Makati City Mayor Abby Binay on Tuesday, July 23, lauded President Marcos' State of the Nation Address (SONA), particularly the government's response to climate change and the banning of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) in the country.

Makati 2nd District Rep. Luis Campos, Makati Mayor Abby Binay walk the red carpet at the third State of the Nation Address of President Marcos at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City on Monday, July 22, 2024. (Arnold Quizol)

Binay, together with her husband, Makati 2nd District Rep. Luis Campos, attended the Prsident's SONA at the House of Representatives on July 22. 

"The President’s SONA shows us how far we have come in terms of improving the social and economic conditions of the people and where the President intends to bring the country," Binay said.

"I salute the President for acknowledging at the start of his speech the urgent concern of our people. Hinarap nya ang isyu, inilahad ang mga nagawa na nya sa loob ng dalawang taon, at ang mga susunod na hakbang (I salute the President for acknowledging at the start of his speech the urgent concern of our people. He faced the issues, laid out his accomplishments in the past two years, and proudly delivered what will be his next steps)," she added.

The mayor particularly lauded the President's plans regarding climate change and ensuring the country's food security.

"Isa sa mga napapanahong hamon na tinalakay ng Presidente ay ang climate change. Balewala ang mga pagsisikap sa food security at productivity ng ating mga magsasaka kung hindi mahaharap ang hamon ng climate change. With the Philippines hosting the Loss and Damage Fund, the President has underscored the need for global solidarity in assisting vulnerable countries rebuild and recover (One of the current challenges the President tackled was climate change. All our farmers' efforts and initiatives regarding food security and productivity will be for nothing if the issue about climate change will not be addressed. With the Philippines' hosting of the Loss and Damage Fund, the President has underscored the need for global solidarity in assisting vulnerable countries rebuild and recover)," Binay explained.

"Umaasa ako na mabibigyan ng access ang ating mga local government sa Loss and Damage Fund na ating isinulong noong tayo ay dumalo sa COP 28 sa Dubai bilang myembro ng advisory council ni COP president Dr. Sultan Al Jaber (I am hoping that our local governments will be given access to the Loss and Damage Fund that we were pushing for when we attended COP 28 in Dubai as a member of the COP president Dr. Sultan Al Jaber's advisory council)," she added.

Established through a decision of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) and the Paris Agreement, the fund aims to assist developing countries, particularly those vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change, in responding to economic and non-economic loss and damage associated with climate change, including extreme weather and slow-onset events.

The President's decision to ban POGOs in the country was also well received not just by the members of the government but also the public, with Binay calling it "an audacious move."

"The decision to ban POGOs is an audacious move. It is an exercise of political will in addressing a long-festering problem, and it falls upon the concerned agencies of government to make sure that the order is carried out and the necessary steps and policies are taken to mitigate its impact on jobs and livelihood," the local chief said.

"I am confident that with his leadership and vision, and with the support of the people, things can only get better in the coming years; better health care, better working conditions, better education, better social services, and a better economy that will benefit all Filipinos," Binay stressed.