President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. said his long-standing campaign promise of bringing rice prices down to P20 per kilo will be realized within his term, citing the pilot launch of his program.
Delivering his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, July 28, Marcos said he has proven that the P20 per kilo rice is possible without sacrificing the earnings of local farmers, promising to expand it further under the Department of Agriculture.
During his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA), President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. vowed to fix inefficient water systems after learning that six million people have been affected by poor water service.
“Nakita ko na ang report,” Marcos said. (I have seen the report.)
He said the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) is now taking action.
Aware of the criticism his administration has garnered for the constant flooding during the wet season, Marcos admits corruption in the implementation of flood control projects, including "kickbacks, SOPs."
He says his administration will audit and check all flood control projects.
Huwag na tayo magkunwari. Alam ng buong madla na nagkakaraket sa mga proyekto.
Kaya sa nakikipagsabwatan para nakawin ang pondo ng bayan, mahiya naman kayo sainyong kapwa Pilipino.
Marcos' remarks draw cheers and prompts a standing ovation from several audience members.
He orders the DPWH to submit a list of all flood projects in the past three years, since his presidency started. He says this will be publicized.
Those guilty of taking kickbacks, creating insertions and committing irregularities in flood control projects will face charges, Marcos adds.
CONTEXT: It is the executive branch — namely the Department of Budget and Management — that submits the initial national budget that Congress deliberates on every year. The president also has the final approval of the annual budget.
Marcos is striking a notably restrained tone on sovereignty issues in his fourth SONA, saying the country will exercise "patience and restraint" while monitoring its territory and calling the Philippines "a friend to all, enemy to none" ahead of hosting the 2026 ASEAN Summit.
This is much more diplomatic language compared to Marcos' 2024 SONA, where he was far more defiant on the West Philippine Sea, declaring "The Philippines cannot yield. The Philippines cannot waver" and stating emphatically: "Ang West Philippine Sea ay hindi isang kathang-isip natin lamang. Ito ay atin. At ito ay mananatiling atin (The West Philippine Sea is not a figment of our imagination. It is ours. And it will remain ours)."
Marcos vows to hunt down syndicates behind the disappearances of cockfighting enthusiasts or sabungeros, promising that "no one is above the law" whether they're powerful, wealthy, or well-connected.
Nagtutulungan ang buong pamahalaan para lutasin ang mga kaso ng mga nawawala dahil sa walang pakundangang kagagawan ng mga sindikato sa likod ng madilim na mundo ng mga sabungan. Hahabulin at pananagutin natin ang mga utak at ang sangkot, sibilyan man o opisyal. Kahit malakas, mabigat, o mayaman, hindi sila mangi-ngibabaw sa batas. Higit sa lahat, ipaparamdam natin sa mga salarin ang bigat ng parusa sa karumal-dumal na krimen na mga ito.
Despite claims that crime is dropping, Marcos admitted public anxiety remains high — especially among crime victims — and noted that families continue demanding answers about loved ones who vanished after getting involved in illegal cockfighting operations.
His tough talk comes as pressure mounts over unresolved missing persons cases tied to underground gambling networks.
No mention so far of how his administration plans to address illegal gambling.
Marcos promises to connect all public schools to the internet by end-2025, acknowledging the slow progress despite years of efforts to expand access to digital connectivity.
Marcos announces that the long-delayed Dalian train cars purchased in 2014 are finally being deployed on the MRT system, with three coaches already operational and more coming by year-end.
The 48 additional train cars had been sitting unused for a decade, representing what Marcos called a waste of money and time, but he says his administration has now resolved the technical and operational issues that prevented their deployment.
Marcos promised that several of the remaining 45 coaches will be operational before 2025 ends, with the rest following in 2026.
"We're establishing a zero-balance billing."
Fees in public hospitals will be free and paid for in Department of Health hospitals, Marcos declares.
The president vowed an expanded sports program across the country, giving special note of Filipino Olympians and champions on the world stage.
"Magbubuhos tayo ng todo suporta sa mga palaro at mga atleta sa buong bansa. Halimbawa, ang Palarong Pambansa... Bubuo tayo ng bagong pambansang programa para sa sports development. Ibabalik natin ang mga sports club at magsasagawa tayo ng mga palaro at mga intrams sa lahat ng pampublikong paaralan."
The administration has pushed for expanded universal healthcare but has made no mention of a major sports program. The SONA declaration marks a shift of direction.