SONA. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday (July 22, 2024) delivers his third State of the Nation Address. The part where he talked about the campaign against illegal drugs and the closure of the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators turned out to be among the most applauded parts. (Screenshot from RTVM)
BAGUIO CITY – Residents in the Cordillera lauded President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., during his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, for his pro-people message, especially on ordering the closure of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) operations.
"Very good for ending POGOs in the country because these people are coming here abusing the leniency of the Filipino people and the corrupt government officials because they could not operate in other Asian countries," said engineer Antonio Domesag, a retiree who served as mayor of a town in Abra province and a Provincial Board member.
As a simple person living with a meager pension, he appreciates the President for his order against the POGOs as he felt for families who have members hooked to gambling or victimized in the operation, especially the illegal POGO operations.
Also, Laoag City Mayor Michael Keon lauded the President’s stand to abolish domestic POGO operations within the year.
"Yours truly was impressed by the strength and the eloquence of the President’s presentation. I was particularly impressed by three key points,” he said.
Aside from the abolition of POGO operations in the country, the President, in his speech at the House of Representatives, also gave a clear stand on the West Philippine Sea issue.
"It was reassuring to hear the President emphasize the Philippines' sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea, standing firm against any encroachment. This is the very reason that yours truly allowed the holding of Balikatan Exercises here in Laoag, off the coast of the sand dunes because it is imperative that we send a message to the Chinese about respecting our nautical territory,” he said in a post on his official Facebook account.
Anti-illegal drugs
"I congratulate him for his humanitarian feelings of unbounded clemency to those who are into drugs, either as a user or pusher, for not using execution techniques because of human values. They are also human beings who deserve to live," Domesag said.
For his part, Keon expressed support for the Marcos administration as he underscored the need to uphold human rights in all anti-drug efforts."The President stressed that the campaign against illegal drugs will continue but in a disciplined manner and within the bounds of the rule of law. ‘Extermination’ can never be part of a legitimate anti-illegal drugs campaign, he said.
Teachers’ welfare
Domesag expressed appreciation for the President's attention to the teachers.
"I appreciate him for his concern to the plight of the teachers and their sacrifices but I am a little bit sad because they forgot the nurses who spent much money in their education but receive meager salaries,” he said.
Novy Afidchao, a local government employee in Mountain Province said, "While I am disappointed that Pres. Marcos once again ignored CAR's (Cordillera Administrative Region) clamor for autonomy, I'm glad that he mentioned more career opportunities for teachers in the Basic Education.”
“Hopefully, teachers in the basic education sector will have the same opportunities with those at the tertiary level, especially in state colleges and universities wherein one can actually reach as high as SG-27 (Professor IV). The chances in public tertiary education are almost limitless vs. in basic education,” he said. PNA
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