Highlights of Duterte’s 4th State of the Nation Address
President Rodrigo Duterte delivered his 4th State of the Nation Address (SONA) Monday, July 22, at the Session Hall of the House of Representatives in Batasang Pambansa Complex, Quezon City.
Prior to the start of SONA, Senator and TV Host Vicente Sotto III was reelected as Senate President, while former Foreign Affairs Secretary and known presidential ally Alan Peter Cayetano was instated as Speaker of the House.
IMAGE Simeon Celi Jr / Presidential Photo
Continued War on Drugs
Duterte started off his SONA with his administration’s War on Drugs. He requested the Congress to restore the death penalty in the country as punishment for “heinous crimes related to drugs” and plunder.
Leo Echegaray was the last prisoner to be sentenced with the death penalty through lethal injection in 1999 before it was suspended in 2006 in the country.
Corruption in the Government
A month before the SONA, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) was hit with news related to fraudulent claims. The government-owned and controlled corporation (GOCC) is responsible for the implementation of universal health coverage in the country.
During his address, Duterte reiterated that he has ordered the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to arrest and prosecute those involved and has appointed a new PhilHealth president.
He also pointed out how bigger funds can be collected once corruption is eradicated by highlighting the Php 61B collected from GOCCs, Php 16B of which solely from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), and the Php 585B from the Bureau of Customs in 2018.
Improvement of Government Services
Duterte called on the government agencies to make sure that their services are responsive, simplified, and client-friendly. He pointed out the Land Transportation Office (LTO), Social Security Service (SSS), Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Land Registration Authority (LRA), and PAG-IBIG to be in dire need of service improvement.
He also cited how the government has increased lines for 8888, a hotline meant to serve as citizens’ complaint center.
Also read: Expats’ Guide to 911 and 8888 hotlines
Commitment of the Third Telco Provider
Fast forward to a year later and the third telco provider Mislatel eyes to begin its operations by July. Duterte challenged the company to stay true to its commitment to provide the Filipinos fast and reliable services.
Also read: Mislatel Aims to Begin Operations by July
The Bangsamoro Organic Law
The Bangsamoro Organic Law was still in the works during the SONA last year, but now that it has been ratified, Duterte hopes that the law will aid in the faster “establishment of a regional government that will secure and comfortable life” of all those in the Bangsamoro regions.
The Basic Right to Education
In this year’s speech, Duterte highlighted how more Filipinos are receiving basic education, with over 27 million enrolled from Kindergarten to Senior High School. He also said that over 823,000 out-of-school youths and adult learners have received non-formal education through the country’s Alternative Learning System.
He also showed his support for the establishment of the National Academy of Sports.
Suspension of May 2020 Elections
Duterte moved for the suspension of the supposed Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections in May 2020 to October 2022. This is to supposedly give incumbent officials “ample time to finish their programs and projects” and to review more on the truncated terms.
On Overseas Filipino Workers
Duterte mentioned about the signed Bilateral Labor Agreement with Kuwait in 2018, which aims to put a stop to the abused overseas Filipino workers experience. He also campaigned for the establishment of the Department of Overseas Filipinos.
Claims on the West Philippine Sea
Another largely talked about issue against the current administration is the West Philippine Sea. In his speech, Duterte insists on avoiding conflicting, citing that going into war leaves catastrophe and destruction.
“Let me assure you, that national honor and territorial integrity shall be foremost in our mind, and when we may take the next steps in this smoldering controversy over the lines of arbitral ruling, the West Philippine Sea is ours. There is no ifs and buts. It is ours. But we have been acting, along that legal truth and line. But we have to temper it with the times and the realities that we face today,” he said.
Poverty: The Country’s Biggest Problem
Duterte briefly touched on the country’s poverty issue by stating that the country’s poverty rate has gone down from 27.6% (in the first of 2015) to 21% (in the first half of 2018).
He then urged the Congress to pass the second part of the Comprehensive Tax Reform Program or TRABAHO Bill and the Salary Standardization Law.
Refining Disaster Risk Reduction in the Country
The Philippines is no stranger to natural calamities and hazards connected to climate change. Duterte then advocated for the establishment of the Department of Disaster Resilience during his SONA.
He cited the destruction brought upon by the El Nino the country experienced this year, causing problems in the agricultural sector and water shortage in Metro Manila.
He also moved for the passage of a law mandating a Fire Protection Modernization Program.
On Land and Agriculture
Duterte looks to pass the National Land Use Act (NALUA) within this year to serve the demands of new investors and to be the basis for crafting development plans and economic activities of the government.
He also urges for the full implementation of the Rice Tariffication Law, including the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund, and the utilization of the Php 100M Coconut Levy Fund.
National Security and Mandatory ROTC
The Duterte government has been vocal about the revival of the Mandatory Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) for students in Grades 11 and 12. He also looks into passing the National Defense Act and the Unified Military & Uniformed Personnel Separation, Retirement, and Pension Bill.
Duterte looks into achieving a more “comfortable life for all Filipinos” for the remainder of his presidential term.
Also read: SONA 2018: The Philippine Government In 48 Minutes
Featured image grabbed from Simeon Celi Jr via Presidential Communications Operations Office.
Written by Faye Almazan
