Groups rally amid Marcos' SONA, shows real ‘State of the Nation’

Amid the pouring rain, sectoral organizations in the country convened at Commonwealth, Quezon City to clamor about the woes of Filipinos in the midst of the second year of the Marcos administration, alongside his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 22.

(Photo by Ronalyn Hermosa/The Communicator)

Student formations from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) highlighted calls for budget increases in universities as well as the fight for national sovereignty. 

Despite the “Bagong Pilipinas” blandishment, progressive groups challenged the perception of Philippine development during President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s second year in the palace. Manifestations of these are the rising price of basic commodities, human rights violations, insufficient educational budget, and the tension in the West Philippine Sea dispute against China’s aggression.  

According to the IBON Foundation, under the continuing administration of Marcos Jr., the Philippines has worsened its backward economic growth with a rising national debt of 15.3 trillion in May 2024 as well as a massive unemployment rate of seven million in April 2024.

“Sa Bagong Pilipinas ni Marcos Jr., patuloy ang paglala ng buhay ng karaniwang mamamayan. Utang at lumalalang kalagayan ang legasiya ng admin ni Marcos. Sa NCR, nananatili na busabos ang ordinaryong mamamayan dahil sa pagtaas ng bilihin at presyo publiko,” Leticia Castillo of Defend NCR said. 

(Photo by Ronalyn Hermosa/The Communicator)

In the education sector, PUP, the largest university in the Philippines by population, underscored the need for a budget increase for State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) amid its yearly adversity of budget cuts. With 85,000 students across its branches and campuses, the budget allotted for the university doesn’t suffice for the need for conducive learning spaces and facilities, as some of these services require a financial fee. 

Hence, with the ongoing push for the National Polytechnic University (NPU) Bill which aims to designate a higher budget for the university, student formations are threatened of the looming commercialization and privatization of the institution as the bill requires PUP to open its joint venture to corporations. 

“Ang mga estudyante sa PUP ay pinagtitiisan ang mainit at [masikip] na klasrum, ganito ang pagdadamot ni Marcos Jr. sa pamantasan namin. 'Di lang estudyante, pati na rin mga gurong mabababa ang sahod at mga janitor at guard na naka-kontraktwal,“ stated by Tiffany Brillante from Defend PUP during their program.

Multi-sectoral formations continued their local programs before converging along Commonwealth, Quezon City, carrying their militancy and artistic protest paraphernalia such as effigies of Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte with their caricatures, gigantic banners, and protest arts to mirror the real state of the nation from their woes. 

Gabriela Partylist Representative Arlene Brosas slams the administration’s vain actions toward addressing the West Philippine Sea dispute, highlighting that the administration should push for the Philippines’ self-determination and independence from foreign intervention.

 “Wala na talagang nagawa sa pagtatanggol sa West Philippines Sea at sa mga mangingisdang nawalan ng kabuhayan, bagkus nagpapapasok pa ng mga militar  na pwersa mula sa ibang [mga] bansa,” Brosas emphasized. 

Under the heavy rain, the militant presence of the people continued in the guise of cultural performances and sectoral speakers highlighting their calls. The protest ended with a symbolic burning of Marcos-Duterte effigy, denouncing their fabricated “UniTeam” resulting in their intensified political factions.

Article: Jacob Baluyot