In his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. emphasized the country’s improved economic condition and reiterated the government’s commitment to enhancing the lives of Filipinos.
“Kung datos lang ang pag-uusapan, maganda ang ating ekonomiya at tumaas ang kumpiyansa ng mga negosyante. Bumaba ang inflation, at dumami rin ang trabaho (If we talk about data alone, our economy is doing well and business confidence increased. Inflation eased and employment also went up),” Marcos stated.
According to the latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority, inflation settled at 1.4 percent in June this year, aided by government measures that helped ease food prices. The number of employed Filipinos rose to 50.29 million in May this year, up from 48.87 million in the same month in 2024.
However, Marcos acknowledged that these statistics are meaningless if the Filipino people continue to struggle. “Ngunit ang lahat ng ito ay palamuti lamang at walang saysay, kung ang ating kababayan naman ay hirap at nabibigatan sa kanilang buhay (But all of this is just decoration and meaningless, if our countrymen are struggling and burdened with their lives),” he added.
To address these challenges, Marcos announced that the government would intensify efforts to create more employment opportunities for Filipinos. “Maayos na hanapbuhay talaga ang mabisang pantiyak laban sa kahirapan at laban sa gutom. Dumarami ang mga nalilikhang hanapbuhay sa ating bansa ngayon (A stable employment is truly an effective assurance against poverty and hunger. The number of job opportunities being created in our country is increasing),” he said.
The President outlined that various government agencies, including the Department of Labor and Employment, the Department of Trade and Industry, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, and the Department of Tourism, would collaborate to provide opportunities for unemployed Filipinos. He also mentioned that the government would continue to offer funding with low interest rates and no collateral to support entrepreneurs.
Marcos expressed his determination to assist nearly two and a half million poor families in starting their own small businesses, stating, “Hindi tayo titigil hanggang halos dalawa’t kalahating milyong maralitang pamilya ang natulungan nating magkaroon ng kanilang sariling maliit na negosyo (We will not stop until we have helped nearly two and a half million poor families start their own small businesses).”
He further emphasized the government’s plans to grow various industries, including car manufacturing, molding, electronics, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, critical minerals, Filipino textiles, Halal, construction, and power plants.
In closing, Marcos urged businesses to invest in the Philippines, particularly in the agriculture sector. “And my singular resounding message to the international business community is this: The Philippines is ready. Invest in the Filipino. Our cavalcade of dependable and hardworking Filipinos, innately skilled, adaptable, and possessed with a heart for service, are here, ready to work and to succeed with you,” he declared.