PBBM’s fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 28 prioritized education, agriculture, health, transportation sectors, and condemned corruption in flood control. However, other issues were left out: What is the status of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial? Will the country re-enter the ICC? Are there plans to regulate online gambling and e-wallet apps? When will the President sign the ₱200 wage hike bill?

Education

President Marcos Jr. stated that education remains the top priority until the end of his term. This year, he mentioned the launch of the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) Program to support learners struggling in reading, math, and science while also strengthening Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) services for children under five years old. 

In a move to address students’ mental health needs, the administration is expanding the number of school counselors in public schools. On top of these, he promised to construct 40,000 classrooms, with ₱1 billion allocation for construction of child centers nationwide.

Agriculture

The ₱20-per-kilo rice campaign promise was again brought up in his SONA. “Sa mga nagtatanong kung nasaan na ang bente pesos na bigas? Napatunayan na natin na kaya na natin ang bente pesos sa bawat kilo ng bigas na hindi malulugi ang ating magsasaka,” Marcos said. However, the subsidy remains limited to vulnerable groups such as low-income families, senior citizens, solo parents, and persons with disabilities.

Mario Satulan, a farmer who has never sold his rice to the National Food Authority (NFA), told Inquirer that traders might lower their buying prices just to match the government’s ₱20-per-kilo target. He asked the government to really look at the producers who are making the food.

In the address, Marcos Jr. warned traders against manipulating crop prices or taking advantage of farmers, “Hahabulin namin kayo dahil ang trato namin sa inyong ginagawa ay tinuturing naming economic sabotage.”

In addition, he mentioned that the government is boosting local production by distributing piglets and hens, and building bio-secured facilities as a primary solution to the rising cost of pork, while vaccination efforts against African Swine Fever (ASF) have also begun and will soon extend across the country.

Marcos Jr. shared that more than 8.5 million farmers and fisherfolk have received aid since the start of his term. “Tiyak na magiging kanila na nang tuluyan ang mga lupang sinasaka nila,” he vowed. However, data by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) in January 2025 states that only 21.8% out of the 19.68 million persons own or have rights to their farmland.

Health

“Itinuloy na po natin ang zero balance billing. Libre po [...] Ibig sabihin, ang serbisyo sa basic accommodation sa ating mga DOH na ospital ay libre na, kaya wala nang kailangang bayaran ang mga pasyente dahil natanggap na natin ang mga bayarin para sa kanila,” the President announced.

Additionally, the expanded health services covered by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) now include free surgeries for heart attacks and valve operations, free dialysis sessions up to three times a week throughout the year, and free medications.

Cancer patients now have access to the Cancer Assistance Fund and HPV vaccines for various types of cancer; kidney transplant support and medication budget have been raised from ₱600,000 to ₱2.1 million; coverage for children with dengue now amounts to P47,000; and the budget for cataract surgeries has increased for P16,000 up to P87,000. Moreover, post-transplant care, including medication, will also be covered, along with outpatient care such as therapy, rehabilitation, and medication for PWDs.

Disaster response

While President Marcos Jr. acknowledged the typhoons that recently hit the country and the 12 more that are expected to hit before December, his response focused on post-disaster efforts rather than long-term solutions that would make typhoons less devastating. He mentioned the plans to build more evacuation centers and highlighted DOST’s forecasting technology, mobile command and control vehicles that were used by 11 LGUs to support response operations.

He discussed the corruption in infrastructure efforts, particularly in flood control, stating, “Kitang-kita ko na maraming proyekto sa flood control ay palpak at gumuho, at ‘yung iba ay guni-guni lang,” then ordered the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to “immediately submit” a list of all flood control projects started or completed in the past three years, which will undergo review by the Regional Project Monitoring Committee and be made public.

“In the coming months, those found liable, including contractors, will face charges,” he stated, along with the return of proposed general appropriations bill that is not fully aligned with the national expenditure program. 

Transportation

The recent 50% discount on train fares was highlighted alongside the launch of the “Pamilya Pass 1+3” promo, which allows families to save on Sunday rides. 

Three out of 48 Dalian trains are now operational on the MRT, said Marcos Jr., with the remaining to operate in the following years. Before the year ends, he announced the commencement of operations of the Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge; repairs are underway on the PNR Bicol Line rails and Binahan Bridge, and its eventual expansion from Rahay, Camarines Sur to Tagkawayan, Quezon.

In 2026, the extension of the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) from Santo Tomas, Batangas to Tiaong, Quezon is expected to open; the Nalil–Sikkiat Bridge in Tawi-Tawi was set to open in July 2025, with no confirmation on whether the bridge is already open. Lastly, the Mindanao Transport Connectivity Improvement Project will proceed, including the rehabilitation of the Guadalupe Bridge. 

The 'Love Bus' initiated by former dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr. will also be revived and offered for free.

What he left out

As the SONA ended with more promises, Filipinos were left wondering about the proceeding of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial, as the Supreme Court, in June 2025, unanimously dismissed the impeachment complaints, citing the one-year bar rule of the 1987 Constitution, which prohibits impeachment proceedings from being initiated against the same official more than once within a period of one year.

With the upcoming confirmation of charges on Sept. 23 by the International Criminal Court against former President Rodrigo Duterte, Filipinos question the stance of the administration on the possibility of rejoining the ICC.

The luring market of online gambling was also set aside in the address, with e-casinos having more revenues than physical casinos as per data from Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR)

The cries of laborers continue as there was no mention of increase in wage, with the bill stuck between the House and the Senate, who must convene in a bicameral conference to consolidate before submitting the finalized bill to the President for approval.

This SONA brought developments, but also added more promises. Beyond the address, the government must act now to respond to the questions left unanswered and prioritize sectors that need urgent progress.