Monday, July 24th, at 4:00 PM, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. delivered his 2nd State of the Nation Address (SONA). In his speech, he gave a rundown of significant achievements and progress from his first year in service, then laid out his administration’s plans for the country.
His introduction mentioned the change in the Philippine economy despite global struggles and inflation, "Nakakita po tayo ng magagandang resulta,” he stated, providing statistical evidence claiming that there was 7.6% growth in 2022, the highest since 46 years—and for this year, registering at 6.4%, consistent with the target growth for 2023.
“We are still considered to be among the fastest-growing economies in the Asian region and in the world. It is a testament to our strong macroeconomic fundamentals,” Marcos added, “our financial system, the nerve center of our economy, remains strong and stable. Banks, the transmission arms of our monetary policy, have strong capital and liquidity positions.”
Furthermore, in his speech, Marcos listed all other progress and accomplishments with some notable mentions which were the sovereign wealth law Maharlika Fund, the removal of 57 billion debt for farmer-beneficiaries in the New Agrarian Emancipation Act, the Kadiwa program claiming to help lower the prices of the market for 1.8 million families, recalibration of K to 10 to the education program, and Food Stamps Program aiming to seek the needs of millions of hungry Filipinos.
The President ended his speech with his signature "Bagong Pilipinas" brand: "And thus, with this in my heart, I know that the state of the nation is sound, and is improving. Dumating na po ang Bagong Pilipinas. Maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat."
Truth behold, voices are not meant to be caged when the need to be heard arises.
July 26, Wednesday, students were asked about their opinion on President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.'s second State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 24, 2023.
Eagles of the School of Arts and Sciences (SAS) department expressed their thoughts about his statements on the nation's status in which many were "Dismayed" while zero to none were "Pleased."
One of his talking points highlighted the improvement in the economy over the past year and projected a further easing of inflation to 2.9 percent in 2024. However, many students were disappointed as they had not witnessed noticeable changes in the past year.
Read between the lines to some of the sentiments of the SAS students on SONA 2023.
Cartoon by Katherine Santillan
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