Metro Manila, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. reported to the nation the progress and achievements of his administration from the previous year.

Marcos was at the Batasang Pambansa on Monday, July 22, to deliver his State of the Nation Address (SONA) before a joint session of Congress, laying down instructions to his Cabinet and his agenda to Congress.

The president faced declining trust and approval scores in a recent Pulse Asia survey ahead of the annual address.

Political analyst Cleve Arguelles told NewsWatch Plus the SONA was more in step with realities facing the country.

“In the previous address, he was quite confident to say you have elected me and the new Philippines is coming,” Arguelles said post-SONA. “But now we’re actually hearing the challenges and problems. He’s very aware that he cannot really just talk about the accomplishments of the administration without responding to unaddressed…issues.”

NewsWatch Plus summarizes some of the highlights in this year’s speech.

Banning POGO

Marcos categorically announced a ban on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) effective July 22, with a directive to the gaming regulator to see to it that their operations wind down until the year-end.

It capped multisectoral calls — even from among his official family and political allies  to do away with online gambling and its negative impact on society.

It also came on the heels of a Senate probe on a controversial online gambling group in Bamban, Tarlac, that progressed to issues of the town mayor’s citizenship and security matters.

READ: Marcos bans all POGOs in SONA 2024

Online gaming in the form of POGOs began during the Duterte administration. On the other hand, for Marcos, the “social ills” associated with POGOs weighed more than possible revenue losses should they be banned.

“I think the president is really trying to carve out the political space to oppose the Duterte family,” political scientist Robin Michael Garcia told NewsWatch Plus. “It's also connected to being tough on China.”

Sen. Risa Hontiveros, who is leading the Senate inquiry on illegal POGO operations, welcomed the ban.

West PH Sea not a figment of imagination

Marcos reaffirmed the country’s rights in the West Philippine Sea amid Chinese aggression in the disputed waterway.

He said the Philippines cannot “yield” and “waver” as he noted efforts to de-escalate tensions in the West Philippine Sea.

“Ang West Philippine Sea ay hindi kathang-isip natin lamang. Ito ay atin, at ito ay mananatiling atin hangga’t nag-aalab ang diwa ng ating minamahal na bansang Pilipinas,” Marcos said to a standing ovation from lawmakers and the gallery.

[Translation: The West Philippine Sea is not just a figment of our imagination. It is ours, and it will remain as long as the spirit of our beloved Philippines continues to burn.]

The commander-in-chief thanked the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine Coast Guard, and fishermen of the West Philippine Sea for their surveillance and sacrifices.

Marcos’ pronouncement came a day after Manila and Beijing announced a provisional agreement for resupply and rotation missions to the Ayungin Shoal where a Philippine Navy ship has been grounded and serves as a military outpost to stake the country’s territorial rights in the area.

READ: PH, China agree on resupply mission deal to Ayungin Shoal — DFA 

Agriculture woes

Marcos began his speech by admitting costly rice prices. He promised during the campaign to bring down the price of the staple to ₱20 per kilogram, but consumers have been shelling out more than twice the amount.

“The hard lesson of this last year has made it very clear that whatever current data proudly bannering our country as among the best-performing in Asia, means nothing to a Filipino, who is confronted by the price of rice at ₱45 to ₱65 per kilo,” he said.

Marcos said the record harvest of over 20 million tons of the grain in 2023 was still insufficient, forcing the government to import.

Many agricultural groups have criticized the chief executive for reducing tariffs on imported rice to the detriment of farmers.

Marcos vowed continued support to local farmers and fisherfolk. He also said Kadiwa centers, where the government is selling subsidized rice to the poor, will continue as a matter of course.

‘Bloodless’ war on drugs

Marcos touted his “bloodless” war on drugs, noting that “extermination” is not included in the strategy.

He said more than 97,000 drug offenders have been arrested in about 71,500 operations, resulting in the confiscation of over P44 billion in illegal drugs.

Of those arrested, around 440 are government employees, including uniformed personnel and officials.

“So to further paralyze their operations, dirty money and assets worth more than P500 million have been frozen and preserved. With strong case build-up and efficient prosecution, the drug conviction rate is at a high of seventy-nine percent,” said Marcos.

‘Railway renaissance’

The president also reported on developments in the transportation system.

“We are in the midst of a railway renaissance,” he said.

Marcos reported that the 100-kilometer Philippine National Railways Bicol Line, which runs from Naga to Legazpi cities, has resumed operation.

In Metro Manila, commuters may soon travel from Baclaran to Sucat through the Light Rail Transit Line 1 Cavite Extension which will open this year, the president said. The whole line, which will reach up to Bacoor in Cavite, is expected to be completed in the following years.

As for the Manila Subway Project, tunneling works are underway which has three- to six-floor-deep digging.

The president also noted that works for the Metro Rail Transit Line 7 and the North-South Commuter Railway are also moving, noting that right-of-way issues will be addressed.

Improving education quality

While calling on new Education Secretary Sonny Angara to improve the quality of basic education as soon as possible, Marcos also pushed for reform through technology.

“We are working towards the day when all students will be equipped with computers, smart TVs, essential programs, digital books — and once again, access to reliable power and the Internet,” he said.

He also vowed to shorten the textbook procurement and delivery process from three years to just one year.

“The production of instructional materials, especially textbooks, which are up-to-date and error-free, must be ensured,” he said.

Marcos also recognized that the “quality of our education rests on the quality of our teachers,” adding that the government must make sure teachers are protected and well taken care of.

He highlighted the allocation of funds for implementing the expanded career progression system for public school teachers.

“With this system in place, we will accelerate the career growth of teachers. Sa sistemang ito, wala nang public school teacher ang magre-retire na Teacher 1 lamang,” the president said.

[Translation: With this system, no public school teacher will retire at just Teacher 1 level.]