Local execs: “Impressive, comprehensive” SONA

CEBU, Philippines — Local leaders heaped praises for President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. during his State of the Nation Address (SONA) yesterday, saying it was “impressive and a comprehensive report” of the gains of his administration.

“Mabuhay ka Mr. President! Well-deserved. Very impressive SONA,” said Mayor Michael Rama in a short video clip released by his wife, Malou, over social media.

Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, for her part, said Marcos Jr.’s SONA was comprehensive.

“The president gave a very comprehensive report on the gains of the PBBM administration in just one year. And considering that he started with an economy ravaged by the pandemic restrictions, I must say he has done admirably well. Most of all, I really appreciated the ending. This is a President who, by word and by deed, is leading our country and all of us Filipinos to genuinely and truly Love the Philippines,” said Garcia.

Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes said Marcos’ SONA has motivated them as government officials of the local government units.

“Gawas sa pagpalig-on sa ekonomiya, isip mayor akong gikalipay ang mga programa sa presidente sa pagpalig-on sa kahimsog ug edukasyon tungod kay importante kini sa kadaghanan. Ang gisulti sa presidente sa iyang SONA ato nang napamatud-an tungod kay ang iyang serbisyo natagamtaman naman sa kadaghanan,” Cortes said.

Mandaue Representative Lolypop Ouano-Dizon, for her part, said, she was inspired with the president’s SONA.

"We have a president who is able to walk his talk in terms of improving our economy, reducing inflation, modernizing agriculture, digitalization of commerce and government services, increase revenue generation, among other key achievements on his first year in office like on internet speed, tourism boom, on the problem of OFWs in Saudi, ug daghan pa despite the many challenges.

Nalipay ko nga ang atong advocacy for free dialysis and dugang specialty government medical centers nasugdan na,” Ouano-Dizon said.

Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard "Ahong" Chan has commended Marcos for his dedication to addressing social issues and his commitment to providing free education to financially disadvantaged but deserving and talented students.

Additionally, he appreciates the president's efforts to supply free school materials to those in need, as well as his focus on tackling hunger and nutrition-related problems among the people.

“I am also delighted that the president's agenda aligns with the vision of the local government unit, which aims to provide free essential services, including free dialysis sessions, to Filipinos,” he said.

Lapu-Lapu Representative Cindi Chan said the SONA gave a refreshing take on the nation’s current status as well as opportunities for development on all fronts.

“The President was able to articulate the country’s gains for the past year of his administration and offered realistic and reliable solutions to pressing issues. Dako natong kalipay nga ipatuman sa atong halandong presidente ang free dialysis. Dili ikalimod nga usa sa akong mga advocacies ang mahatagan ug pagtagad ang mga dialysis patients. This made me very happy kay soon, we will be opening our very own dialysis center in the city,” she said.

Fifth District Representative Duke Frasco said Marcos has reassured Filipinos of the primary goal and aspiration to uplift the lives of every Filipino and build a “Bagong Pilipinas.”

“I am also happy that our Liloan smart port, Pier 88 has been mentioned as one of the notable projects that is contributing to infrastructure development paving way for economic progress. I express my sincerest gratitude to our President for recognizing the efforts and dedication of each and every Filipino, especially the workforce — our farmers, our private partners, our government officials, school teachers, and health workers,” he said.

Nutrition in SONA

Dr. Parolita Mission, regional nutrition program coordinator of the National Nutrition Council-7, said she was happy hearing the president recognized nutrition-related problems especially stunting and the First 1000 Days program and other nutrition sensitive interventions.

“I think, this is also first time that the nutrition concern and project was elaborated in a President's SONA,” she said.

Failing Mark

Members of the progressive groups in Cebu, however, see otherwise, and gave the president a failing mark in his first year of presidency.

BMP Cebu Chairperson Teody Navea, in an interview, said that P20 per kilo of rice that Marcos has promised is still to be materialized.

“Dili palliative solution. Dapat tinuoray na solusyon nga diin nga tukion ang problema sa oil deregulation law para dili na magsigeg taas ang presyo sa lana. Kung taas gani ang presyo sa lana, grabe ang kahimtang sa katawhan…sunod-sunod. Motaas ang bugas, motaas ang sibuyas, motaas ang tanan,” Navea said.

Bayan-Central Visayas Chairperson Jaime Paglinawan gave Marcos a rating of two of 10.

“Wala matubag ang issues…pabahay, health, suhulan, security of tenure…Ang giuna-red tagging, Maharlika, makabenipisyo ani iya rang mga alyado..Palpak gyud ang usa ka tuig kapin,” Paglinawan said.

The militant labor group Partido Manggagawa (PM) asserted that only the logo has changed, not the lives of the masses.

“Walang bago sa Pilipinas. Logo lang ang nagbago. All the social problems—poverty, inequality, low wages, high prices, unemployment and insecure jobs—remain unresolved and without any clear solutions under this administration,” said Dennis Derige, spokesperson of the Cebu chapter of PM.

Derige cited the loss of more than 4,000 jobs as two big garment factories are shutting down in the Mactan Export Processing Zone as an example of the failures of the Marcos administration, along with the price of rice that remains double the promised P20 per kilo.

“Dahil walang trabahong regular and walang murang bigas, bigo ang Pilipinas sa pamumuno ni BBM,” Derige added.

Akbayan Party President Rafaela David, for his part, said it was a “long speech, short on accomplishments. Pero dahil sobrang binagsak ng nakaraang administrasyon ang antas ng pamumuno, kahit ang tamad ay nagmumukhang masipag sa mata ng tao.”– Le Phyllis F. Antojado Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon  (FREEMAN)