By XFiles News Team
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. outlined a sweeping vision for national development during his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday (27 July 2026), unveiling initiatives aimed at transforming education, expanding social protection, improving healthcare, strengthening peace and security, and reaffirming the country’s sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea.
Addressing lawmakers at the Batasang Pambansa, Marcos presented his administration’s accomplishments while laying out priorities focused on preparing Filipinos for the future through investments in human capital, economic security, public health, and national unity.
Education at the Center of Development
Declaring education as the government’s highest priority, Marcos announced reforms designed to equip Filipino students for an increasingly digital and technology-driven world.
Among the key initiatives is the promotion of artificial intelligence (AI) literacy alongside stronger emphasis on critical thinking, creativity, innovation, and problem-solving skills. The President said scholarship programs, research grants, and innovation initiatives—including the Young Creative Challenge, the National Innovation Council (NICE), and the Filipinnovation Awards—will continue to encourage excellence in science and technology.
To improve student welfare, Marcos announced the deployment of the first 10,000 School Counselor Associates in public schools to provide accessible mental health and guidance services. The School-Based Feeding Program will also continue, benefiting more than 4.5 million kindergarten, Grade 1, and nutritionally at-risk learners.
The President reported that over 80,000 teachers and school heads have been promoted, while more than 30,000 new teaching positions have been created. To address classroom shortages, the government has partnered with the Department of Public Works and Highways, PAGCOR, local government units, and private firms to construct an initial 16,000 classrooms in Luzon through public-private partnerships.
Marcos also warned against the dangers of fake news, online pornography, violent content, and toxic social media, urging parents, schools, religious groups, communities, and government agencies to work together in protecting children from harmful online influences.
Expanded Social Protection and Housing
The President highlighted expanded social protection programs designed to provide both immediate assistance and long-term financial security for Filipino families.
He cited the continued implementation of the Department of Labor and Employment’s TUPAD program and the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) and Risk Resiliency Program, while emphasizing that stable employment remains the best solution to poverty.
Marcos also reported significant progress under the expanded Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program, saying more than 50,000 housing units have been completed or funded, with over 100,000 additional homes delivered during the past year.
To make home ownership more affordable, the Pag-IBIG Fund increased its housing loan ceiling to ₱10 million and now serves around 17 million members.
The President likewise announced improved benefits for pensioners, including the early implementation of a 10-percent increase in Social Security System (SSS) pensions and enhanced pensions and allowances for retired uniformed personnel.
Government protection for overseas Filipino workers has also expanded, with nearly seven million OFWs now covered by insurance programs alongside new labor agreements expected to generate additional overseas employment opportunities.
Preventive Healthcare and Sports Development
Marcos emphasized preventive healthcare as the foundation of a healthier nation, encouraging Filipinos to prioritize complete vaccination, proper nutrition, regular exercise, and healthier lifestyles to reduce the growing burden of medical expenses.
Complementing this initiative, the President announced that government funding for sports has been tripled.
He cited the achievements of tennis sensation Alex Eala and the Philippine Women’s National Football Team as sources of inspiration for young Filipinos, expressing hope that their success would encourage greater participation in sports and physical fitness nationwide.
Commitment to Peace and National Unity
The President also underscored advances in the country’s peace process.
He announced that the government is ready to formally conclude the peace agreement with the Cordillera Bodong Administration-Cordillera People’s Liberation Army (CBA-CPLA), marking a major milestone more than a decade after the agreement was first signed.
Marcos likewise expressed confidence in the first regular parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), saying preparations are underway to ensure peaceful, orderly, and credible elections under Republic Act No. 12317.
He described both developments as important steps toward strengthening national unity while respecting the country’s cultural and regional diversity.
Firm Stand on the West Philippine Sea
On foreign policy, Marcos reaffirmed the Philippines’ unwavering commitment to the 2016 Arbitral Award on the West Philippine Sea.
He stressed that the ruling remains final, legally binding, and central to the country’s assertion of its sovereign rights under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
The President paid tribute to the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine Coast Guard, and Filipino fishermen who continue to protect and sustain the country’s presence in its maritime territories despite continuing challenges.
Declaring that the Philippines will neither surrender nor retreat from defending its lawful rights, Marcos called on Filipinos to remain united in safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty.
Vision for the Future
Wrapping up his address, Marcos said his administration’s initiatives—from modernizing education and expanding social protection to strengthening healthcare, promoting peace, and defending national sovereignty—are all geared toward building a more resilient, competitive, and inclusive Philippines.
He urged all sectors of society to work together in achieving sustainable development and ensuring that future generations inherit a stronger and more prosperous nation.
elamigo/xf
