Narito
ang unang State of the Nation Address ni Pangulong Ferdinand E. Marcos, Jr.
STATE
OF THE NATION ADDRESS
OF
HIS EXCELLENCY FERDINAND R. MARCOS JR.
PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES
TO THE CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES
[Delivered
at the Session Hall of the House of Representatives, Batasang Pambansa Complex,
Quezon City on July 25, 2022]
Vice President Sara Zimmerman Duterte; Former
Presidents Joseph Ejercito Estrada, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Rodrigo Roa
Duterte; Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri and the honorable members of the
Senate; House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez and the honorable members of
the House of Representatives; Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo and the
honorable Justices of the Supreme Court; the Apostolic Nuncio Most Reverend
Charles John Brown and the esteemed members of the diplomatic corps; the
honorable members of the Cabinet; our First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos and our
children [applause]; distinguished guests; ang mga minamahal kong mga
kababayan; ladies and gentlemen; magandang hapon po sa inyong lahat.
I come before you today to address you, as it
is my duty as President of the Republic.
We live in difficult times brought about by
some forces of our own making, but certainly, also by forces that are beyond
our control.
But we have, and we will continue to find
solutions.
And these are some of them.
In terms of the economy, we will implement a
sound fiscal management.
Tax administration reforms will be in place to
increase revenue collection.
Expenditure priorities will be realigned, and
spending efficiency will be improved to immediately address the economic
scarring arising from the effects of COVID-19, and also to prepare for future
shocks.
Productivity-enhancing investments will be
promoted.
Our country must become an investment
destination, capitalizing on the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for
Enterprises or the CREATE Law and the economic liberalization laws such as the
Public Service Act and the Foreign Investments Act.
Ecozones will be fully supported to bring in
strategic industries such as those engaged in high-tech manufacturing, health
and medical care, and all emerging technologies.
This is also seen to facilitate economic
growth outside of Metro Manila.
Our tax system will be adjusted in order to
catch up with the rapid developments of the digital economy, including the
imposition of value-added tax on digital service providers.
The initial revenue impact will be around Php
11.7 billion in 2023 alone.
Tax compliance procedures will be simplified
to promote ease of paying taxes.
We will pursue measures to determine possible
undervaluation and/or trade misinvoicing of imported goods.
Through information and communications
technology, the Bureau of Customs will promote streamlined processes.
Disbursements for 2022 to 2023 will be
maintained at above 20 percent of gross domestic product or Php 4.955 trillion
and Php 5.086 trillion, respectively, to ensure continuous implementation of
priority programs.
Disbursement will further increase over the
medium-term from Php 5.402 trillion or 20.7 percent of our GDP in 2024 to Php
7.712 trillion or 20.6 percent of GDP in 2028.
The Medium-Term Fiscal Strategy of this administration
seeks to attain short-term macro-fiscal stability while remaining supportive of
the country’s economic recovery and to promote medium-term fiscal
sustainability. Furthermore, and more importantly, fiscal policy aims to bring
together the National Government’s resources so that these are mobilized and
utilized in order to gain the maximum benefit and the high multiplier effects
for our economy.
Measurable medium-term macroeconomic and
fiscal objectives include the following headline numbers. These are based on
forecasts that are consistent with the guiding principles of coherence of
strategies, policy discipline and fiscal sustainability.
- 6.5 to 7.5% real
gross domestic product (GDP) growth in 2022; 6.5 to 8% real GDP growth
annually between 2023 to 2028
- 9% or
single-digit poverty rate by 2028
- 3% National
Government deficit to GDP ratio by 2028
- Less than 60%
National Government debt-to-GDP ratio by 2025
- At least 4,256
USD income (GNI) per capita and the attainment of upper middle-income
status by 2024
The aforementioned headline goals summarize
the objectives of this Medium-Term Fiscal Strategy (MTFF) being submitted to
Congress, for its adoption and concurrence through a Concurrent Resolution by
the Senate and House of Representatives.
Once adopted, the MTFF will become an anchor
for the annual spending and financing plan of the National Government and
Congress when preparing the annual budget and undertaking related appropriation
activities. It is therefore a forward-looking document that extends beyond the
traditional three-year horizon to reach six (6) years, coinciding with the
six-year coverage of the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2023 to 2028.
The MTFF also promotes transparency and
credible commitment to pursue the indicated socio-macroeconomic goals that
optimize the government budget.
Medium-term growth targets and the assumptions
regarding key macroeconomic variables underpin the medium-term fiscal plan. The
recent past and the COVID-19 pandemic has beset the macroeconomic environment
with challenges and a series of external shocks. Inflation has accelerated in
recent months due largely to significant increases in international prices of
oil and other key commodities.
Still, the economic growth momentum remains
firm as demonstrated by the strong 2022 first quarter GDP growth at 8.3
percent. However, the recovery process from the impact of the pandemic is still
on-going amid elevated uncertainty in the international economic environment.
Revisions in the macro-economic assumptions incorporate these challenges and
most recent economic developments, leading to upward adjustments in the
following:
- Inflation rate
for 2022 to 2023;
- Foreign exchange
rate for 2023 to 2025; and
- Goods and
services imports growth for 2022
The economy is expected to grow by 6.5 to 7.5
percent this year as we continue to reopen the economy while considering the
recent external developments.
In the first quarter alone, GDP saw an
increase in household consumption and private investments, along with a robust
manufacturing industry, high vaccination rate, improved healthcare capacity,
and an upward trend in tourism and employment. This is expected to continue for
the rest of the year. This strong economic growth is projected to be sustained
and expanded further to 6.5 to 8 percent from 2023 until 2028.
The average inflation for 2022 is projected to
range from 4.5 to 5.5 percent, following the uptick in fuel and food prices as
a result of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and the disrupted supply
chains.
It is slightly adjusted to 2.5 to 4.5 percent
in 2023, and is seen to return to the target range of 2.0 to 4.0 percent by
2024 until 2028.
Dubai crude oil price is expected to settle at
90 to 110 USD per barrel in 2022, 80 to 100 USD per barrel in 2023, and 70 to
90 USD per barrel from 2024 onwards as oil supply is expected to catch up and
stabilize over the medium-term.
The Philippine peso is projected to average
between 51 to 53 PhP per US dollar in 2022 and 51 to 55 PhP per US dollar from
2023 onwards due to aggressive monetary policy tightening by the US Federal
Reserve, market aversion amid the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and again, increased
global oil prices.
Lastly, exports of goods are expected to grow
by 7 percent in 2022, and 6 percent from 2023 to 2028.
On the other hand, imports of goods are
projected to grow by 18 percent in 2022, 6 percent in 2023, and 8 percent from
2024 to 2028.
I have instructed the NEDA to coordinate with
other agencies and work on the Philippine Development Plan for 2023 to 2028 and
to submit to me the complete blueprint and progress of its implementation not
later than year-end.
One of the main drivers of our push for growth
and employment will be in the agricultural sector.
With regard to food supply, we are confronted
by a two-pronged problem: that which will hit us in the short term and that
which will hit us in the long term.
Tayo ay nahaharap sa mga problemang kagyat
nating mararamdaman at mga hamong pang-matagalan.
Ang mga suliraning agarang mararamdaman ng
ating mga kababayan ay ang posibilidad ng tuloy-tuloy na pagsipa ng presyo ng
pagkain at kakulangan sa suplay ng ating pagkain.
Upang masuportahan ang mga mamimili para
mapanatili ang kanilang purchasing power o kapangyarihan sa pagbili, isinapinal
ng Department of Agriculture ang planong taasan ang produksyon sa susunod na
panahon ng pagtatanim o planting season, sa pamamagitan ng tulong pinansiyal at
teknikal.
Magbibigay tayo ng pautang, habang mas
ilalapit natin sa sektor ng agrikultura ang hindi gaanong mahal na farm inputs
na bibilhin na ng bulto ng gobyerno.
Kabilang dito ang abono, pestisidyo, mga
punla, feeds, fuel subsidy at ayuda para sa mga karapat-dapat na benipisyaryo.
Para sa pang-matagalang solusyon: itataas
natin ang produksyon ng mga kalakal at produktong pang-agrikultura. At para
magawa ito, pagtitibayin natin ang tinatawag na value chain na nagsisimula sa
mga magsasaka hanggang sa mga namimili.
May mga bahagi ng value chain na sa ngayon ay
kanya-kanya ang operasyon. Pagtibayin natin ang koordinasyon ng iba’t ibang
bahagi nito.
Ang pagsasaliksik para sa mga makabagong
paraan ng pagtatanim at pag-aalaga ng hayop ay masusing gagabayan ng Department
of Agriculture.
Ang produksyon ng farm inputs o mga
kakailanganin ng mga magsasaka sa pagpapalago ng kanilang sakahan ay ating
iaayon sa mga hamong dala ng climate change at global warming.
Mahigpit na pagsusuri ang gagawin ng ating mga
eksperto tungo dito.
Ang mga pautang at financial assistance sa mga
magbubukid at mangingisda ay magiging institusyon at patakaran ng aking
administrasyon. [applause]
Ipaprayoridad natin ang modernisasyon ng mga
sakahan sa pamamagitan ng mga makabagong teknolohiya para sa ating mga
magsasaka. Ating palalawakin ang mga palaisdaan, babuyan at manukan. Lahat ng
ito, gagamitan ng siyensya para tumaas ang produksyong agrikultural. [applause]
Maging ang post-production at processing ay
susuportahan ng pamahalaan.
Gagawa tayo ng national network ng
farm-to-market roads upang mas mabilis na mailakbay ng mga magsasaka ang
kanilang mga produkto sa mga pamilihan.
At gagawa tayo ng mga paraan upang maramdaman
ng mga mamimili ang pagluluwag ng presyo ng mga produktong pagkain sa kayang
halaga, gaya ng muling pagbubuhay ng mga Kadiwa Centers.
Hindi ito magagawa sa isang araw, hindi
magagawa sa isang buwan, o isang taon lamang.
Ngunit kailangan na natin simulan NGAYON.
[applause]
Ang agrarian reform program ay dapat
magpatuloy.
Agrarian reform is not only about acquisition,
but also about support services and distribution.
To assist this, I intend to issue an executive
order to impose a one-year moratorium on the payment of land amortization and
interest payments. [applause]
This is included in Republic Act No. 11469 or
the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act.
A moratorium will give the farmers the ability
to channel their resources in developing their farms, maximizing their capacity
to produce, and propel the growth of our economy. [applause]
The civil society organizations also support
this because it will unburden the farmers of their dues and be able to focus on
improving farm productivity.
Congress must also pass a law that will
emancipate the agrarian reform beneficiaries from the agrarian reform debt
burden, thereby amending Section 26 of Republic Act 6657.
IN THIS LAW, THE LOANS OF AGRARIAN REFORM
BENEFICIARIES WITH UNPAID AMORTIZATION AND INTEREST SHALL BE CONDONED.
[applause]
Layunin ng batas na ito ay burahin ang hindi
mabayarang utang ng ating mga magsasaka na benipisyaryo ng agrarian reform.
Agrarian reform beneficiaries who are still to
receive their awarded land under the comprehensive agrarian reform program
shall receive it without any obligation to pay any amortization. [applause]
The condonation of the existing agrarian
reform loan will cover the amount of 58.125 billion pesos benefiting 654,000
agrarian reform beneficiaries and involving a total of 1.18 million hectares of
awarded lands. [applause]
Executive Order No. 75, Series of 2019
requires that all government agencies, bureaus, departments and
instrumentalities to turn over agricultural lands to qualified agrarian reform
beneficiaries.
At present we have a total of 52,000 hectares
of unused agricultural lands of the government which shall now be used for
distribution to the following sectors in accordance with Section 40 of the
Republic Act No. 6657, as amended, thus:
- Landless war
veterans
- Landless
surviving spouse and orphans of war veterans
- Landless
retirees of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine
National Police
Agricultural lands acquired under this program
will be given to graduates of college degrees in agriculture who are landless.
[applause]
The call of the times is for the infusion of
fresh and new blood in the agricultural sector. We need a new breed of farmers
equipped with modern agricultural technology able to engage in sustained
scientific farming that will not only increase farm yields, but also resilience
in the face of climate change. [applause]
They say that each brand has a story. As for
the Filipino brand, ours is deeply rooted in our rich cultural heritage and the
tourism sector plays an invaluable role in the promotion of the Filipino brand.
Tourism is not only an important economic
development tool but the abundance of opportunities that the sector creates in
terms of regular employment and even job creation at the grassroots level is
undeniable.
To boost our tourism industry, we will first
and foremost make basic developments such as road improvements for easier
access to tourism spots. We will also upgrade our airports and create more
international airports [applause] to help decongest the bottleneck in the
Manila Airport.
We will also make it more convenient for
travelers to go around the country, even to remote areas to help promote
undiscovered tourist spots. This program will be led by the Department of
Tourism, together with the Department of Public Works and Highways. [applause]
To foster the Filipino brand is to spark our
sense of pride and reaffirm our strong sense of identity. It is time to welcome
the rest of the world with an enhanced Filipino brand that is unique,
attractive, and creative.
The creativity of the Filipino is truly
world-class. We excel in arts and culture, new media, live events — avenues
which generate primary and downstream jobs for our creative and talented
countrymen. Unfortunately, ang mga hanapbuhay na ito ang unang pinadapa ng
pandemya at ang pinakahuli namang makakabalik sa normal.
The creative industry likewise faces many
challenges including workplace conditions, working hours, intellectual property
rights, and the welfare of our beloved freelancers who were left vulnerable
during the height of the pandemic.
We require an institutionalized creative
industry that will advance the interests of its stakeholders — sila na
nagbibigay ng kaluluwa at [pagkakilanlan] sa ating pagka-Pilipino. Protektahan
natin sila. [applause]
The Department of Social Welfare and
Development has a large part to play in all of this.
Magpapatuloy ang ating pagkalinga sa ating mga
kababayan na lubos na nangangailangan.
Hindi po natin sila pababayaan.
Mangunguna sa pag-aagapay sa kanila ang
Department of Social Welfare and Development.
Utos ko sa DSWD ang mabilis na pagtugon sa
pangangailangan ng mga biktima ng kalamidad at mga iba’t ibang krisis.
Ang mga field office nila ay inatasan na
maagang maglagak ng family food packs at non-food essentials sa mga LGU, bago
pa man manalasa ang anumang kalamidad.
Magdadagdag tayo ng mga operations center,
warehouse at imbakan ng relief goods, lalo na sa mga malalayong lugar na
mahirap marating.
Titiyakin natin na maayos ang koordinasyon ng
DSWD at Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development ng sa ganun,
madali ang pagpapatupad ng Emergency Shelter Assistance program para sa mga
biktima ng kahit anong kalamidad. [applause]
Pagtitibayin pa natin ang komprehensibong
programang ‘Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations’ o ang ating
tinatawag na AICS, para maiparating ang tulong sa mas maraming biktima.
[applause]
Hindi natin papahirapan ang mga biktima ng
krisis na dudulog sa ahensiya — gagawin nating simple ang proseso ng paghingi
at pagpaparating ng tulong. Dahil hindi naman dapat dinadagdagan pa ang hirap
na nararanasan ng ating mga mamamayan.
Upang matiyak na mapupunta sa kwalipikadong
mga pamilya ang tulong ng pamahalaan sa pamamagitan ng 4Ps o Pantawid Pamilyang
Pilipino Program, titiyakin natin na malilinis ang listahan ng benipisyaryo.
[applause]
Higit na sa isang milyong pangalan na ang
naka-graduate na sa listahan. At nagagalak akong mabatid na sila ay nakakatayo
na sa kanilang sariling paa.
Kaugnay nito ay inutusan ko ang DSWD na
pag-ibayuhin pa ang pagrepaso ng listahan upang maitutok ang pamimigay ng sapat
na ayuda sa mga lubos na nangangailangang pamilya.
Magpapatuloy ang supplemental feeding program
para sa mga bata sa Child Development Centers at Supervised Neighborhood Play,
at lalo pa nating palalawakin sa taong 2023. [applause]
Hindi rin natin nakakalimutan ang mga solo
parents at mga nanay na nahiwalay sa kanilang mga mister dahil sa karahasan.
Pagtitibayin natin ang programa sa Violence
Against Women and Their Children, kabilang na ang counselling para sa mga
biktima, katuwang ang ating mga LGU.
Tiyakin natin na sapat ang pondo sa halos
pitumpong residential care centers at pitong non-residential care centers para
sa vulnerable sectors at persons with disabilities na sumisilong dito.
Sa ating sitwasyon ng pangkalusugan, nariyan
pa rin ang banta ng COVID-19, lalo’t may mga nadidiskubreng bagong variants ng
coronavirus. Pero hindi na natin kakayanin ang isa pang lockdown. Wala na
tayong gagawing lockdown. [applause]
Dapat nating balansehin nang maayos ang
kalusugan at kapakanan ng ating mga mamamayan sa isang banda, at ang ekonomiya
naman sa kabilang banda.
Nakikipagtulungan ang iba’t ibang ahensya ng
pamahalaan sa pag-monitor sa mga COVID-19 hospital admission upang makatiyak
tayo na may sapat na kapasidad ang ating health care system at maiwasan ang
pagsipa ng bilang ng nagkakasakit.
Patuloy din ang ating vaccine booster rollout
para sa ating pangkalahatang depensa. [applause]
Sa ganitong paraan, kahit pa tumaas muli ang
bilang ng mga COVID cases, mananatiling mababa ang bilang ng mga maospital at
bilang ng mga namamatay.
Sa pamamagitan nito, unti-unti rin tayong
masasanay na nariyan ang virus pero hindi na seryoso ang banta sa ating buhay.
Iaayon natin ang ating mga health protocols sa
kung ano ang ating pangangailangan sa paglipas ng panahon at lalo pang
iibayuhin ang kooperasyon kasama ang pribadong sektor upang tumaas pa ang
kumpyansa ng mga mamumuhunan, nang sa gayon ay bumalik na tayo sa “full
capacity” lalong-lalo na ang ating mga negosyo. [applause]
Pagbubutihin pa natin ang pagpapakalat ng
tamang impormasyon ukol sa COVID, kasama ang kahalagahan ng bakuna.
Mananatili muna sa ngayon ang ating Alert
Level System natin. Pinapag-aralan natin ang ibang paraan ng klasipikasyon
upang mas babagay sa kasalukuyang sitwasyon lalong-lalo na sa pagbabago ng
COVID.
Sa pakikipagtulungan ng Kongreso, itatatag
natin ang ating sariling Center for Disease Control and Prevention at ang isang
vaccine institute. [applause]
Magtatayo tayo ng dagdag na mga health center
at ospital.
But beyond the issues that the pandemic has
brought, the need for a stronger health care system is self-evident. We must
bring medical services to the people and not wait for them to come to our
hospitals and health care centers. [applause]
Napakinabangan natin nang husto ang malalaking
specialty hospitals gaya ng Heart Center, Lung Center, Children’s Hospital at
National Kidney and Transplant Institute. Kaya maliwanag na na hindi lang dapat
dito sa National Capital Region, kundi maging sa ibang parte ng bansa…
[applause and cheers] Maliwanag na hindi lamang dapat dito lamang sa National
Capital Region kundi maging sa ibang parte ng bansa kailangan magdagdag ng
ganitong uri ng mga pagamutan. [applause]
Bukod dito, upang mailapit natin ang health
care system sa taumbayan nang hindi sila kailangang pumunta sa sentro ng
kanilang bayan, lalawigan o region, ay maglalagay tayo ng mga clinic, mga RHU
na pupuntahan ng mga doktor, nurse, midwife, medtech, isang beses, dalawang
beses sa isang linggo — nang sa gayon, magiging mas madali sa may karamdaman na
magpapagamot nang hindi na kailangang magbiyahe nang malayo. [applause]
One of the cornerstones of a strong healthcare
system is the provision of competent and efficient medical professionals. We
will exert all efforts to improve the welfare of our doctors, our nurses, and
other medical frontliners. [applause]
Dapat din tayong magkaroon ng sapat na suplay
ng gamot na kinakailangan sa pang-araw-araw ng ating mga mamamayan.
Sinimulan ko na ang pakikipag-usap sa mga
kumpanya ng gamot dito sa Pilipinas at sa ibang bansa. Hinihikayat natin na
buksan nila ang merkado upang bumaba ang presyo ng gamot. [applause]
Halimbawa, kung mas marami ang mas murang
generic o hindi branded na gamot sa merkado, mas bababa rin ang presyo dahil sa
kumpetisyon.
Ang Department of Trade and Industry ay
nakikipag-usap sa mga interesadong manufacturer ng generic drugs na papasok sa
ating bansa. [applause]
Inuutusan ko naman ang Philippine Competition
Commission na pantay-pantay dapat at walang kartel sa hanay ng mga
pharmaceutical companies. [applause and cheers] Dahil kapag bukas ang merkado,
bababa ang presyo ng gamot para mapakinabangan ng ating mga mamamayan.
This is one of the hard lessons that we
learned when the pandemic struck, and therefore, we must act on that
shortcoming. [applause]
In the educational sector, I believe it is
time for our children to return to full face-to-face classes once again.
[applause]
The Department of Education, led by our highly
able Vice President Sara Duterte, [applause] is now preparing for its
implementation in the upcoming school year, with utmost consideration for the
safety of students, as we are still in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic.
We must ensure that our classrooms are safe
for teachers, for students, and the entire academic community when they return
to face-to-face classes.
We continue to encourage everyone to get their
booster shots in preparation for the resumption of in-person classes.
[applause]
This is one of the reasons I have directed the
Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of the Interior and Local
Government (DILG) to undertake another rollout of booster shots. [applause]
The condition and availability of school rooms
for our students must also be addressed, again, in coordination with the
Department of Public Works and Highways.
Though some complications have arisen over the
question of repair of school buildings in relation to the Mandanas-Garcia
ruling, this will be ironed out.
We have been in discussion with local
government leaders, Governors and Mayors, in the last few weeks to determine,
with the LGUs, what is actually practicable, what functions belong to the LGUs
and what belong to the National Government.
There have also been lengthy discussions on
the continuation and viability of the K to 12 school system. We are giving this
a careful review, and all necessary inputs and points of view are now being
considered.
In the longer term, we are instituting a
program of refresher courses and re-trainings for our teachers so they can stay
abreast of the rapid growth in technology, especially in this post-pandemic
world. [applause]
As for the ‘horror’ stories that we have heard
about the poor quality of educational materials and supplies that are being
given to our schools — this must end! [applause]
Our children must always be equipped with the
best that we can provide.
Ang edukasyon ay ang tangi nating pamana sa
ating mga anak na hindi mawawaldas. Kaya anumang gastusin sa kanilang pag-aaral
ay hindi tayo nagtitipid. Hindi rin tayo nagtatapon.
And once again, I am not talking about
history, or what is being taught. I am talking about materials that are
necessary for effective teaching in this day and age.
Children now need connectivity to the
internet; they need devices to use; they need computers, educational tools
[applause] so that they might participate fully in the digital community here
and abroad.
We must do better in the international
rankings especially when it comes to the so-called STEM subjects: Science,
Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.
These skills and this knowledge are necessary
for our young people to be able to compete in a highly technological and
competitive world.
The raw talent is there in our young people.
It is up to our educational system to develop and to refine that great pool of
talent. [applause]
Foreign employers have always favored Filipino
employees because of our command of the English language. This is an advantage
that we must continue to enjoy.
The internet has now become the global
marketplace. Not only for goods services but also for ideas, even extending to
our own personal interactions.
The language of the internet — for better or
for worse — is English.
Therefore, the question of our medium of
instruction must be continuously re-examined to maintain that advantage that we
have established as an English-speaking people. [applause]
On a related subject, we are entering an age
of exponential adoption of technology. It is the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
This will be characterized by the infusion of
technology into almost every facet of our lives. Breakthrough technologies in
the areas of quantum computing, artificial intelligence, nano technologies, the
internet of things, robotics, self-driving electric vehicles, 3D printing,
Virtual and Augmented Reality, among others that will radically transform the
way business is done.
The scale and the speed at which these
innovations are introduced universally into our everyday lives and activities
is unprecedented in our recorded history.
We cannot stand idly by.
The mission of our Department of Information
and Communications Technology is to identify and utilize these innovations to
improve governance.
It has the daunting task now of transforming
our government into an agile bureaucracy that is responsive to the needs of the
public, provide good and solid data to ensure informed decision-making, as well
as allow secure and seamless access to public services.
The voluminous records stored in the
government warehouses and archives have to be digitized. Those that are already
stored in various inventories of data should be harmonized and shared across
departments and agencies.
Needless to say, these have to be kept in
large data centers that are secure yet accessible.
The National ID will play an important part in
this digital transformation. [applause]
For citizens to be able to seamlessly transact
with government, their identity must be easily verifiable.
We expect to issue 30-million physical IDs and
20-million digital IDs by the end of this year. [applause] The target is to
accomplish the issuance of about 92-million IDs by the middle of next year.
As the world moves into rapid digitalization,
the digital divide will become more pronounced. The depth and breadth at which
these technologies will be transformative in our lives is fully expected.
This will open new opportunities for the
creation of wealth but will also likely create inequalities.
Hence, universal connectivity will be a vital
component in order to ensure that no citizen is left behind. [applause]
I have therefore tasked the DICT to deploy digital
connectivity across our various islands. This will be done through the
implementation of the National Broadband Plan, the common tower program,
connecting our Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDA) via our
‘Broad Band ng Masa’ project. [applause]
All relevant modes of digital transport should
be utilized. These may be through a combination of terrestrial or submarine
fiber optics, wireless and even satellite technology.
As our Public Service Act has opened the doors
and removed the restrictions on foreign investment, we foresee an increase in
direct investment of overseas players.
This will translate into better quality,
availability and affordability of telecommunications services all over the
country.
We come now to infrastructure. The backbone of
an economy is its infrastructure.
The infrastructure program of the Duterte
administration must not only continue but, wherever possible, be expanded.
[applause]
We shall confidently build on this firm
foundation established by my predecessor. As it is in building an edifice.
We must keep the momentum. And aspire to BUILD
BETTER MORE.
Necessarily, infrastructure development will
remain a very high priority in our drive for growth and employment.
Once again, I will not suspend any of the
ongoing projects as those have already been shown to be of benefit to the
public that they serve. [applause]
We will continue to study the proposals that
have been made.
Infrastructure development spending will be
sustained at 5% to 6% of GDP.
The planned expansion of infrastructure
projects, I believe, would be possible if we continue to encourage the
participation of the private sector in the development of our programs.
Public Private Partnerships or PPPs hold great
potential for that expansion, [applause] for infrastructure development and for
innovation.
Our infrastructure development is of primary
importance as it is a necessary element to improve many other sectors — to
include agriculture, tourism, general economic activity, and even to
governance.
It is my belief also that we have missed some
great opportunities to develop our rail transport system.
It is clear in my mind that railways offer
great potential as it continues to be the cheapest way of transporting goods
and passengers.
We can build upon already existing lines by
modernizing these old railway systems.
There are dozens of railway projects – on the
ground, above the ground, below ground, not just in Manila, but in other
regions – at various stages of implementation, and with a combined cost of 1.9
trillion pesos. [applause]
This Administration is committed to finish
building the current portfolio of investments: approved railway projects such
as the North-South Commuter Railway System, [applause] the 33-kilometer Metro
Manila Subway Project, the 147-kilometer North-South Commuter Railway System,
the 12-kilometer LRT-1 Cavite Extension, [applause] the 23-kilometer MRT-7, and
the Common Station that will connect LRT-1, MRT-3 and MRT-7.
And beyond NCR, larger scale railway systems
like the 102-kilometer Mindanao Railway Project; [applause] the Panay Railway
Project; [applause] and the Cebu railway system will be integrated as a vital
part of our transport and communications systems.
We will also continue to improve our roads and
transportation systems in key cities throughout the country through various
projects such as the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit, Davao High Priority Bus System,
Ilocos Norte Transportation Hub, and the El Nido Transport Terminal. [applause]
My order to the Department of Transportation or
DOTr is really very simple: FULL SPEED AHEAD! [applause]
Improving our railway system, along with
modernizing existing airports and seaports, will maximize our strategic
location in the Pacific. And connect our many islands.
A key sector in our transformation plans is
that of energy.
Another fundamental requirement for growth and
increased employment will be the availability of cheap, reliable energy. This
even comes under the category of “ease of doing business”. If we are to attract
investors, both local and foreign, to set up shop here in the Philippines.
At present, our demand for energy far exceeds
our reliable supply. We must increase the level of energy production. We must
look at every possible option that would be appropriate for the Philippine
situation. There is some room to expand our present power supply through
existing power sources, but this is only to a very limited extent. We must
build new power plants. [applause] We must take advantage of all the best
technology that is now available, especially in the areas of renewable energy.
[applause]
Our search for new power sources should always
be with an eye to improving the mix of the energy supply between traditional
and renewable sources.
The technology on renewable energy is
progressing rapidly. And many of these technologies are appropriate for the Philippines.
We have already begun windmill power. We are now expanding very quickly our
solar power production.
For both offshore and on-shore wind turbines,
for example, the World Bank has calculated that there is the potential of 255
gigawatts by the year of 2030. [applause]
Solar power has steadily increased its
efficiency in converting sunlight to electrical power, which is particularly
attractive for the Philippines. Because unlike wind power, solar power is
practical almost everywhere in the Philippines all year round.
In the move to lowering our carbon footprint
caused by energy production, our advancement to renewables will have a lead
time.
In the interim, natural gas will hold the key.
We will provide investment incentives by clarifying the uncertain policy in
upstream gas, particularly in the area close to Malampaya.
This requires clarification of the processes
and review of service contracts policy.
I believe that it is time also to re-examine
our strategy towards building nuclear power plants in the Philippines.
[applause]
We will comply of course with the
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) regulations for nuclear power plants
as they have been strengthened after Fukushima. In the area of nuclear power,
there have been new technologies developed that allow smaller scale modular
nuclear plants and other derivations thereof.
Once again, PPPs will play a part in support
as funding in this period is limited. [applause]
Furthermore, we must examine the entire system
of transmission and distribution for the purpose of finding ways to lower the
price of energy to the consumer and to industry.
We must expand the network of our transmission
lines while examining schemes to improve the operation of our electrical
cooperatives. All this in aid of reducing energy cost especially but not
limited to households. [applause]
All this impetus for development and growth,
we undertake within the context of accelerating climate change and extreme
weather conditions.
Though we are a minor contributor to climate
change globally, we have the unfortunate distinction of being one of the most
vulnerable countries to the effects of climate change.
For the welfare of our people, it is incumbent
upon us to alleviate the effects of that vulnerability.
The use of renewable energy is at the top of
our climate agenda. We will increase our use of renewable energy sources such
as hydropower, geothermal power, solar, and wind.
Geographically, we are a disaster-prone
country. Capacity building for our natural disaster resiliency is therefore a
must. Investment in science and technology is imperative to enable us to have
accurate weather forecasts and on-time disaster alerts.
Studies show that already now many areas in
the Philippines are at high risk from the rise in sea levels brought about by
the increase in global temperature. We must adapt to this phenomenon with
disaster-proof planning of our communities.
We will also look into the precarious fresh
water supply situation in the country, especially in our urban areas. Many of
our water supply systems date back to the 1950’s, and they must now be
rehabilitated and improved.
I have instructed the DENR together with the
DPWH, to explore possible partnerships with the private sector to address this
crucial situation.
The Philippines has excellent laws on the
environment, but we have to guarantee that these laws are properly enforced.
And this will require a great deal of coordination and cooperation between
concerned government agencies and private stakeholders.
Companies who exploit our natural resources
must follow the law. We all have the responsibility to preserve this Earth, for
we are but custodians, and we will pass on this great treasure to future
generations. [applause]
There is no question that the preservation of
the environment is the preservation of life. [applause]
If we cannot mitigate climate change, all our
plans for the economy, all our plans for our future, will be for naught.
Bawat Pilipino sa ibayong dagat na
nagsasakripisyong lisanin ang kanyang pamilya sa Pilipinas upang mag-hanapbuhay
ay nararapat lamang magkaroon ng pamahalaang matatawag nilang “tahanan” habang
nasa ibang bayan. [applause]
Ito ang papel na gagampanan ng Kagawaran ng
Manggagawang Mandarayuhan o Department of Migrant Workers matapos itong
ideklara bilang ganap na ahensiya ng gobyerno noong isang taon. [applause]
Ang kagawarang ito ang magsisilbing kanlungan
ng ating mga kababayan sa gitna ng mundong walang kasiguruhan at mahigpit na
kumpetisyon. Ito ang maglalatag sa kanila ng mga oportunidad; titiyak na ang
kanilang mga hanapbuhay ay tugma sa kanilang mga kasanayan; maninigurong akma
ang sahod at maayos ang kalagayan sa kanilang mga kumpanya; at mangangalaga sa
kanilang mga pamilya habang sila ay nasa malayo.
Gagawin natin ito sa pamamagitan ng pag-aalis
ng red tape sa sistema ng pagsusulong ng digital empowerment. We shall automate
the verification of contracts and issue secure Overseas Employment Certifications
(OEC) that you can keep on your smartphone. I call on the Department of Migrant
Workers and the DICT to make this a top priority. [applause]
Tinatawagan ko rin ang Department of Foreign
Affairs na makipagtulungan sa Department of Migrant Workers na tiyakin ang
lahat ng mga diplomatic post ay tutulong na agarang maibalik sa trabaho ang mga
ating mga Overseas Filipino workers na nawalan ng hanapbuhay nitong nakalipas
na ilang taon. [applause]
Mula sa tatlong buwan ay gagawin na lang
nating tatlong linggo para sa isang dayuhang employer na i-proseso ang mga
papeles ng Pilipinong nais nitong kunin bilang empleyado. [applause]
Aatasan din natin ang kagawaran na gawing
simple ang kumplikadong handbook ng mga tuntunin at regulasyon para sa mga OFW,
nang sa gayon ay maging maalwan ang mga transaksyong may kinalaman sa kanilang
pangingibang-bansa.
Mula sa handbook na may dalawang daan at
apatnapung (240) seksyon ay gagawin nating pamphlet na lamang na hindi hihigit
sa isandaang pahina. [applause]
Mahirap na nga ang buhay, kaya naman ayaw pa
natin makitang lalo pang nahihirapan ang ating mga manggagawang mandarayuhan sa
pagtupad sa kanilang mga pangarap.
Para sa mga kababayan nating naiipit sa
kaguluhan, inaabuso, at nanganganib ang buhay, ikinagagalak kong sa ilalim ng
aking pamumuno, ay ilulunsad natin ang One Repatriation Command Center o ORCC.
Ilalaan natin ang isang social media platform ng Department of Migrant Workers
at ang hotline upang matulungan agad at mailigtas sila mula sa mas higit na
kapahamakan. [applause]
Noon, nangungutang pa ang isang ina ng bawat
OFW upang sumakay ng barko para pumunta sa Maynila at mangatok sa iba’t ibang
ahensiya para mapauwi ang anak na inaapi. Ngayon, kami na ang tatawag sa mga
magulang ng OFWs [applause] para sabihin sa kanila ang petsa kung kailan nila
mayayakap at makakapiling ang kanilang mga anak. [applause]
Sa kasalukuyan ay nakikipag-ugnayan tayo sa
pamahalaan ng Saudi Arabia upang buksang muli ang deployment. Kaya natin, at
gagawin natin, ang makipag-negosasyon na mabigyan ang ating mga kababayan doon
ng tamang pasahod, at mapangalagaan ang kanilang karapatan at kapakanan.
Muli nating pagtitibayin ang respeto at
pagkakaibigan ng ating dalawang bansa tulad ng namagitan sa aking ama at sa
kanilang hari.
Sa mga susunod na buwan ay magtutungo si
Secretary Susan Ople sa Saudi Arabia upang tiyakin na may sapat na puwersang
magsisiguro na mabubuksang muli ang empleyo sa bansa, [applause] at para
maisulong ang ating kampanya laban sa human trafficking.
Ngayon, para naman sa mga anak na naiwan sa
Pilipinas. Titiyakin ng Department of Migrant Workers, sa pamamagitan ng OWWA,
na sila ay maipapasok sa magagandang paaralang magtuturo sa kanila ng financial
literacy, mental wellness, sports, sining at kultura. Ito ay mangyayari sa pakikipagtulungan
ng iba’t ibang ahensiya ng pamahalaan. Alagaan natin ang kabataang Pilipino
sapagkat sila ang kinabukasan ng ating Inang Bayan. [applause]
Sa ating mga kababayan na nasa ibang bansa:
You deserve a Home in Government not only for the money that you send home, but
you are not cold tools of the economy. You deserve it for your sacrifices, for
our country and your perseverance and excellence in the global arena.
You, OFWs, represent the fighting faith of the
Filipinos as a nation and as a people. Let us transform your overseas journey
into inspirational stories for all time.
Thanks to you, our dear legislators, and of
course, to the man, every OFW now refers to as their “Tatay”, President Rodrigo
Duterte. You passed the law that created this new home for our OFWs. [applause]
On the area of foreign policy, I will not
preside over any process that will abandon even one square inch of territory of
the Republic of the Philippines to any foreign power. [applause and cheers]
With respect to our place in the community of
nations, the Philippines shall continue to be a friend to all, an enemy to
none.
The Philippines has always been open and
welcoming to all our foreign friends and visitors. That is our world view, that
is our culture.
BUT LET ME BE CLEAR. WE ARE VERY JEALOUS OF
ALL THAT IS FILIPINO. [applause]
We will be a good neighbor — always looking
for ways to collaborate and cooperate with the end goal of mutually beneficial
outcomes.
If we agree, we will cooperate and we will
work together. And if we differ, let us talk some more until we develop a
consensus.
After all, that is THE FILIPINO WAY.
But we will not waver. We will stand firm in
our independent foreign policy, with the national interest as our primordial
guide. [applause]
We commit to maintaining good relations with
the rest of the world.
As a matter of fact, it is my sincere belief
that the need for strong bonds and collaboration among nations emerges in the
direst of times, such as in a pandemic.
The partnerships and alliances that we make
with all will provide the stability that all nations will need as we emerge
into this new global economy.
The Philippines will continue to promote
stronger and multi-faceted relationships with all our partners around the
world.
We are, in fact, grateful for the messages of
support and offers of help that we have received from many of our friends in
the international community. This has been communicated to us through the
different Envoys and the Ambassadors here in the Philippines.
Such strong relationships can only be
beneficial to all involved.
As I am here today addressing the legislature,
allow me now to propose legislation that we would like you to pass in support
of these programs:
1. National Government
Rightsizing Program (NGRP) [applause]
A reform mechanism that seeks to enhance the
government’s institutional capacity to perform its mandate and to provide
better services, while ensuring optimal and efficient use of resources.
Compared to previous government reorganization
efforts, the NGRP will entail a comprehensive strategic review of the
functions, operations, organization, systems and processes of the different
agencies, and massive and transformational initiatives in agencies concerned,
such as mergers, consolidation, splitting, transfer, and even the abolition of
some offices. The rightsizing efforts will also involve the conduct of a
comprehensive strategic review of functions, programs and projects that will
cut across various agencies.
2. Budget Modernization
Bill
This seeks to institutionalize the Cash-based
Budgeting System (CBS) under Executive Order No. 91, Series 2019 to strengthen
fiscal discipline in the allocation and use of budget resources by ensuring
that every peso budgeted by the government would lead to the actual delivery of
programs and projects. The full implementation of the CBS is timely and vital
as the government executes response and recovery plans post- pandemic.
3. Tax Package 3:
Valuation Reform Bill
This bill provides for the :
(a) establishment
of real property values and valuation standards across the country and (b) the
development of Real Property Information System that provides for the database
of all real property transactions and declarations in the country
4. Passive Income and
Financial Intermediary Taxation Act (PIFITA)
This seeks to reform the taxation of capital
income and financial services by redesigning the financial sector taxation into
simpler, fairer, more efficient and a revenue neutral tax system. It also represents
to adopt a regionally competitive tax system.
5. E-Government Act
Which provides for the establishment of the
E-Government Master Plan which shall cover all e-government services and
processes.
6. Internet Transaction
Act or E-Commerce Law
Which aims to establish an effective
regulation of commercial activities through the internet or electronic means to
ensure that consumer rights and data privacy are protected, innovation is
encouraged, fair advertising practices and competition are promoted, online
transactions are secured, intellectual property rights are protected, and
product standards and safety are observed.
7. Government Financial
Institutions Unified Initiatives to Distressed Enterprises for Economic
Recovery (GUIDE)
This seeks to provide financial assistance to
distressed enterprises critical to economic recovery through programs and
initiatives to be implemented by the Land Bank of the Philippines, the
Development Bank of the Philippines and the Philippine Guarantee Corporation
for purposes of addressing liquidity or solvency problems of MSMEs and
strategically important industries, to encourage their continued operations and
maintain employment. [applause]
8. The Establishment of a
Medical Reserve Corps
Establishes a Medical Reserve Corp (MRC) under
the Health and Emergency Management Bureau (HEMB) of the DOH. The MRC shall be
composed of licensed physicians, medical students who have completed their four
(4) years of medical course, graduates of medicine, registered nurses, and
licensed allied health professionals.
9. National Disease
Prevention Management Authority
This bill seeks to create the Center for
Disease Prevention and Control (CDC), attached to the DOH. [applause]
10. Creation of the
Virology Institute of the Philippines
This will create the Virology Science and
Technology Institute of the Philippines (VIP) as an attached agency of the
DOST. All offices and units under the DOST with functions related to virology
shall now be transferred to the Virology Institute of the Philippines.
11. Department of Water
Resources
This seeks to create the Department of Water
Resources and adopts the Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) as the
strategic framework for national water management, policymaking and planning.
12. Unified System of
Separation, Retirement and Pension
This grants a monthly disability pension, in
lieu of disability benefits provided under existing laws, for military and
uniformed personnel (MUPs) retired by reasons of disability. [applause]
13. E-Governance Act
It promotes the use of internet, intranet and
other ICT to provide opportunities for citizens.
14. National Land Use Act [applause]
This will provide for a rational and holistic
management and development of our country’s land and water resources; hold
owners accountable for making these lands productive and sustainable;
strengthen the LGU to manage ecological balance within its jurisdiction. It
also provides for Land Use and Physical Planning/Framework as a mechanism in
determining policies and principles to implement this legislative measure.
15. National Defense Act
This seeks to amend the antiquated National
Defense Act of 1935 to provide for a change in the military structure of the
Armed Forces of the Philippines that is more responsive to current and future
non-conventional security threats to the country’s territorial integrity and
national sovereignty. [applause]
16. Mandatory Reserve
Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) and National Service Training Program (NSTP) [applause]
This seeks to reinstitute the ROTC program as
a mandatory component of senior high school programs (Grades 11 and 12) in all
public and private tertiary-level educational institutions. The aim is to
motivate, train, organize and mobilize the students for national defense
preparedness, including disaster preparedness and capacity building for
risk-related situations. [applause]
17. Enactment of an
Enabling Law for the Natural Gas Industry
This seeks to foster the development of the
Midstream Natural Gas Industry in a bid to strengthen Philippine energy
security by diversifying the country’s primary sources of energy and promoting
the role of natural gas as a complementary fuel to variable renewable energy.
[applause]
18. Amendments to the
Electric Power Industry Reform Act or EPIRA (Rep. Act No. 9136) [applause]
This aims to improve the implementation of the
law’s provisions and enhance its effectiveness to address high cost of
electricity, alleged market collusion, and insufficient power supply.
The bill seeks to restructure the Energy
Regulation Commission (ERC) to foster accountability and improve the
commission’s government system that would ensure consumer protection and in
enhancing the competitive operation of the electricity market.
19. Amendments to the
Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) Law
This seeks to improve the implementation of
the Public Private Partnership (PPP) Program and to be able to direct the
desired outputs and outcomes in line with the strategic development targets of
the country. Specifically, the amendments seek to:
- Address the
ambiguities in the existing law;
- Address the
bottlenecks and challenges affecting the implementation of the PPP
Program; and,
- Foster a more
competitive and enabling environment for PPPs.
To my fellow Filipinos, ang aking mga
minamahal na kababayan.
Batid ko na hindi madali ang ating pinagdaraanan
sa nakaraang higit na dalawang taon.
Alam ko rin na ang bawat isa sa inyo ay
ginagawa ang lahat ng inyong makakaya upang patuloy na harapin ang lahat ng
pagsubok sa kasalukuyan.
I do not intend to diminish the risks and the
challenges that we face in this turbulent time in global history, and yet, I
see sunlight filtering through these dark clouds.
We have assembled the BEST Filipino minds to
help navigate us through this global crisis that we are now facing.
We will endure. [applause] Let our Filipino
spirit ever remain undimmed. [applause]
I know this in my mind, I know it in my heart,
I know it in my very soul … THE STATE OF THE NATION IS SOUND.
Thank you and good afternoon. Marami pong
salamat sa inyong lahat. [applause and cheers]
— END —
Source:
https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2021/07/26/ferdinand-r-marcos-jr-first-state-of-the-nation-address-july-25-2022/
