Cover President Ferdinand Marcos Jr delivers his fourth SONA (Photo: RTVM)
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr delivers his fourth SONA (Photo: RTVM)
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From pledges of economic resilience and education reform to a tougher line on corruption and climate readiness, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr lays out his midterm vision for the country in his fourth SONA
In his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 28, 2025, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr delivered a comprehensive overview of the administration’s achievements and upcoming plans. His remarks covered economic performance, social welfare, climate resilience, infrastructure, healthcare, education, foreign policy and anti-corruption measures.
Marcos portrayed the Philippines as a stable investment destination, citing low inflation and a reduced unemployment rate of approximately four per cent. With PHP113 billion allocated to agriculture, efforts include strengthening food access through Kadiwa stores and addressing price manipulation that threatens farmers. He unveiled targets such as building 200 power plants within three years, expanding solar power, restoring electricity in Siquijor, improving water filtration and bulk supply projects, expanding education budgets for 40,000 new schools, improving teacher compensation and rolling out PPP-backed health programmes including free dialysis and kidney transplants, all while reinforcing a zero-balance billing directive in public hospitals.
Marcos also emphasised the Philippines’ foreign stance as “a friend to all, enemy to none” and thanked nations that granted clemency to 600 overseas Filipino workers. He promised prosecutions in flood-control graft cases and reiterated that only projects in the National Expenditure Program would be approved going forward. These policy areas received front-row focus during the speech.
Read more: What happens during a State of the Nation Address (SONA) in the Philippines?
What was said
Above President Ferdinand Marcos Jr talked about the state of the Philippine economy at his fourth SONA (Photo: Unsplash)
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr talked about the state of the Philippine economy at his fourth SONA (Photo: Unsplash)
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Economy and Jobs
Marcos reported that inflation has remained low while unemployment has fallen to about four per cent of the labour force. He said the administration’s priority is to ensure decent work as a way out of poverty and hunger, and urged both local and foreign investors to “invest in the Filipino.”
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Agriculture and Food Security
The President announced that the PHP113‑billion budget for the Department of Agriculture is earmarked for programmes such as Kadiwa stores, which aim to make food more accessible. He warned traders against price manipulation, calling it economic sabotage. Other initiatives include distributing piglets and providing vaccines to combat African Swine Fever, as well as developing agricultural courses to encourage the younger generation to work in the sector.
Education
Education received the largest allocation in the national budget. Marcos said the government will focus on academic recovery, early childhood development and mental health in schools. He announced a PHP1‑billion fund to establish barangay child development centres, particularly in underserved areas, to address a longstanding shortage of daycare facilities.
Since 2022, 2,200 schools have been built, with a target of 40,000 more by the end of the term. Laptops will be distributed to public school teachers, overtime pay will be provided and non-teaching administrative tasks will be reduced. Senior high school students will be offered stronger technical-vocational tracks leading to NCII and NCIII certifications. Two million students are currently benefiting from free college education, with 260,000 more supported through scholarships.
Read more: Could your child’s best education lie beyond the classroom?
Health
Marcos highlighted the expansion of healthcare services, stating that every town now has a doctor and that all Filipinos are covered by PhilHealth. Cancer care funding has been strengthened, and zero-balance billing remains in effect in Department of Health hospitals.
Energy and Water
The administration plans to construct nearly 200 power plants over the next three years and to extend electrification to more households, including through solar energy projects. Following a prolonged power outage in Siquijor, Marcos ordered the Department of Energy and other agencies to normalise the province’s power supply and provide refunds to affected consumers if necessary.
On water security, he announced the implementation of new filtration and bulk water supply systems, citing that over six million people are affected by shortages. He reiterated a plan to create a Department of Water Resource Management to coordinate water supply projects nationwide.
Above President Ferdinand Marcos Jr visited evacuation centres in Tanza, Cavite prior the SONA 2025 (Photo: Presidential Communications Office)
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr visited evacuation centres in Tanza, Cavite prior the SONA 2025 (Photo: Presidential Communications Office)
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Disaster Response and Climate Resilience
Marcos cited the impact of four tropical storms that hit the country in July alone. He announced that more evacuation centres will be built so that schools can be reserved for learning during emergencies. The President emphasised modern technology for disaster forecasting and called for greater public discipline in waste disposal to reduce urban flooding.
Anti-Corruption and Flood Control
A significant portion of the address focused on corruption, particularly in flood control projects. Marcos condemned the misuse of funds, saying: “Mahiya naman kayo [Shame on you],” directed at those profiting from public works. He warned that charges will be filed within the month against those found responsible and declared that only projects included in the National Expenditure Program will be approved moving forward.
Read more: Climate change and its relationship with El Niño and La Niña
Foreign Policy
The President reaffirmed the country’s independent foreign policy, describing it as “a friend to all, enemy to none”, and highlighted the Philippines’ role as upcoming host of the ASEAN Summit next year. He thanked the nations that granted clemency to 600 overseas Filipino workers and emphasised a commitment to a rules-based order in the region.
Infrastructure and Connectivity
Infrastructure projects, including railways, airports and seaports, remain a priority. Fare discounts have been raised from 20 to 50 per cent and have been set for students, senior citizens and persons with disabilities. Digital infrastructure is expanding, with free public Wi-Fi sites increasing from 4,000 in 2022 to 19,000 today. The government has distributed one million SIM cards to schools in remote areas to improve connectivity.
Peace and Order
The President noted that crime rates have declined and that police response times have improved, with a goal of five minutes in many areas. He vowed to hold accountable those responsible for the disappearance of cockfighting enthusiasts and reported that law enforcement had seized PHP80 million worth of illegal drugs as part of the government’s anti-drug operations.
What was left unsaid
Above Vice President Sara Duterte and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr (Photo: Presidential Communications Office)
Vice President Sara Duterte and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr (Photo: Presidential Communications Office)
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Despite the breadth of topics addressed, several high-profile political issues were completely unmentioned. Absent from the address was any reference to Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment, despite the Supreme Court’s recent nullification of the case on constitutional grounds. The impeachment, initiated in February and later voided in July, remains unresolved and tinted with political tension. While the President’s silence was notable, he made a subtle yet direct comment on the laptop distributions by the Department of Education, saying they were delivered “with no anomaly”. This assertion implicitly distinguishes his administration’s procurement approach from the controversial 2021 laptop deal overseen by then-Education Secretary and Vice President Sara Duterte, where overpricing and outdated specs had triggered audits and congressional scrutiny.
Also omitted were any comments on the International Criminal Court proceedings involving former President Rodrigo Duterte. Since his arrest in March 2025 under ICC charges linked to alleged crimes against humanity during the drug war, Duterte has remained at the centre of political and legal controversy, yet Marcos made no mention of this issue during his address.
Additionally, the West Philippine Sea territorial dispute, anticipated to be raised following earlier SONA declarations on maritime sovereignty, was not addressed this year. Analysts had expected some reaffirmation of policy or the pending ASEAN Code of Conduct negotiations, but Marcos kept these matters out of his prepared remarks.
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Marcos Jr’s fourth SONA offered a clear, methodical presentation of what he regards as his administration’s core responsibilities: economic resilience, inclusive social services, climate preparedness, infrastructure expansion and institutional integrity. What he omitted in plain view of Philippine democracy watchers were the topics many expected to provoke political ripples: VP impeachment, the ICC case involving Duterte senior, and maritime sovereignty.
Taken together, his speech conveys a presidency seeking to redefine itself firmly in policy terms, while sidestepping ongoing political feuds that could distract or divide.
Syrah is Tatler Philippines’ Power & Purpose editor, where she spotlights extraordinary journeys shaping the Philippines and Asia. She covers business, innovation, impact, and culture—chasing the people, ideas and forces shaping how we live and think today.
