Joselito Malig

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivers his 4th annual State of the Nation Address at the House of Representatives in Quezon City  on July 28, 2025. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Carmelle Lacuata

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17537903996221753790412533.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivers his 4th annual State of the Nation Address at the House of Representatives in Quezon City  on July 28, 2025. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivers his 4th annual State of the Nation Address at the House of Representatives in Quezon City  on July 28, 2025. <em>Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News </em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA - President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday delivered his fourth State of the Nation Address, wherein he tackled several issues affecting the country.</p><p>In his one hour, ten minute-long address, Marcos talked about several issues affecting Filipinos, from basic needs, healthcare, food, public utilities and transportation.</p><p>He also vowed to rid the government of corruption, which he blamed for the inefficiencies in the country&#x27;s flood control projects</p><div><strong>1. Corruption in flood control projects</strong><strong></strong><br/></div><p>Marcos&#x27; strong statement against corruption was widely applauded during Monday&#x27;s SONA, wherein he called out those who were complicit in supposedly corrupting public funds at the detriment of the public, who had to endure severe floods in recent days.</p><p>&quot;Huwag na po tayong magkunwari. Alam naman ng buong madla na nagkaka-racket sa mga proyekto. Mga kickback, mga initiative, errata, SOP, for the boys. Kaya sa mga nakikipagsabwatan upang kunin ang pondo ng bayan at nakawin ang kinabukasan ng ating mga mamamayan, mahiya naman kayo sa inyong kapwa Pilipino!&quot; Marcos said.</p><p>&quot;Mahiya naman kayo sa mga kabahayan nating naanod o nalubog sa mga pagbaha! Mahiya naman kayo lalo sa mga anak natin na magmamana sa mga utang na ginawa ninyo, na binulsa niyo lang ang pera,&quot; he added.</p><p>The President then ordered a probe on these anomalous projects, vowing to prevent similar events from happening again in the future.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/28/-mahiya-naman-kayo-marcos-order-probe-on-corruption-in-flood-control-projects-1725">&#x27;Mahiya naman kayo&#x27;: Marcos orders probe on possible corruption in flood control projects</a></div><div><strong>2. P20-kilo rice</strong></div><p>Among the issues first addressed by Marcos in his SONA is the government&#x27;s P20 rice program, which he said will soon be available nationwide as the government has allotted P113 billion to expand the program.</p><p>According to Marcos, the P20 per kilo rice program was rolled out in provinces like Pangasinan, Cavite, Occidental Mindoro, Cebu, Bacolod, Guimaras, Siquijor, and Davao del Sur.</p><p>&quot;At dahil sa ilalaan nating P113 bilyon upang palakasin ang mga programa ng (Department of Agriculture), ilulunsad na natin ito sa buong bansa, sa pamamagitan ng daang-daag KADIWA stores at centers sa iba&#x27;t ibang lokal na pamahalaan,&quot; he said.</p><p>The government is currently selling P20/kilo rice to certain marginalized sectors, including persons with disabilities (PWDs), solo parents, 4Ps beneficiaries, and senior citizens.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2025/7/28/p20-rice-is-possible-to-be-further-expanded-with-p113-billion-budget-1640">Marcos: P20 rice program to be expanded nationwide</a></div><div><strong>3. Power plants and water services</strong></div><p>The President likewise addressed power and water supply concerns, vowing to ramp up rural electrification, and fix Siquijor’s power crisis this year.</p><p>According to Marcos, almost 200 new power plants will come online by 2028, which he said can power millions of homes, and thousands of factories and businesses.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2025/7/28/marcos-says-almost-200-power-plants-to-be-finished-by-end-of-term-1715">Marcos says almost 200 power plants to be finished by end of term</a></div><p>He also said the the government would seek accountability for the poor water service reported in parts of the country.</p><p>“Titiyakin ng LWUA (Local Water Utilities Administration) na mailalagay na sa ayos ang serbisyo ng tubig ng milyon-milyon nating kababayan at gawing mas abot-kaya naman ang presyo,” Marcos said in his fourth State of the Nation Address.</p><p>“Higit sa lahat, titiyakin nating mapapanagot ang mga nagpabaya at nagkulang sa mahalagang serbisyong-publiko na ito,” he added.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/28/marcos-promises-to-seek-accountability-for-poor-water-supply-1709">Marcos vows accountability for poor water service</a></div><div><strong>4. Love Bus, Dalian trains</strong></div><p>Marcos said more Dalian trains for the MRT-3 will come online this year and next year, which is expected to increase MRT-3 carrying capacity to 800,000.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2025/7/29/dalian-trains-to-increase-mrt-3-carrying-capacity-to-800-000-dotr-0846">Dalian trains to increase MRT-3 carrying capacity to 800,000 - DOTr</a></div><p>Bought in 2014, the 48 light rail vehicles were delivered by Chinese manufacturer, CCRC Dalian Co to the Philippines, but were not used over alleged compatibility issues with the MRT-3.</p><p>&quot;Pero ngayon naayos na natin. Ang tatlong bagon ay nagagamit na ngayon. Asahan ninyo, ang ilan sa 45 ay magagamit na natin bago matapos ang taong ito; ang iba sa susunod na taon naman,” Marcos said.&quot;</p><p>Marcos also vowed to revive the &quot;Love Bus&quot; service, which he said will also be launched in Davao and Cebu.</p><p>The Love Bus was a transport project launched during his father’s term. The blue buses, which operated on a flat fare and a fixed schedule, were once widely used in Metro Manila in the 1970s and 1980s.</p><p>“Ngayon, hindi lang natin ibabalik ang Love Bus, ito ay gagawin pa nating libre. Pauna pa lamang yung sa Davao at Cebu. Susundan pa ito sa iba pang lugar sa Visayas at Mindanao,” the President said.</p><p>Cebu City is set to launch its Bus Rapid Transit system this year, while the Asian Development Bank is funding the Davao Bus project, or the Davao Public Transport Modernization Program.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2025/7/28/love-bus-to-be-revived-more-dalian-trains-to-be-deployed-marcos-1834">Love Bus to be revived; more Dalian trains to be deployed: Marcos</a></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2025/7/29/love-bus-to-launch-by-end-2025-targets-metro-manila-key-cities-0911">Love Bus to launch by end-2025, targets Metro Manila, key cities</a></div><div><strong>5. Construction of Bataan-Cavite Bridge; rehab of major bridges</strong></div><p>The President said the construction of the Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge, which will help cut the travel time between Bataan and Cavite, will start before the end of the year.</p><p>&quot;Kung ang biyahe ngayon mula Mariveles hanggang Naic ay umaabot ng limang oras, balang araw ito ay magiging 45 minuto na lamang,&quot; he said.</p><p>Construction of the more than 32-kilometer bridge was initially expected to begin in the latter part of 2023, but was postponed to early or mid-2024. The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said it was still finalizing financing arrangements with the Asian Development Bank (ADB).</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/business/2024/7/19/on-the-right-track-reviewing-marcos-build-better-more-infra-program-1819">Marcos says construction of Bataan-Cavite bridge to start this year; hits collapsed Isabela bridge</a></div><p>Marcos likewise said the government will soon rehabilitate the Guadalupe Bridge, while the rehabilitation of the San Juanico Bridge is expected to be finished by December.</p><div><strong>6. Probe on the case of missing sabungeros</strong></div><p>According to Marcos,  his entire administration is working to resolve the case of the missing cockfighting enthusiasts (sabungeros), vowing that those responsible will be held fully accountable and face severe punishment.</p><p>&quot;Nagtutulungan ang buong pamahalaan para lutasin ang mga kaso ng mga nawawala dahil sa walang pakundangang kagagawan ng mga sindikato sa likod ng madilim na mundo ng mga sabungan,&quot; Marcos said during his fourth SONA.</p><p>Marcos said the government will go after the masterminds and all those involved in the case, whether they are civilians or officials.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/28/marcos-gov-t-going-after-masterminds-in-missing-sabungeros-case-1709">Marcos: Gov’t going after masterminds in &#x27;missing sabungeros&#x27; case</a></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/29/12-cops-in-sabungeros-case-face-administrative-case-1306">12 cops in ‘sabungeros’ disappearance face administrative case</a></div><div><strong>7. Laptops for teachers, other school gadgets</strong></div><p>Marcos also assured that the laptops the government promised to teachers are arriving soon.</p><p>This, he said, was part of the government&#x27;s investments to address the educational needs of Filipino students.</p><p>&quot;Ngayon ay nagdaratingan na ang mga laptop na laan para sa bawat guro sa public school... Tiniyak natin na walang anomalya sa pagbili ng mga laptops na ito,&quot; Marcos said.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/28/marcos-jr-says-laptops-for-teachers-other-school-gadgets-arriving-soon-1714">Marcos Jr. says laptops for teachers, other school gadgets arriving soon</a></div><div><strong>8. &#x27;Zero billing&#x27; in DOH hospitals; expanded PhilHealth coverage</strong></div><p>To address issues in the country&#x27;s healthcare system, Marcos said  Filipino patients no longer have to pay for basic accommodation service in DOH hospitals as the administration launches its &quot;zero balance billing&quot; initiative.</p><p>&quot;Areglado na ang lahat sa ospital. Wala nang kailangan puntahan o lapitan pa. Ito po, itinuloy na po natin ang zero balance billing. Libre po. Ibig sabihin, ang serbisyo sa basic accommodation sa ating mga DOH na ospital, wala nang babayaran ang pasyente, dahil bayad na ang bill ninyo,&quot; he explained.</p><p>He also said the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) had expanded its benefits, offering free services for various heart conditions, weekly dialysis sessions and medicines in a year, eyesight check-up and treatment for children, rehabilitation and therapy sessions for persons with disabilities (PWD), and other emergency situations.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/health-science/2025/7/28/-areglado-na-marcos-touts-zero-billing-for-basic-accommodation-in-doh-hospitals-1753">Areglado na&#x27;: Marcos touts &#x27;zero billing&#x27; for basic accommodation in DOH hospitals</a></div><div><strong>9. Foreign policy, ASEAN chairmanship for 2026</strong></div><p>Marcos also reaffirmed that his administration&#x27;s foreign policy remains unchanged and will serve as the focus of the Philippines&#x27; hosting of the ASEAN Summit in 2026.</p><p>&quot;Then as now, our foreign policy remains the same: the Philippines is a friend to all. The Philippines is an enemy to none,&quot; Marcos said during his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA).</p><p>&quot;That will be our main focus as we host the ASEAN Summit in 2026,&quot; he said.</p><p>The Philippines was originally scheduled to host the ASEAN Summit in 2027, during the bloc’s 60th founding anniversary, but Myanmar formally expressed that it would forego the chairmanship in 2026.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/28/-friend-to-all-enemy-to-none-marcos-says-ph-foreign-policy-unchanged-1746">&#x27;Friend to all, enemy to none&#x27;: Marcos says PH foreign policy unchanged</a></div><div><strong>10. No more &#x27;misaligned&#x27; national budget</strong></div><p>According to the President, he would not sign into law a national budget that is &quot;misaligned&quot; with his administration&#x27;s programs, vowing to &quot;return any proposed General Appropriations Bill that is not fully aligned with the National Expenditure Program.&quot;</p><p>&quot;And further, I am willing to do this even if we end up with a reenacted budget,&quot; Marcos said.</p><p>&quot;Hindi ko aaprubahan ang kahit anong budget na hindi alinsunod sa plano ng gobyerno para sa sambayanang Pilipino,&quot; he continued.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2025/7/28/marcos-warns-i-won-t-sign-budget-misaligned-with-gov-t-plans-1831">Marcos warns: I won&#x27;t sign budget &#x27;misaligned&#x27; with gov&#x27;t plans</a></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/2025/7/28/full-text-marcos-sona-2025-1936">FULL TEXT: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.&#x27;s SONA 2025</a></div><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zsZ1T0hsLvA?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday delivered his fourth State of the Nation Address, wherein he tackled several issues affecting the country.</p>

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday delivered his fourth State of the Nation Address, wherein he tackled several issues affecting the country.

LIST: 10 key issues Marcos addressed in his 4th SONA

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LIST: 10 key issues Marcos addressed in his 4th SONA

Rose Carmelle Lacuata,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jul 29, 2025 07:49 PM PHT

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Updated Jul 29, 2025 08:00 PM PHT

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