Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada said on Sunday, July 21 that he hopes to hear President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. tackle the issue regarding the daily minimum wage increase in his third State of the Nation Address (SONA).

“Sa darating na ikatlong State of the Nation Address ni Pangulong Marcos Jr., umaasa ako na kanyang matatalakay ang ilan sa mga mahahalagang isyu na lubos na may kinalaman sa masang Pilipino (In the coming third State of the Nation Address of President Marcos Jr., I hope that he will discuss some of the important issues that are very relevant to the Filipino masses),” Estrada said in a statement.

“Una na rito ang usapin ng wage hike. Kailangang matiyak ng pamahalaan na ang bawat Pilipino ay may sapat na sahod para maging maayos ang kanilang pamumuhay (First here is the issue of the wage hike. The government needs to ensure that every Filipino has enough wages to live well),” the senator added. 

At the same time, Estrada said he also hopes to hear the President mention about expanding social benefits for every Filipino, particularly programs in education, health and other social services.

“Kailangan nating tiyakin na ang bawat Pilipino, lalo na ang mga mahihirap at walang kakayahang pinansyal, ay may access sa mga serbisyong ito. Kaakibat ng dalawang isyu na ito ay ang usapin ng ‘inflation’ (We need to make sure that every Filipino, especially the poor and those without financial ability, have access to these services. Associated with these two issues is the issue of inflation),” he said. 

Since the current workers' wages are not adequate to keep up with the rapid increase in commodity prices, Estrada said he wishes to hear from the President what his administration’s programs are that would provide protection to workers and the economy. 

At the same time, Estrada said he also expects to hear the government intensifying measures to defend the country’s sovereignty and territorial rights, especially in the matter of the West Philippine Sea. 

“Mahalaga na mapanatili natin ang kapayapaan at kaayusan sa rehiyon habang ipinaglalaban natin ang ating mga interes (It is important that we maintain peace and order in the region while we fight for our interests),” he said.

“Sa kabuuan, umaasa ako na sa darating na SONA ay mabibigyan ng malinaw na direksyon ang ating bansa sa harap ng mga hamon at oportunidad na ating kinakaharap. Ang pag-unlad ng ating bansa ay nakasalalay sa pagtugon sa  mahahalagang alalahanin na ito (In sum, I hope that in the upcoming SONA our country will be given a clear direction in the face of the challenges and opportunities we are facing. Our country's progress depends on addressing these important concerns),” the lawmaker emphasized.