Posted: July 26, 2023
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. delivered his second State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the Batasang Pambansa on 24 July 2023. In his speech, President Marcos declared that the state of the nation is sound and improving and stressed that the Philippines is still among the fastest-growing economies in the world. He emphasized partial victory from the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic while acknowledging that challenges remain in a number of areas, including inflation. The President also issued a stern warning against individuals driving up prices of basic commodities.
President Marcos, who concurrently serves as the Agriculture Secretary, vowed to help both farmers and consumers by going after agricultural smugglers, hoarders, and price fixers.
President Marcos also noted his recent approval of the New Agrarian Emancipation Act, which writes off the loans of agrarian reform beneficiaries.
He discussed the government’s push to increase the country’s energy production and promote renewable sources. He also informed the public that his administration targets to raise the share of renewable energy in the power generation mix to 35% by 2030, and then 50% by 2040.
The President likewise emphasized that the campaign against drugs continues but has taken on a new face which is geared more towards treatment and rehabilitation. The Commander in Chief also said that he will accept the resignations of law enforcers and other officials involved in the drug trade and that he will not tolerate corruption or incompetence in his administration.
President Marcos concluded his speech by pursuading the lawmakers to pass priority legislations of his Administration. Among those are the proposed tax reforms, amendments to the Fisheries Code, the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act, and the Cooperative Code, and the proposed reforms to the pension system of the military and uniformed personnel.
Officials and officers of the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office (PLLO) participated and assisted cabinet and other government officials during the said event.
