Bicolanos have commended President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for addressing the country’s pressing issues and outlining specific plans during his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) delivered on Monday.
Albay 1st District Board Member Sheina Onrubia-Dela Cruz expressed enthusiasm for the focus on social services, particularly in literacy, nutrition, health, and good governance. “I was even more excited about the concrete programs that will benefit Albayanos, especially in agriculture, power and energy, and transport,” she said, highlighting the expansion of free public Wi-Fi and disaster-resilient facilities.
Ken Tabuena, a disaster management NGO worker, noted that Marcos’ SONA resonated with the public, especially regarding recent disasters. He appreciated the President’s use of Filipino, which he felt connected with the masses. “The calling of the President, particularly on the Department of Public Works and Highways, is the highlight of his speech as he promises that the DPWH must provide a performance audit,” Tabuena added.
Merlie Barba, a teacher from Pangilao Elementary School, expressed happiness over the prioritization of education improvements, particularly the provision of new laptops for teachers. “I hope this will be implemented,” she said.
Lily Nocomora from Legazpi City acknowledged Marcos’ commitment to addressing the consequences of disasters and holding corrupt officials accountable. “This demonstrates his commitment to genuine solutions,” she stated.
Geraldine Posadas from Donsol, Sorsogon, was pleased to hear about the zero balance billing program from the Department of Health, ensuring access to hospital services without financial burden.
Meanwhile, public school teachers in Daraga, Albay praised the Free Wi-Fi for All program launched by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT). Christene Villanueva, ICT coordinator at Mabini Elementary School, highlighted the program’s transformative impact on education. “Providing reliable and free Wi-Fi in school facilitates better access to online learning resources,” she said.
Before the program, students faced challenges due to limited resources and remote location. “After gaining Wi-Fi access, the situation significantly improved,” Villanueva noted, allowing students to participate in virtual classes and access information online.
Grade 5 learner Francheska Ysabelle dela Mar expressed gratitude for the free Wi-Fi, stating, “It makes it easier to understand the lessons by watching videos.” Kindergarten teacher Marife Montero also praised the program for enhancing lesson preparation, allowing her to use technology effectively in the classroom.