Between President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s 2025 State of the Nation Address (SONA) and his recently concluded address, the Philippines has encountered an assortment of global events and local challenges that have tested the administration’s ability to adapt and protect the nation’s interests.
For his latest report to the people, President Marcos Jr. declared the administration’s achievements in addressing some of these issues: the oil crisis, the state of disaster readiness, and the challenges of modernizing transport infrastructure, to name a few.
Here are some key points from SONA 2026.
READ: We don’t deserve politicians constantly looking over their shoulders
An ongoing fight for true flood control
President Marcos Jr. kicked off his address by highlighting the progress of the nationwide crackdown on false flood control projects. He noted the arrests of several contractors, cronies, and elected officials, including the pile of cases against former Speaker of the House Martin Romualdez.
“Hindi ako pangulo ng aking pamilya. Hindi ako pangulo ng aking kaibigan. Ako ay pangulo ng Pilipinas at ang tungkulin ko ay sa inyo, ang aking mga kapwang Pilipino,” noted the president.
He also highlighted that the investigations and arrests have reclaimed and frozen assets amounting to P25 billion—P800 million of which have already been returned to the treasury.
Response to the oil crisis
For a military conflict far away from us, the effects of the closing of the Strait of Hormuz have deeply affected every Filipino, from jeepney drivers and operators to the everyday office worker,
The president outlined several measures the administration has taken to reduce the economic burden of increased prices across the board:
- Suspended excise tax on LPG and kerosene
- Offered around 300,000 job opportunities through nationwide job fairs
- Reduced/removed online bank transfer fees
- Gave around 25,000 tons of rice to over 2.5 million families, which will continue until it reaches the target eight million families
- 10 percent diesel subsidy for jeepneys and UV express
- 20 percent discount on rides on top of the existing 20 percent discount for students, seniors, and PWDs
- 50 percent discount on fares on the LRT-2 and MRT-3
“Dahil sa lahat ng mga pinatupad na ito, milyon-milyong Pilipino ang kahit papaano ay direktang nakaramdam ng tulong sa panahong mataas ang presyo ng petrolyo,” added President Marcos Jr.
“Kaya ko kayong harapin at sabihin na ginawa natin ang lahat ng nararapat upang malunasan ang mga epekto ng krisis.”
READ: Atty. Lorna Kapunan doesn’t think Filipino women should get married—and she has a point
Added exceptions to income tax
“To ensure the continued progress of the middle class amid the lingering effects of the crisis, we will pursue tax relief measures that promote growth, that generate revenue, and advance equity towards socioeconomic stability,” shared the president.
How? He proposes widening the exceptions to income tax, including workers who earn up to P350,000 a year.
Steps to improved disaster readiness
“We have moved on from the reactive approach. Now, we are not only proactive, but predictive as well.”
President Marcos Jr. also shared that the administration has set up a nationwide disaster readiness network, allowing the delivery of emergency nourishment and relief to target areas to be made possible within 24 hours.
Untapped energy
President Marcos Jr. also highlighted the recent discoveries made in the Malampaya Gas Field. “What we have uncovered is truly a national treasure, an untapped reserve of 222 billion cubic feet of natural gas.”
He explained that this amount would be sufficient to power around 1.6 million households for the next eight years.
Revisiting nuclear energy?
“Pushing the envelope further, perhaps it is time for us to revisit nuclear energy production… We are confident in its capacity to reinforce our energy security and bring down the cost of electricity in the country.”
No more systems loss
“Malinaw din sa pamahalaan ang hinaing ng taumbayan na pababain ang presyo ng kuryente sa bansa.” To the applause of everyone in attendance, President Marcos Jr. declared that it was high time to amend the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (EPIRA).
“We, the people, request… no, we demand the immediate amendment of the EPIRA.”
READ: What could Pinoy sports look like?
AI and space???
The president also briefly touched on the highly controversial Pax Silica Industrial Hub. Without addressing the criticism aimed at the project, he explained that it has the potential to “bring quality jobs to our people, accelerate our industrial competitiveness, and revitalize our economy.”
“As a strategic component of the Luzon Economic Corridor, the hub will be an advanced manufacturing and logistics center in the global AI and technology value chain.”
Coming out of left field, President Marcos Jr. also mentioned that Cagayan will host the country’s first spaceport and serve as our “gateway to space.”
“A sounding rocket launch test is slated for next year. Yes, we are going to launch a rocket into space.” The president noted that the venture will be done in partnership with an unnamed South Korean aerospace company.
A call for unity
A Senate in flux and an ongoing impeachment trial; our government has been the most divided it’s been in recent memory. Still, amid these differences in opinion and allegiances, President Marcos Jr. ended his 2026 SONA address with a call to unity.
“Dahil tayo man ay magkakaiba sa maraming bagay, iisa lang tayong lahi. Tayong lahat ay Pilipino. Pilipino sa diwa; Pilipino sa dugo.”
“My beloved countrymen, let us continue the work that we have started. To make the Philippines the country that Filipinos deserve. There is no nobler cause than this. We do this for our children. We do this for our future. We can do this because we love our country and we love our people.”
