On July 27, 2020 at 4PM, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte delivered his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA). This address was one of PRRD’s most anticipated because many expected to hear about the government’s plans on combating the pandemic as well as recovery efforts for various industries and the local economy.
Given the impact of the pandemic, only 50 attendees were allowed entry at the Batasang Pambansa Complex, Quezon City, while other government officials attended the session virtually. Physical attendees had to undergo COVID-19 screening days before the SONA to make sure they were free of the virus before attending the session.
The SONA officially started with a video prayer that featured how Philippine communities are dealing with the pandemic. Soon after, a video of the Philippine National Anthem was played featuring Filipino children across the country.
PRRD first acknowledged the presence of the different government officials physically and virtually, before heading on to his address proper. Below are the highlights of PRRD’s SONA 2020:
- PRRD started off his address by acknowledging the impact of COVID-19, but assured the public of ending the battle with a vaccine.
- PRRD honored the frontliners who died during the battle against the pandemic.
- PRRD called out Senate Minority Leader Frank Drilon who lobbied for the passage of the Anti-Political Dynasty Bill and reportedly linked it to the other Dutertes in office.
- PRRD spoke out about the denial of ABS-CBN franchise and how it leveraged its media outlets to have influence over politics.
- PRRD warned against those who have used the pandemic to take advantage of the marginalized sector, especially in providing needed financial assistance over the course of the pandemic.
- PRRD reported that over 4.3 million families benefited from the Pantawid Pamilya Program, over 92 million beneficiaries received subsidies under the Unconditional Cash Transfer Program, free tertiary education and universal healthcare were made available, public utility drivers were given assistance through the Pantawid Pasada Program.
- For the drivers who did not receive any assistance, he tasked the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to look into it.
- PRRD welcomed the passage of the law postponing the Barangay and Sangguninag Kabataan (SK) Elections as it saved government funds, which will help ensure the implementation of projects under the current barangay officials.
- PRRD shared that the Malasakit Centers Act provided assistance to less fortunate Filipinos in availing medical services. He added that there are now 75 Malasakit Centers across the country, keeping resilient Filipinos healthy during these challenging times.
- PRRD hoped that the Salary Standardization Law, which increases the salary of civilian government workers, will help them perform better and encourage young Filipinos to join public service.
- PRRD expressed his appreciation for the passage of the law establishing the National Academy of Sports as a means of providing student-athletes training and support they need.
- PRRD thanked various organizations and government agencies for the successful hosting of the 30th Southeast Asian Games as it helped foster pride, patriotism, genuine sportsmanship among ASEAN.
- PRRD assured the business community and general public that through the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act, they are closer to eliminating overregulation in government services.
- This includes frontline processes, consular services, processing of building and business permits, and services for overseas Filipinos and seafarers.
- The Japan Credit Rating Agency gave the Philippines a rating of BBB+, and even upgraded it to A- just last month.
- Moody’s also affirmed and maintained the country’s rating of Baa2. PRRD mentioned that it is due to the Philippines’ strong fiscal position despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
- PRRD mentioned that significant infrastructure projects were achieved through the Build, Build, Build Program. A comprehensive report on the collective milestones will be released separately.
- PRRD said that the Executive Order Number 100, which established the Diversity and Inclusion Program as a national government program, was passed to remove discrimination.
- PRRD shared that he has always believed that freedom from illegal drugs, terrorism, corruption, and criminality, is a human right.
- Executive Order No. 92 was signed to create the National Council Against Child Labor to protect the rights of children to precent, reduce, and eliminate any form of child labor.
- PRRD said that the passage was praised by fellow member states in the UN Human Rights Council.
- PRRD lobbied that the government needs the support of everyone to help conquer any crisis. He expressed his gratitude to those who are helping keep Filipinos safe, and the Philippines running in the midst of the pandemic.
- PRRD also praised local government units that stepped up to implement their own response measures.
- PRRD mentioned the issuance of Executive Order No. 104, imposing ceilings on retail prices of at least 133 drugs and medicines, and directed a continuous review of other retail prices.
- PRRD said that through the government interventions implemented, they were able to prevent 1.3 million to 3.5 million infections.
- PRRD reported that there are currently 93 accredited testing laboratories nationwide. They are aiming to conduct 1.4 million tests by the end of July as well as a quick turnaround time of 48 to 72 hours for results.
- PRRD discussed that Php 205 billion was allotted for poor and low-income households under the Social Amelioration Program (SAP). With the COVID-19 Adjustment Measures Program, financial assistance was extended to over 650,000 affected individuals in the formal sector, 110,000 OFWs abroad, and around 83,000 repatriated OFWs.
- Temporary wage employment opportunities were also made available to displaced marginalized workers through theTUPAD Project.
- PRRD reported that his Office worked closely with Congress on the passage of the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, and also lobbied for their support in the passage of the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act to supplement funds for recovery and response against the impact of the pandemic.
- PRRD lobbied for the passage of the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act.
- This will cut corporate income levy from 30% to 25% and give government flexibility to grant a combination of fiscal and non-fiscal incentives, among others.
- PRRD reported that economic managers have seen infrastructure investment as an effective tool to help spur high growth, attract investments, create jobs, and achieve financial inclusion for all Filipinos.
- He mentioned that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) resumed construction projects including North Luzon Expressway Harbor Link, the NLEX-SLEX Connector, the Cavite-Laguna Expressway, the Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3, the R-1 Bridge Project, the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway Project, and the Subic Freeport Expressway Project.
- PRRD reported that the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) launched an online mode of livelihood and skills training, upskilling opportunities to retool OFWs to help them find local employment opportunities.
- PRRD called on the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) for scholarships grants for the children of OFWs.
- PRRD also directed the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to come up with agri-business and entrepreneurship projects for displaced OFWs.
- PRRD asked the Land Bank of the Philippines and other government financial institutions to continue providing low-interest loans to OFWs.
- PRRD said that efforts will be intensified to help businesses especially Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) by providing responsive government assistance and services, capitalization, and business operations support.
- As of July 26, 2020, over 2,600 loan applications amounting to Php 182.5 million have been approved.
- PRRD also called on the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and other banks in the Philippines to provide regulatory relief for MSMEs and allow loan payment extensions without incurring penalties and charges.
- With the tourism and recreation industries being heavily impacted by the pandemic, PRRD said that the national government agencies and LGUs must work on policies to boost tourism while ensuring everyone’s well-being.
- PRRD stressed the importance of protecting consumers and instructed the DTI to ensure the empowerment of Filipinos on their consumer rights, and coordinate strategies between public and private organizations.
- PRRD welcomed developments in the e-Commerce industry but has raised concern on having low regulatory controls, which exposes consumers to various risks related to security, data privacy, and misrepresentation.
- PRRD said that the national government will lead the transition to online systems and reiterated his call to implement will help processes be fully migrated to digital and e-governance.
- PRRD reiterated that until a vaccine is available, traditional face-to-face teaching and learning are prohibited due to risks of exposure to sickness.
- PRRD shared that he spoke with Chinese President Xi Jin Ping to allow the Philippines access to the vaccine when it is available.
- PRRD mentioned that online and modular learning as well as TV and radio-based broadcast must be implemented to help students continue learning. He also tasked the Department of Education (DepEd) to provide modules to students who cannot afford online learning.
- In support of the Learning Continuity Program through blended learning, PRRD shared the government’s plan to increase the number of schools with ICT capabilities in the coming months.
- DepEd and DICT are also building the Public Education Network (PEN) to help connect all public schools and DepEd offices nationwide.
- PRRD committed that by 2022, PEN shall be realized.
- PRRD appealed to the local telcos to provide better service. He also mentioned that he is considering closing them down if their respective services do not improve by December 2020.
- PRRD added that he will spend the last two years of his term improving the telecommunications of the country.
- PRRD reiterated the strengthening of economic zones outside Metro Manila through the Administrative Order No. 18 and the Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-Asa Program to consolidate efforts and initiatives towards the countryside development.
- PRRD mentioned plans to increase access to healthcare services in 2021 by continuously hiring and deploying more than 20,000 health professionals in isolated, disadvantaged, and rural health facilities.
- On internal security, PRRD discussed taking a whole-of-nation approach to ensure peace, order, and development in the countryside, and mentioned the vital role of the Armed Forces in this approach.
- PRRD reiterated the passage of a law establishing the Department of Overseas Filipinos to focus on solely addressing the concerns of Filipinos abroad and their families.
- PRRD also reiterated the swift passage of law reviving the death penalty by lethal injection for crimes specified under the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
- On the housing market, PRRD called on Congress to pass the National Housing Development Bill and the Rental Housing Subsidy Bill to enable all Filipinos to live in decent homes.
- PRRD also called on Congress to amend Republic Act No. 10912 or the Continuing Professional Development Act of 2016 because requiring professionals to undergo seminars is challenging in the midst of the pandemic.
- PRRD lobbied for the passage of the Nursing Education Act and the law instituting the Medical Reserve Corps. to help combat future diseases.
- PRRD added that the National Disease Prevention and Management Authority must be created to better fight against new pandemics, protect lives, and allow development to proceed even in the worst of times.
- PRRD called for the passage of the Unified System of Separation, Retirement, and Pension of the Military and Uniformed Personnel without diminishing the benefits from existing laws.
- PRRD explained that the adjusted pension system will be applicable only to newly-hired uniformed personnel to prevent causing a ballooning effect against the budget of the military in the years to come.
- PRRD appealed for the modernization of the Bureau of Fire Protection and the Bureau of Immigration.
- PRRD emphasized the creation of the Department of Disaster Resilience along with the establishment of evacuation centers in every city, province, and municipality across the country in preparation for any major disasters.
- PRRD mentioned that the responsible extraction and equitable distribution of natural resources are among his non-negotiables. He reiterated the passage of the National Land Use Act to see concerted efforts to protect the environment
- PRRD stressed the importance of agriculture and that the growth of the economy is dependent on a robust agricultural sector.
- PRRD said that the Coco Levy funds must be used to help farmers develop the coconut industry, but leaves the decision to Congress on what to do with the said funds.
- PRRD also called on Congress to pass a version of a bill that establishes the Coconut Farmers’ Trust Fund to better support Filipino farmers.
- PRRD requested for the passage of the Rural Agricultural and Fisheries Development Financing System Act to provide adequate, accessible, and affordable food for every filipino through the Plant, Plant, Plant program.
- PRRD expressed the need to build trust and confidence in online businesses and transactions through the enactment of the Internet Transaction Act.
- PRRD directed the DTI and other relevant government agencies to work closely with Congress to ensure the bill is responsive to the needs of consumers while promoting growth of e-Commerce in the country.
- On the proposed return of the United States to its former naval base in Subic Bay, PRRD shared his view on the proposal, and warned that it would place a target on the Philippines, should war ensue.
- On the South China Sea, PRRD said that the Philippines worked without fail in protecting its rights and broadened the boundaries of Philippine diplomacy. Productive ties were built with everyone that was willing to engage on the basis of equality and mutual respect.
- PRRD assured the Filipinos that the government will not stop until they make things right in the fight against the pandemic.
- PRRD shared that opening up the economy to pre-COVID levels is not ideal because it may only cause a resurgence of more confirmed cases.
- PRRD appealed for the Filipinos to continue trusting the government in achieving what is best for the country, including the fights against the pandemic, illegal drugs, criminality, insurgency, and corruption in high places and entrenched parochial interests.
- PRRD concluded his SONA by addressing recent political issues and concerns that plagued the government.