#SONA2025 by the beat: Three years in Marcos Jr’s office

Three years into office, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has yet to address several key issues affecting the common Filipino such as ineffective flood control projects, disruptions in basic services, rising prices of necessities, and worsening education crisis—all amid political pivots such as Duterte in ICC, impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte, and the convening of the 20th Congress.

As chroniclers of this year’s State of the Nation Address held on July 28, 2025 at the Batasang Pambansa, The Communicator documented every sectoral promise by the beat.

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ENERGY

As of July 28, 2025 | 4:30 PM

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. announced that 200 new power plants are expected to bring electricity to about four  million households, 2,000 factories, and 7,000 businesses.

The program, led by the Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Electrification Administration (NEA), targets provinces including Quezon, Camarines Norte, Palawan, Masbate, Samar, Negros Occidental, and Zamboanga del Sur.

The administration and the DOE will also fast-track the Net Metering Program, with support from the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), to streamline the project approval process.

| via John Lloyd Pablico/@JL_dakom

ECONOMICS

As of July 28, 2025 | 4:34 PM

Nangako muli si Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. sa kanyang #SONA2025 na mas paiigtingin ng kaniyang administrasyon ang pagpapalakas ng ekonomiya sa kanyang huling tatlong taon.

Kasabay nito ang pagpaparami ng trabaho, pagpapalago ng industriya, at pagbibigay-puhunan sa mga negosyante.

Ipinunto ng pangulo ang pagbaba ng inflation rate na bumaba sa 1.4% ngayong Hunyo at unemployment rate na nasa 3.9%.

Para kay Marcos Jr., palamuti lamang ang mga ito kung patuloy ang paghihirap ng mga Pilipino.

Sa kasalukuyan, dalawang milyong Pilipino pa rin ang walang trabaho ayon sa Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

| via John David Parol/@dave_dakom

SPORTS

As of July 28, 2025 | 4:40 PM

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. promises that the Philippine Sports Commission will open its track and field ovals in Pasig, Manila, and Baguio to the public.

The President will also create a new national program for sports development, bringing back sports clubs and intramurals in educational institutions.

Marcos Jr. also gave recognition to Filipino athletes that have brought honor to the country.

He also jokingly mentioned Philippine National Police Chief Nicolas Torre III who recently won by default in the Boxing for a Cause against acting Davao City Mayor Sebastian Z. Duterte.

| via Lourence Angelo Marcellana/@lou_dakom

SOCIAL SERVICES

As of July 28, 2025 | 4:43 PM

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., in his speech, said that almost five million households have benefited from the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) conditional cash grant.

“Sa tatlong taon, halos isa’t kalahating milyong pamilyang Pilipino ang gumanda ang buhay, kaya nakaka‑graduate na sa 4Ps,” he added.

The President urged local government units (LGUs) to intensify efforts in including underserved Filipinos into DSWD’s social protection initiatives.

| via John Lloyd Pablico/@JL_dakom

EDUCATION

As of July 28, 2025 | 4:51 PM

President Marcos Jr., in his #SONA2025, committed to offering courses, programs, and scholarships in agriculture for the Filipino youth.

In addition, public school teachers will now receive their teaching overtime and overload pay this year.

Marcos also assured educators that they will be provided with laptops, emphasizing that their procurement will be free from any irregularities.

Additionally, Marcos also said that 40,000 new classrooms including day care centers will be constructed. However, based on the latest data from the DepEd, the Philippines still faces a shortage of 165,000 classrooms.

Marcos also claimed that the number of Filipino youth entering college or TESDA (Technical Education and Skills Development Authority) programs is now "very high."

“The Philippines now ranks second in all of Asia in terms of youth enrollment in college and tech-voc. More are also graduating,” he said.

However, despite the rise in enrollment, Philippine universities have consistently lagged behind their regional peers in recent years, particularly in areas such as research output and teaching quality.

Notably, no Filipino institution made it to the top 500 in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings for 2025.

| via Brylle Varela/@brylle_dakom

AGRICULTURE

As of July 28, 2025 | 4:54 PM

Ayon sa #SONA2025 ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr., malaki ang naging pag-unlad ng sektor ng agrikultura sa nagdaang taon at patuloy na uunlad dahil sa mga programa ng Department of Agriculture (DA).

Maglalaan ng 113 bilyong piso ang gobyerno para sa mga programa ng DA at pagtaguyod ng mga KADIWA Stores at Centers sa buong bansa.

Pagpapalakas naman sa lokal na produksyon ang naging solusyon sa mataas na presyo ng baboy, pati na rin ang pagtayo ng bio-security facilities at pagbabakuna laban sa African Swine Fever (ASF).

Simula 2022, nasa 8.5 milyong magsasaka at mangingisda ang nakatanggap ng tulong ayon sa pagtataya ng gobyerno. Saad ng pangulo, mga naisagawang programa at proyekto tulad ng farm-to-market roads at patubig ng mga lupain ang iilan sa mga paraan ng suportang ibinibigay ng gobyerno.

Palalakasin din ang industriya ng niyog sa tulong ng Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund.

Pinabibilis na rin ng DAR ang proseso sa Certificate of Land Ownership Award at Certificate of Condonation with Release of Mortgages para sa mga benepisyaryo ng Agrarian Reform.

| via Althea Angeles/@thea_dakom

PEACE AND ORDER

As of July 28, 2025 | 5:02 PM

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will strengthen the nation's peace and order by reinforcing and modernizing its police force and arms.

Marcos Jr. also commended thousands who were part of the uprising against the government, who've "redeemed" themselves.

The President has claimed that there are no more guerrilla groups and asserts that the government will make sure no other groups will be formed.

AFP, PNP, and former rebels are now working together to maintain peace & order in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

The Police force will now respond within five minutes, according to the President.

Marcos Jr. added that they are now working on bringing justice to the missing Sabungeros, warning crime syndicates that they are not safe from the law, regardless of whether they have money or power.

He added that the current administration has already matched the number of arrested individuals from the Duterte administration.

Around 153,000 individuals are arrested, 9600 of which are "high-value targets," said Marcos Jr.

However, 600 of them are government staff, more than 100 are officials, and 50 are from the police.

| via Lourence Angelo Marcellana/@lou_dakom

INFRASTRUCTURE

As of July 28, 2025 | 5:02 PM

Some infrastructure projects, such as roads, rail systems, and housing, among others, are expected to be completed after the administration; others will extend beyond it.

“Nagpupundar tayo para sa kinabukasan: we are not building only for today, we are building also for tomorrow,” President Marcos said.

He also highlighted the 50% train fare discount for students and PWDs, and the Pamilya Pass, while assuring that additional train cars will be introduced in the coming years—even beyond his term.

Before year-end, construction is expected to begin on the 32‑km Bataan–Cavite Interlink Bridge.

The administration is repairing the PNR Bicol line, including the Binahan Bridge in Camarines Sur, which was damaged by Typhoon Kristine.

Meanwhile, the SLEX extension is targeted for opening in 2026.

| via John Lloyd Pablico/@JL_dakom

HEALTHCARE

As of July 28, 2025 | 5:10 PM

Ipinangako ng Pangulong Marcos Jr. sa kanyang #SONA2025 na patuloy pang magbubukas ang mga libreng serbisyong pangkalusugan.

Sa nagdaang tatlong taon, kanyang nabanggit na ang administrasyon ay nakapagtayo na ng mga ospital, specialty center, at nakapagbigay na ng mga libreng serbisyo.

Sinabi niya rin na ang bawat bayan sa bansa ay mayroon nang doktor.

Sa pamamagitan ng PhilHealth, nangako ang pangulo na palalawigin pa ang mga libreng serbisyong kailangan para sa gamutan ng mga sakit tulad ng diabetes, cancer, catarata, at iba pa.

Ang Zero Balance Billing din ay magpapatuloy upang wala nang kailangang bayaran ang mga pasyente sa ospital.

| via Ara Palisoc/@ara_dakom

JUSTICE

As of July 28, 2025 | 5:22 PM

President Marcos, in his #SONA2025, vowed to hold accountable those behind the “missing sabungeros" case, whether civilians or officials. 

“Kahit malakas, mabigat, o mayaman, hindi sila mangingibabaw sa batas,” he said.

Between 2021 and 2022, around 30 individuals were initially reported missing in connection with alleged game-fixing operations tied to online cockfighting (e-sabong). However, some sources suggest the actual number may be higher.

Public interest resurfaced after Julie Patidongan, also known as “Totoy” and “Dondon,” claimed the victims were dead and dumped in Taal Lake. Human remains have been recovered, but their identities remain unconfirmed.

| via Brylle Varela/@brylle_dakom

CLIMATE RESPONSE

As of July 28, 2025 | 5:22 PM

Aminado si Pangulong Marcos Jr. na may "kickback" sa mga flood control projects na aniya'y palpak at walang silbi noong nagdaang habagat at hagupit ng Bagyong #CrisingPH, #DantePH, at #EmongPH.

"Mahiya naman kayo sa inyong kapwa Pilipino. Mahiya naman kayo sa mga kababayan nating naanod o nalubog sa mga pagbaha. Mahiya naman kayo lalo sa mga anak natin na magmamana sa mga utang na ginawa ninyo noong nilustay niyo lang ang pera."

Inobliga na ng pangulo ang DPWH na magsumite ng listahan ng mga flood control projects na isinagawa ng gobyerno para malaman kung ilan dito ang "ghost projects."

Isisiwalat ang listahang ito sa publiko at nangako ang pangulo ng magkakaroon ng audit at performance review sa mga naturang proyekto.

| via John David Parol/@dave_dakom

You may view the full transcript here and The Communicator's fact-check piece here.

Graphics: Kent Bicol

Editor's Note: Minimal edits were made in the text to ensure legibility.