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GMA Network
28-07-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
SONA 2025: Highlights from President Marcos' speech
President Marcos said in his fourth SONA that social services must be delivered quickly to the people. In his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA), President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. provided an overview of the administration's accomplishments and outlined an ambitious roadmap for the remainder of his term, anchored on poverty alleviation, economic resilience, energy access, agricultural support, and education reform. Marcos said the government should act quickly and efficiently in delivering results. Below are the key takeaways from Marcos' speech: P20-per-kilo rice nationwide Marcos announced the nationwide rollout of ?20 rice per kilo through hundreds of KADIWA centers, after successful pilots across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. "Sa mga nagtatanong kung nasaan na ang beinte pesos na bigas? Ito ang aking tugon (To those who are asking, where is the P20 rice? Here is my answer)." "Napatunayan natin na kaya na natin ang beinte pesos sa bawat kilo ng bigas, nang hindi malulugi ang mga magsasaka (We have proven that we can bring down rice prices to P20 per kilo without incurring losses for farmers)," the President said. Marcos also called on Congress to amend the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund Act to make it more responsive to the needs of farmers and boost exports of the commodity. To strengthen the coconut farming sector, the administration targets the planting of up to 100 million coconut trees nationwide. Energy access for all Marcos on Monday voiced the expansion of lifeline rates for more small income families. ''Habang inaayos natin ang kumplikado nating sistema ng enerhiya sa bansa upang mapababa ang presyo, pinapalawig pa natin ang Lifeline Rate,'' Marcos said during his fourth State of the Nation Address. ''Bukod sa mga miyembro ng 4Ps, kasama na rin ngayon ang mga pamilyang nasa listahanan na maliit lamang ang kinikita at ang konsumo naman ay hindi lumalagpas sa 'lifeline rate,''' he added. He also promoted the Department of Energy's Net Metering Program, which allows households and small businesses to install renewable energy systems—such as solar panels—to generate electricity for personal use. The Lifeline Rate is a subsidized rate granted to qualified low-income customers who struggle to pay their electricity bills in full. Expanded health coverage Patients will no longer have to settle their balance when seeking treatment at Department of Health (DOH) hospitals, as Marcos announced that the government will cover all expenses incurred by Filipinos in these hospitals. 'Itinuloy na po natin ang zero-balance billing. Libre po. Ibig sabihin, ang serbisyo sa basic accommodation sa ating mga DOH hospital, wala nang babayaran ang pasyente dahil bayad na ang bill ninyo,' he said. Education reform and teacher support With over 22,000 classrooms built and 40,000 more underway, Marcos promised more teaching positions, laptops for all public school teachers, and reduced workload. He acknowledged the daily burdens faced by teachers, pledging stronger institutional support to ensure their well-being and effectiveness in the classroom. 'At ngayong school year na ito, makakatanggap na kayo ng kabayaran para sa inyong teaching overload at para sa inyong overtime,' he said. (This school year, you will start receiving compensation for your teaching overload and overtime.) Apart from this, he directed the hiring of more school counselors in public schools, citing rising cases of bullying and mental health challenges among learners. Free college and tech-voc Two million students now benefit from free tertiary education, with scholarship expansion focused on Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and Listahanan families, according to Marcos. 'Sa mga kasama naman sa Listahanan at 4Ps: itong susunod na tatlong taon, bibigyan natin ng mataas na prayoridad ang mga anak ninyong tutungtong sa kolehiyo,' he said. (For families under the Listahanan and 4Ps: over the next three years, your children entering college will be given top priority.) He also lauded the increasing global recognition of local universities and colleges. From just 22 in 2022, 114 Philippine higher education institutions are now recognized internationally, with 68 of them being public schools. Water security Amid growing demand, Marcos ordered a national push for more water impounding systems, catchment facilities, and infrastructure upgrades in Metro Manila and beyond. He said that water service providers and their joint venture partners liable for the water service interruptions in several parts of the country will be held accountable, as he lamented that more than six million consumers are currently affected by the water service interruptions. 'Ginagawa na ng LWUA (Local Water Utilities Administration) ngayon ang mga mabisang hakbang laban sa palpak na serbisyo ng mga water districts at kanilang mga joint venture partners. Titiyakin ng LWUA na mailalagay na sa ayos ang serbisyo ng tubig ng milyon-milyon nating mga kababayan at gawing mas abot-kaya naman ang presyo,' the President said. (The LWUA is taking effective measures against the bad service of water districts and their joint venture partners. LWUA will ensure that the water service for millions of Filipinos will be fixed and the price will also be made more affordable.) 'Higit sa lahat, titiyakin nating mapapanagot ang mga nagpabaya at nagkulang sa mahalagang serbisyong-publiko na ito,' he said. Transport and infrastructure expansion The President listed key projects under 'Build Better More,' including the Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge, PNR Bicol, North-South Commuter Railway, SLEX extension, and road networks in Mindanao. He also announced the revival of the iconic 'Love Bus,' now free for commuters in Metro Manila and major cities. ''Ngayon, hindi lang natin ibabalik ang Love Bus, ito ay gagawin pa nating libre. Pauna pa lamang, pilot testing pa lamang 'yung sa Davao at sa Cebu. Susundan pa ito sa iba pang lugar sa Visayas at Mindanao,'' he added. Internet for all public schools By end-2025, all public schools will have internet connectivity as part of his administration's aggressive push to modernize education and bridge the country's digital divide. He reported that the first three phases of the National Fiber Backbone project have been completed, significantly enhancing the country's internet infrastructure. At the same time, the number of Free Wi-Fi sites nationwide has jumped from just 4,000 in June 2022 to nearly 19,000 this year. Additionally, over a million SIM cards loaded with free data have been distributed to schools, particularly in far-flung areas, to support distance learning and digital access for students and teachers. Crackdown on corruption and substandard projects Citing collapsed bridges and poorly executed public works, Marcos promised stricter inspections and contractor accountability. "Kamakailan lang, nag-inspeksyon ako sa naging epekto ng Habagat at bagyong Crising, Dante at Emong. Kitang-kita ko, maraming proyekto sa flood control mga palpak at 'yung iba, guni-guni lang," Marcos said during his fourth State of the Nation Address. He served notice to government personnel who steal public funds, such as those for flood control projects, that they will be dealt with under the law. 'Sa mga nakikipagsabwatan upang kunin ang pondo ng bayan at nakawin ang kinabukasan ng ating mga mamamayan, mahiya naman kayo sa inyong kapwa Pilipino. Mahiya naman kayo sa mga kabahayan nating naanod o nalubog sa pagbaha. Mahiya naman kayo lalo na sa mga anak natin na magmamana ng utang nung ibinulsa niyo ang pera,'' Marcos added. He then tasked the Department of Public Works and Highways to submit a list of flood control projects in the last three years. The President said there will be a regional monitoring committee that will examine the projects to see their progress and if they exist. Peace and security gains Marcos said no major insurgent group now remains in the country. He emphasized reintegration of former rebels, especially in BARMM, and stronger crackdowns on syndicates, trafficking rings, and abusive online platforms. 'Sa wakas, wala na ring nalalabing grupong gerilya sa bansa, at titiyakin ng pamahalaan na wala nang mabubuo muli,' the President said. (Finally, there are no guerrilla groups left in the country, and the government will ensure that none will be formed again.) Marcos said that the government is helping thousands of former rebels and their families to start a new life. Their communities are also being developed, and they are being provided with livelihood through the help of the private sector, he added. Aside from employment programs, the President said that over 13 million Filipinos saved from armed conflict are also currently benefiting from the health stations, classrooms, water systems, and streetlights built by the government. Sports and fitness for the nation The President committed to revitalizing grassroots sports, expanding free track access, and supporting local leagues like Batang Pinoy and Palarong Pambansa. "Magbubuhos tayo ng todo-suporta sa mga palaro at mga atleta sa buong bansa. Halimbawa, ang Palarong Pambansa, at ang Batang Pinoy Games na gaganapin sa General Santos City ngayong Oktubre," he said. (We will give our full support to sports and athletes across the country. For example, the Palarong Pambansa and the Batang Pinoy Games, which will be held in General Santos City this October.) Moreover, he also expressed concern over the growing number of overweight Filipino adults, calling for a nationwide shift to healthier, more active lifestyles through accessible community-based fitness initiatives. He then encouraged local government units (LGUs) to organize sports activities such as local leagues, fun runs, and group fitness events like Zumba and aerobics. He also urged cities and municipalities to open public parks and plazas, and make them inviting spaces for physical activity. Marcos also promoted the expansion of "Car-Free Sundays" across the country, citing its current implementation in cities such as Metro Manila, Baguio, Cebu, Iloilo, and Davao. The vision for these weekly initiatives converts major roads into walkable, bike-friendly spaces, encouraging outdoor movement and reducing pollution. —LDF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
08-06-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
DA eyes lower MSRP for imported rice in July
The Department of Agriculture (DA) over the weekend announced plans to lower the maximum suggested retail price of imported rice by P2 per kilo starting next month, following the decline in the prices of the commodity in the global market. In a statement released Sunday, the DA said it plans to reduce the MSRP of imported rice to P43 per kilo starting July 1, 2025 from the current P45 per kilo that took place on March 31, 2025. Latest data available from the DA's price monitoring show that prices of imported commercial rice in Metro Manila ranged from P39.83 per kilo to P58.65 per kilo as of last Wednesday, June 4, depending on the specification. To recall, President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr., under Executive Order 62 issued in June 2024, lowered tariff rates for rice to 15% until 2028 from 35% previously. This comes as the administration seeks to lower the price of commercial rice, with the P20-per-kilo rice being sold in KADIWA or Kautwang sa Diwa at Gawa para sa Masaganing Ani at Mataas na Kita Centers starting in May, with the pilot set to go through December. This was the campaign promise of Marcos during his presidential run in 2022. Under the program, the government is set to procure rice from the National Food Authority (NFA) at P33 per kilo. These will then be sold at P20 per kilo, with the P13 per kilo subsidy to be shared by the national government and the local government units at P6.50 each. 'Marami pa rin ang nagdududa kung paano masu-sustain o patatagalin itong P20 rice na ito. May stock pa ba tayo ng bigas? Kaya ba ito na bayaran ng gobyerno?' Marcos said in a vlog released Sunday. 'Masu-sustain po natin 'yan basta't nagtutulungan ang lahat. Ang sisiguruhin natin ay hindi mawawalan ng abot kayang bigas ang ating mga kababayan,' he added. (There are a lot of doubters if this P20-per-kilo rice can be sustained or extended. Do we still have stocks of rice? Can the government pay for this? We can sustain this as long as everyone helps. We will ensure that our countrymen will not go without affordable rice.) DA monitoring shows that prices of local commercial rice in Metro Manila markets ranged from P38.17 per kilo to P57.73 per kilo as of June 4, 2025. —Jon Viktor Cabuenas/RF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
21-05-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
DA to expand scope of P20-per-kilo rice, eyes reaching 14M Pinoys by September
The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Wednesday said it is set to broaden the scope of the pilot test for the P20-per-kilo rice initiative as it eyes to reach up to 14 million Filipinos by September. In a news release, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said that the second phase of the pilot program will target Mindanao provinces with high poverty incidence. 'On top of the list for the second phase, which begins in July, is Zamboanga del Norte, with a poverty incidence of 37.7%. Also included are Basilan, Cotabato City, Tawi-Tawi, Maguindanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Davao Oriental, Sorsogon, and Maguindanao del Norte,' Tiu Laurel said. For the third phase, which will begin in September, the program will be expanded to Sultan Kudarat, Lanao del Norte, Catanduanes, Agusan del Sur, Sarangani, and Dinagat Islands. The expanded pilot test for the P20-per-kilo rice initiative is seen to cover more than 3.3 million households or 14 million Filipinos. The program, initially launched on May 1 as a pilot program in select Visayan areas, has been expanded to include regions in Luzon and Mindanao. The pilot was intended to collect critical data for efficiently operationalizing the program. It is scheduled to run until December. The subsidized rice to be sold is sourced from the National Food Authority (NFA) —which currently has an inventory equivalent to around eight million 50-kilo bags of milled rice. Tiu Laurel said he has directed the NFA to ensure the quality of rice to be distributed, especially to remote and island provinces. Under the Kadiwa ng Pangulo program, only members of vulnerable sectors—including indigents, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and solo parents—are eligible to buy NFA rice at P20 per kilo. The rice sold in KADIWA centers is subsidized by the government through the Food Terminal Inc. For programs where local government units (LGUs) share the subsidy, it will be up to the LGUs to determine eligibility. The limit is 30 kilos per household. The DA chief said the agency is aiming to sustain the program until the end of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s term in June 2028, potentially covering up to 15 million households—or approximately 60 million Filipinos. This expansion underscores the government's commitment to making rice more affordable and accessible to all, he said. —NB, GMA Integrated News
