Senator Joel Villanueva said he is raring to hear from President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s his plans for the country’s vast workers in his first State of the Nation Address (SONA).

Villanueva said he wants to hear from the President in particular his plans for workers—from job creation to ensuring their welfare, livelihood and income.

“Interesado rin po tayong malaman ang kanyang mga plano para sa edukasyon at training na magbubukas ng oportunidad para sa mga Pilipino na magkaroon ng matiwasay na pamumuhay (We are also interested to know his plans for education and training that would open job opportunities for Filipinos so they live a better life),” VIllanueva.

Villanueva also said it is important to know the President’s views about being part of the international community.

“Malaking factor po ang international affairs lalo na sa isyu gaya ng pandemya at pagtaas ng presyo ng langis, at importante ang relasyon natin sa ibang bansa pagdating sa usapin ng (International affairs is a huge factor especially on the issue of the Covid-19 pandemic and the rising prices of oil, and our relations with other nations is also important in terms of) international trade and security,” Villanueva said.

“Mahalaga rin po itong marinig ng ating mga OFW, lalo na sa pagsisimula ng operasyon ng Department of Migrant Workers (Our overseas Filipino workers need this as the Department of Migrant Workers will soon start operations),” he said.

“Ilan lamang po ito sa mga nais nating marinig sa SONA sapagkat nais po nating malaman kung paano po makikipagtulungan ang lehislatura at ang ehekutibo, lalo na sa ating adbokasiya ng trabaho (These are just some of the things I want to hear during his SONA because we want to know how the legislative and executive department can work together, especially in our advocacies on labor),” Villanueva stressed.

Meanwhile, returning Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero said he hopes President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. would be candid about the true state of the nation in his first State of the Nation Address (SONA).

“In every SONA that I attend, I expect that the President will state, with frankness and candidness, number one, the true and current state of our nation,” Escudero said.

The senator also said he hopes to hear the Marcos administration’s plans and programs for the ensuing year.

He also said Marcos should in his first SONA, “inform Congress about his legislative agenda for the coming year until his next SONA in 2023.”