President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s second State of the Nation Address (SONA) has received praise from lawmakers and Cabinet secretaries, who lauded the speech for showcasing the country’s ongoing meaningful economic transformation.
During the SONA, President Marcos presented promising economic figures, which were well-received by the representatives. Quezon Rep. Reynante Arrogancia expressed his approval, calling the data “welcome” and emphasized how it could attract more investments to the country.
“As a person with a background in business, I am keenly aware of the economic transformation underway in our country,” Arrogancia said, appreciating the comprehensive nature of the President’s SONA.
President Marcos highlighted the country’s growth momentum, which reached 7.6 percent in 2022, the highest in 46 years. He further stated that the growth rate for the first quarter of 2023 was 6.4 percent, staying within the target range of 6 to 7 percent for the year.
Acknowledging the efforts to stabilize the prices of critical commodities, President Marcos revealed that inflation was moving in the right direction. In January, inflation stood at 8.7 percent but had eased to 5.4 percent in June, indicating progress in transforming the economy.
Lawmakers were particularly interested in the President’s emphasis on agriculture, which aims to address the sector’s needs through science and rational approaches. Quezon Rep. Arrogancia affirmed that measures to support farmers and fisherfolk were already being carried out in his district.
Additionally, the President’s commitment to implementing more social assistance programs garnered support, though some legislators pointed out the need for additional funding to realize these initiatives fully.
Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian praised President Marcos for his detailed explanation of plans to expand the agriculture sector, which could help boost agricultural production and combat inflation.
Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco hailed the President’s dedication to connecting prospective sites of economic development, predicting that this commitment would lead to increased tourism development and job opportunities throughout the country.
Other lawmakers also expressed their support for the President’s proposals, including enhancing technical and vocational education, improving medical assistance, and promoting the integration of digital technologies in various sectors.
Speaker Martin Romualdez commended the President for his clear and direct message on the country’s improving economy, noting that the Philippines’ potential for economic success is being recognized by other nations.
The lawmakers pledged to work collaboratively with the administration to turn the President’s priorities into actionable policies that will contribute to the nation’s progress and the well-being of Filipinos.
Overall, President Marcos’ second SONA received positive feedback from lawmakers and Cabinet secretaries, who appreciated the straightforward and comprehensive approach to addressing the country’s current state and its future goals.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
