang Gutom Program 2027 will be rolled out to over 300,000 food-poor households by the end of this year

• Launching of DOH’s comprehensive mental health plan

• Production of textbooks will be cut short from three years to one year to ensure that instructional materials are error-free and up-to-date

• DepEd, CHEd, Dole and Tesda join forces to incorporate Technical-Vocational Education and Training in school curricula to boost student employability

• Implementation of PH eVisa will be next in the digital transformation agenda

• “Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo” Act signed into law, to provide public school teachers with an annual teaching allowance starting from 2025

• Upskilling teachers at the forefront of national learning recovery, including an expanded system for teacher development

• Special Hardship Allowance and Personal Accident Insurance from the Government Service Insurance System for public school teachers

• Scholarships and research and development grants will continue to be made available to support start-ups

• 350 air and seaport development projects set to be completed by 2028

• Technical and professional-level training courses in cybersecurity and creative industries will be launched

• Promote experiential tourism to boost the country’s tourism industry —compiled by Inquirer Research