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