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SONA 2023: Senators want to hear a realistic report, concrete plans for PH progress from PBBM
Philippines
National
SONA 2023: Senators want to hear a realistic report, concrete plans for PH progress from PBBM
SONA 2023: Senators want to hear a realistic report, concrete plans for PH progress from PBBM
Published Jul 23, 2023 06:51 am
As the nation gears up to hear President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. deliver his second State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, July 24, Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go hopes to hear the country’s leader highlight concrete steps towards a path of inclusive economic recovery.
Senate of the Philippines building (Photo by Ali Vicoy/MB)
“Nais ko pong marinig sa ating mahal na Pangulo sa kanyang ikalawang SONA ang mga (I wish to hear from the President’s second SONA all his) additional plans niya po for our full and inclusive economic recovery,” Go said in an interview.
“Dapat po ay walang maiwan na Pilipino lalo na po ang mga mahihirap nating kababayan. Dapat po walang magutom. Importante po ang laman ng tiyan at trabaho po para sa bawat Pilipino (No Filipino should be left behind, especially our poor fellowmen. No one should go hungry. It’s important that every Filipino has food on the table and has a job),” he said.
Go cited that the Covid-19 pandemic brought about unparalleled challenges to the nation's economy, leading to widespread unemployment, business closures, and disruptions in livelihoods.
But with the second SONA approaching, the senator said he is optimistic that President Marcos will use this platform to underscore his commitment to uphold the administration’s eight-point Philippine Development Plan, which includes food security, supply chain management, energy costs, healthcare and social protection, infrastructure development, green economy, market competition, and entrepreneurship.
Go also said ensuring food security for all Filipinos remains a top priority of the Marcos Administration. Likewise, he said, he also supports the government’s plan to strengthen local supply chains.
At the same time, as chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Go highlighted the importance of robust infrastructure development as a key driver of economic growth and job creation.
Go said he will support the administration’s continued investments in infrastructure projects that improve connectivity, transportation, and overall accessibility as these initiatives will not only enhance the country's economic competitiveness, but also open new opportunities for businesses and industries to thrive.
Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero also said the President “deserves his victory lap as there are good things to be happy about.”
Escudero also said it is about time the President delivers a report that would be an eye-opener, saying he believes Filipinos “can handle the truth.”
“The President deserves his victory lap as there are good things to be happy about, but he must end it with a pep talk that must rally the people to steel themselves for the hard work ahead,” Escudero said in a statement.
“A SONA cannot be all happy pills that sugar coat the painful, but must include some bitter medicine to be swallowed, for the nation to be healed of its many problems. A predictable SONA is a feel good recital of achievements,” he added.
“Pero ang kailangan natin ngayon ay isang SONA na nagmumulat at nanggugulat (But what we need right now is a SONA that is realistic and jolts us) by shocking us about the great problems that we face, surprise us with the bold solutions, and scare us about the price of inaction,” he said.
Escudero said the public is aware that a President’s SONA that only highlights the good news does not portray the whole truth.
“Because for every Filipino who lands a job, many more remain unemployed. For every business that opens, many entrepreneurial plans remain as dreams. For every hospital ward added, many more patients cram overflowing emergency rooms. For every infrastructure built, there is a great backlog behind it,” he said.
“Tomorrow’s SONA must, therefore, balance the ‘what has been done’ with the more important (question) ‘what is to be done?’” he pointed out.
Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III said Filipinos deserve “unfiltered truth” during Marcos’ SONA, saying he hopes the President would do away with sugarcoating or glossing over the harsh realities facing the entire nation.
“During the President’s SONA, it is my hope that he will discuss the real situation of the Filipino People at the household level,” Pimentel said in a statement.
“The cost of living is very high. The income of the typical Filipino family is not enough for their basic needs and for their decent existence as a family of human beings. Those who are employed are not paid ‘living wages.’ Many are unemployed and many more are underemployed,” the minority leader lamented.
“The Philippines faces a lot of problems and challenges. The Filipino People have different difficulties and varied interests. (So) we need to get our acts together as problem-solvers. We need to act in good faith out of love for country. We need to want a just, fair, and safe society,” he stressed.
After the plenary session in the morning for the opening of the 19th Congress’ Second Regular Session, the senators will proceed to the House of Representatives for a joint session of Congress and attend the President’s second SONA.
Senate of the Philippines building (Photo by Ali Vicoy/MB)
“Nais ko pong marinig sa ating mahal na Pangulo sa kanyang ikalawang SONA ang mga (I wish to hear from the President’s second SONA all his) additional plans niya po for our full and inclusive economic recovery,” Go said in an interview.
“Dapat po ay walang maiwan na Pilipino lalo na po ang mga mahihirap nating kababayan. Dapat po walang magutom. Importante po ang laman ng tiyan at trabaho po para sa bawat Pilipino (No Filipino should be left behind, especially our poor fellowmen. No one should go hungry. It’s important that every Filipino has food on the table and has a job),” he said.
Go cited that the Covid-19 pandemic brought about unparalleled challenges to the nation's economy, leading to widespread unemployment, business closures, and disruptions in livelihoods.
But with the second SONA approaching, the senator said he is optimistic that President Marcos will use this platform to underscore his commitment to uphold the administration’s eight-point Philippine Development Plan, which includes food security, supply chain management, energy costs, healthcare and social protection, infrastructure development, green economy, market competition, and entrepreneurship.
Go also said ensuring food security for all Filipinos remains a top priority of the Marcos Administration. Likewise, he said, he also supports the government’s plan to strengthen local supply chains.
At the same time, as chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Go highlighted the importance of robust infrastructure development as a key driver of economic growth and job creation.
Go said he will support the administration’s continued investments in infrastructure projects that improve connectivity, transportation, and overall accessibility as these initiatives will not only enhance the country's economic competitiveness, but also open new opportunities for businesses and industries to thrive.
Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero also said the President “deserves his victory lap as there are good things to be happy about.”
Escudero also said it is about time the President delivers a report that would be an eye-opener, saying he believes Filipinos “can handle the truth.”
“The President deserves his victory lap as there are good things to be happy about, but he must end it with a pep talk that must rally the people to steel themselves for the hard work ahead,” Escudero said in a statement.
“A SONA cannot be all happy pills that sugar coat the painful, but must include some bitter medicine to be swallowed, for the nation to be healed of its many problems. A predictable SONA is a feel good recital of achievements,” he added.
“Pero ang kailangan natin ngayon ay isang SONA na nagmumulat at nanggugulat (But what we need right now is a SONA that is realistic and jolts us) by shocking us about the great problems that we face, surprise us with the bold solutions, and scare us about the price of inaction,” he said.
Escudero said the public is aware that a President’s SONA that only highlights the good news does not portray the whole truth.
“Because for every Filipino who lands a job, many more remain unemployed. For every business that opens, many entrepreneurial plans remain as dreams. For every hospital ward added, many more patients cram overflowing emergency rooms. For every infrastructure built, there is a great backlog behind it,” he said.
“Tomorrow’s SONA must, therefore, balance the ‘what has been done’ with the more important (question) ‘what is to be done?’” he pointed out.
Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III said Filipinos deserve “unfiltered truth” during Marcos’ SONA, saying he hopes the President would do away with sugarcoating or glossing over the harsh realities facing the entire nation.
“During the President’s SONA, it is my hope that he will discuss the real situation of the Filipino People at the household level,” Pimentel said in a statement.
“The cost of living is very high. The income of the typical Filipino family is not enough for their basic needs and for their decent existence as a family of human beings. Those who are employed are not paid ‘living wages.’ Many are unemployed and many more are underemployed,” the minority leader lamented.
“The Philippines faces a lot of problems and challenges. The Filipino People have different difficulties and varied interests. (So) we need to get our acts together as problem-solvers. We need to act in good faith out of love for country. We need to want a just, fair, and safe society,” he stressed.
After the plenary session in the morning for the opening of the 19th Congress’ Second Regular Session, the senators will proceed to the House of Representatives for a joint session of Congress and attend the President’s second SONA.