MANILA, Philippines — Every president’s State of the Nation Address carries a defining theme and message. For President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the 2024 Sona’s highlight was the bold Pogo ban, a decision that surprised many and received wide applause. The four-word keyphrase “State of the Nation Address” echoes through the promises he made and the actions that followed.
Previous administrations had their own defining moments in their State of the Nation Address. The late President Benigno Aquino III focused on the spirit that “the Filipino is worth fighting for,” while former President Rodrigo Duterte stirred debate by prioritizing human lives over human rights in 2018. Marcos Jr., meanwhile, made headlines by declaring a ban on all Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (Pogo), citing their harm to the Filipino people.
State of the Nation Address: The Pogo Ban
Marcos formalized the Pogo ban with Executive Order No. 74 in November 2024, grounding the decision on national security and public order concerns. This followed raids in Central Luzon, where authorities uncovered human trafficking and abuse linked to Pogo operations. In Pampanga, 186 workers were rescued, many subjected to torture and exploitation. Similarly, in Tarlac, nearly 900 workers were freed from unsafe conditions.
Despite the ban, the problem did not vanish right away. Over 9,800 Pogo workers remained unaccounted for, according to the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission. This led lawmakers to urge unified government action to locate thousands still involved in illegal Pogo activities.
Infrastructure Upgrades in State of the Nation Address
Marcos also promised major improvements to airports and transportation. He highlighted that the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) would increase capacity to handle 48 flights per hour and more than 62 million passengers annually. Over 70 airport and seaport projects have been completed nationwide, with hundreds more underway, expected to finish by 2028.
However, safety concerns emerged less than a year after privatization of NAIA. A tragic accident at Terminal 1’s drop-off zone, where steel bollards failed to stop a vehicle, resulted in two deaths. Officials vowed to investigate and redesign these areas to enhance passenger safety.
Economic Challenges and Social Programs
Marcos acknowledged in his State of the Nation Address that economic growth means little if prices burden Filipinos. He cited rice prices reaching P45 to P65 per kilo as a pressing concern. In response, the government launched the “Benteng Bigas Meron (BBM) Na” rice program, making P20-per-kilo rice available through subsidies in many regions. To date, thousands of households have benefited from this initiative.
On employment, the Philippine Statistics Authority reported a drop in unemployment from 4.1% to 3.9% between April and May 2025. Underemployment also improved, falling from 14.6% to 13.1%. Inflation eased to 1.3% in May, helped by lower utility costs and slower price increases in some sectors.
Wage Increase Efforts
Despite efforts, the administration missed a chance to pass a nationwide wage hike. The House favored a P200 daily increase while the Senate proposed P100. The legislature ended without agreement, but regional wage boards implemented some raises. Critics noted the government appeared faster to approve service fee hikes than wage increases.
Advances in Health and Education
Education saw leadership changes, with Vice President Sara Duterte stepping down as education secretary and Sonny Angara stepping in. Marcos urged improvements in education quality and pledged to bridge the digital divide by distributing laptops, smart TVs, and digital resources to schools. Over 62,000 devices worth billions are slated for distribution across multiple regions.
Health programs expanded support for pregnant women enrolled in the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, providing monthly grants for prenatal and postnatal care. Despite progress, the World Health Organization called for stronger maternal and child healthcare, noting the maternal mortality rate remains above regional averages.
Climate Change and Disaster Response
Marcos stressed the Philippines’ vulnerability to climate change in his State of the Nation Address, positioning the country as a proactive climate advocate. Yet, just before his next Sona, Tropical Storm Crising and monsoon rains caused severe flooding, displacing thousands and forcing the president to focus on disaster response.
Environmental groups demanded accountability from major polluters, while some officials blamed projects like the Dolomite Beach for worsening floods. The Department of Environment, however, urged science-based flood mitigation strategies that consider climate change impacts.
The 2024 State of the Nation Address set ambitious goals and sparked significant actions. While some promises, like the Pogo ban and infrastructure projects, advanced well, challenges remain in fully realizing the president’s vision.
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