OpiniOn New Philippines

The “new Philippines” or Bagong Pilipinas is here, President Marcos said at the conclusion of his State of the Nation Address on Monday, July 24. As he had promised, his second SONA was a performance report on the “successes and challenges” in his first year in office.

It was a year during which the nation received a boost from the improvement in the COVID health situation, which allowed the lifting of pandemic restrictions and paved the way for a revival of the global economy. On the other hand, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine seriously disrupted global supply chains and caused fuel prices to surge, driving inflation that was worse than during the pandemic. Still, the president sounded a positive note in summing up his first year, describing the state of the nation as “sound and improving” and marcoeconomic fundamentals strong. He reiterated his commitment to “build better and more” critical infrastructure, to continue expanding affordable housing, social safety nets and Kadiwa outlets. He set a target of 100 percent household electrification by the end of his term.