PRESIDENT FERDINAND “BONGBONG” Marcos Jr. acknowledged Filipinos’ growing dismay towards his administration during the 2025 State of the Nation Address (SONA) last July 28, vowing instead to uphold a swifter and more effective bureaucracy. Nevertheless, despite his rosy promises, pressing issues still remain unaddressed by him and the government that he leads.
Among the salient points brought up by the president were agriculture, testifying to the sustainability of the ₱20 per kilo price of rice; stronger calamity mitigation and holding officials accountable for substandard flood control projects; decreasing unemployment rates, vowing to create more jobs; and swifter provision of necessities such as water.
“Ang leksyon sa atin ay simple lamang: kailangan pa natin mas lalong galingan. Kailangan pa natin mas lalong bilisan,” said Marcos Jr.
However, with ongoing dispute between the Marcos and Duterte families, along with the prevalence of online gambling among the public, and persistent economic struggles despite the lower unemployment rate, the 71-minute speech provided more omission than vision.
On agriculture
On this front, Marcos Jr. stated that the ₱20 per kilo price of rice can be sustained without any detriment to the farmers and will be rolled out through hundreds of KADIWA stores made possible through a ₱113 billion allocation.
The program currently grants ₱20 per kilo of rice to persons with disabilities (PWDs), solo parents, Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries, and senior citizens.
He further emphasized improvements to the agricultural sector through the distribution of more effective farm resources and strengthening agriculture education.
As farmers are voicing out concerns against traders who are taking advantage of the program, the president left a warning: “Hahabulin namin kayo, dahil ang trato namin sa inyong ginagawa ay tinuturing naming economic sabotage.”
Despite his assurances, groups like the IBON Foundation raised skepticism over the ₱20 per kilo of rice initiative, explaining that the program is heavily subsidized through government funds and local government contributions.
IBON argued that without long-term agricultural reforms, the program could become fiscally unsustainable rather than a genuine solution to food affordability.
On disaster preparedness
More recently, the Philippines has faced several recurring typhoons that submerged streets and homes across the country, unravelling the subpar conditions of flood control and leaving Filipinos at risk.
Danilo Ramos, Chairperson of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP), highlighted that several farmlands have been left devastated in the wake of the typhoons, and calling for just compensation for calamity victims.
In response to the situation, the president said that he will document all flood control projects in the past three years, whether started or completed, and take note of the unsuccessful projects. After which, a comprehensive list will be published for the public.
He also sought to hold the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) accountable for these shortcomings and for putting the lives of people at risk, accusing some DPWH officials for using their position to accumulate wealth.
“Alam naman ng buong madla na nagkakaraket sa mga proyekto,” he said.
On employment
In the past year, the number of unemployed Filipinos have been steadily dropping. 2024 was met with 2.11 million unemployed, comprising 4.10% of the population. In 2025, this number has dropped to 2.03 million, comprising 3.9%.
Riding on this momentum, the president vowed to create more jobs in conjunction with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
In an interview with The Bedan, Leodegario “Ka Leody” Quitain de Guzman, Chairperson of the Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino (BMP), pointed out that the delayed implementation of the wage hike stems from the government and labor departments being tightly constrained by powerful corporations and businessmen. He described the relationship as one “held by the neck.”
Before its sine die adjournment, the House passed a ₱200 minimum wage hike bill on final reading. But with the Senate approving only ₱100, no reconciled version was transmitted to Malacañang prior to both chambers’ adjournment last June. The President has yet to act since no enrolled bill reached his desk.
On water supply
Despite efforts by the government to provide a clean and sustainable source of water, there have been several complaints of the basic necessity not being accessible in people’s homes.
“Marami kaming natatanggap na reklamo na hindi man lang daw umaabot ang tubig sa kanilang mga gripo,” the President said.
Most notably, the PrimeWater Infrastructure Corporation, owned by former Senate President Manny Villar, has faced scrutiny for turbulent water service despite high costs, with some instances of affected region citizens resorting to storing water early in the morning.
As per Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro, there have been an estimated 16 million people who reported poor service from PrimeWater.
This has prompted investigations from the Marcos administration, as the president announced in the SONA that the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) is taking strong strides in holding poor-performing water businesses accountable for failing to provide for the people’s basic needs.
On other unaddressed issues
The more than hour-long SONA wrapped up as Marcos motioned for the Filipino to “strive for the greatest good possible.”
“Sa mga matitinding hamon na binabato at hinaharang ng ating mundo ngayon, nasa likod ninyo ang pamahalaan,” said Marcos Jr..
However, in the wake of this conclusion, the President failed to acknowledge several pressing issues affecting the country.
This has prompted criticism from various sectors, echoing the sentiment that Marcos’ promises may be uplifting but action remains to be seen.
Deputy Senate Minority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri attested that the address fails to acknowledge the lived realities of the Filipino people, such as the silence on the wage hike bill.
“We acknowledge the President’s efforts to present a comprehensive State of the Nation Address, but we had hoped to hear more on issues that directly affect the daily lives of Filipinos,” said the senator.
Moreover, Zubiri’s fellow Deputy Senate Minority Leader, Risa Hontiveros, called the SONA “manipis na manipis.”
“Hindi nabanggit ang pag-ban ng online gambling access sa mga e-wallets at super apps. Hindi rin nabanggit ang wage hike para sa ating mga manggagawa,” she said.
Online gambling has been a growing epidemic in Filipino society, with various platforms raced on billboards, promoting addiction and persuading Filipinos to take risks out of desperation.
On the other hand, the president also remained silent on the ongoing trial of former president Rodrigo Duterte, along with the dismissed impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte.
The dispute between the Dutertes and Marcoses continues to heat up, with the trial of former president Duterte in the International Criminal Court (ICC) still pending.
When it comes to foreign policy, the controversial 19% tariff imposed by US president Donald Trump on Philippine goods left the progressive groups astounded as many saw this move as the Philippines “selling its sovereignty to foreigners.”
Atty. Luke Espiritu, the President of the BMP, denounced the imposed tariffs by the US, saying, “Samantalang payag na payag siya na buksan ang ekonomiya ng Pilipinas para pasok nang pasok ang mga produkto ng Amerika dito. Anong tawag dyan? Pagpapakatuta… Traydor sa interest ng Pilipinas.”
Conversely, Marcos Jr. reiterated the Philippines’ foreign policy as “the Philippines is a friend to all. The Philippines is an enemy to none,” ahead of being the host of the ASEAN summit in 2026.
Despite the decreasing unemployment rate in the Philippines, calls for more equitable wages have largely remained unanswered, jobs may be generated but remain inadequate in providing Filipinos with a living wage.
This is further worsened by the poor water service of businesses wherein the high costs of maintenance are met with turbulent access to the basic need.
While the President has admitted that the country is no longer threatened by guerilla groups, security and welfare of the Filipino remains unfulfilled.
26 lives were taken in the wake of typhoons Crising, Dante and Emong. In which case, the Filipino people are not at risk from any foreigner nor rebel, but its own government.
Even the President admitted that officials have been profiting off projects meant for the safety of the citizens.
Further exacerbating these conditions, the hour-long address has kept quiet on several fronts, despite the president making a lot of interesting and hopeful promises.
Borrowing from his motto “friend to all, enemy to none,” the lack of confrontation may well be an indication of complicity, and one cannot be an ally for turning a blind eye to the impoverished and oppressed.