Informative Essay - SONA

The 5th State of the Nation Address (SONA) was delivered by President Rodrigo Duterte on July 27,
2020, at the Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City. The SONA that lasted for almost two hours
was a summary of the administration’s achievement in the past few years and the remaining works to
be done (i.e. 21 bills he tasked the Congress to work on during his term). The President began his speech
with the Coronavirus pandemic, which he noted that no nation was spared or prepared to take on (go
up against). Duterte also emphasized the things he despises such as the oligarchy, the dealers and
purveyors of illegal drugs and corruption.
Due to the pandemic, the President acknowledged that we are living in a troubled time, but mentioned
hope for a vaccine. Later on his speech, he mentioned a plea he recently made with the President of
China to prioritize the Philippines for the access of vaccines once Chinese companies produce one. The
President also expressed gratitude and sympathized with the medical frontline workers. He also thanked
all the providers of basic necessities, the keeper of peace and order, the Inter-Agency Task Force, the
local government officials on their initiatives in the fight against Covid-19, and the Congress for the
effort in passing the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act. Duterte discussed all the support programs of the
government during the pandemic which includes financial aids to poor families and repatriated OFWs, a
stipend to senior citizens, temporary employment, the Malasakit Centers, and the online training
through TESDA. For the benefit of displaced OFWs, he called on CHED for scholarship programs for
qualified dependents; the DA and DTI to come up with agribusiness and entrepreneurship, and tasked
Landbank and other government financial institutions for the provision of low-interest loans. He also
enjoins the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to provide regulatory relief for MSMEs and allow loan payment
extension without incurring penalties and charges. Lastly, Duterte emphasized the creation of the
Department of Disaster Resilience and National Disease Prevention and Management Authority to
become prepared for pandemics and protect lives.
Oligarchy was mentioned in the early part of his speech where President Duterte brought up that
Senator Franklin Drilon was defending the owners of ABS-CBN (the Lopezes who used media outlets in
battles with political figures). He ended up his SONA with the same topic and said that “oligarchs” had
existed from the Spanish time, and now has control of the water and electricity. On the war against
illegal drugs, Duterte admitted that drug trafficking remains rampant amidst Covid-19, thus he reiterated
on reviving the death penalty by lethal injection. "This law will not only help us deter criminality but also
save our children from the dangers caused by illegal drugs."
On the topic of economy, the President highlighted that the Philippines' fiscal position is strong and it
can face the crisis being caused by the pandemic. On infrastructure, a comprehensive written report will
be released for the details of the Build Build Build Program accomplishments. He discussed the road
towards the e-Commerce industry and the commitment of the government to data privacy. He
encourages the adoption of paper-less type business and work performance, thus be able to easily shift
to “new normal” and also eliminate red tape and most importantly the physical queuing. The President
also requested Congress to pass a law that will establish the Coconut Farmers Trust Fund and to look
into the Land Use Act which had been pending for decades. Duterte also introduced the Plant, Plant,
Plant Program for the agriculture and fisheries sector. Duterte reported the improvement brought by
the rehabilitation of Boracay and also encourages traveling locally to boost tourism once systems are
put in place. On the topic of monopoly, he had warned the telecommunication providers to improve
their services before December, or else he will be forced to take "drastic steps” and expropriate their
businesses.
Other important points he addressed are the topics on education, where he will not allow the traditional
face-to-face teaching unless the vaccine becomes available. The martial law in Mindanao ended without
abuses by the civilian sector, police, and military. Also, he mentioned the call for an adjustment of the
pension system for the newly-hired uniformed personnel. Duterte repeated that the Philippines cannot
afford to go to war with China and the supposed plan of the United States to set up military bases in
Subic may only pose World War.

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The 5th State of the Nation Address (SONA) was delivered by President Rodrigo Duterte on July 27,

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