Last year in a barangay in Bulacan, families watched helplessly as floodwaters rose even after new drainage systems were built. Later, it was found that funds meant for the project had been misused—part of the nearly ₱25 billion the administration has since recovered or frozen, with charges filed against those responsible.
For these families, this was not just a news story; it was proof that good plans mean nothing if they are not carried out honestly and carefully. This gap between what we promise and what actually happens is exactly what President Marcos addressed in his 2026 State of the Nation Address, anchored on one clear goal: “UPLIFT — to lift up our struggling citizens.”
The core challenge facing our government is simple: policies often look good on paper, but fail when put into practice because we do not fully account for real-life conditions. This is not a new problem, but it matters more now as we work to rebuild and move forward.
The solution lies in policy analysis: treating government plans not as fixed rules that never change, but as ongoing efforts that need regular checking, feedback, and adjustment based on what we see on the ground. This is not just an academic idea—it is a practical way to make sure every law, project, and program truly serves the people it is meant to help.
We see this gap in almost every area the President spoke of. In energy, for example, the practice of passing “systems loss” charges and extra taxes to households was never the original goal of power reforms—it happened because no one went back to check if the rules were still working for ordinary families.
In schools, bringing back experienced teachers from abroad will only succeed if we also fix working conditions, pay, and classroom needs that teachers face every day. Even in protecting our rights in the West Philippine Sea, laws and statements are not enough—we need plans that match the daily realities of our fisherfolk and our security forces.
In every case, policies fail not because their goals are wrong, but because we stop paying attention once they are signed.
The cost of this gap is heavy for all Filipinos. We lose billions of pesos to misuse and unfinished projects. Families pay more for electricity and basic goods than they should. Small businesses struggle under rules that do not fit their needs. People lose trust when they see promises unkept and funds wasted.
The flood control irregularities and unfair power charges are clear examples: both happened because we did not keep checking how plans were being carried out, and did not listen to feedback from those affected.
To fix this, we can use a straightforward, four-step approach that experts have long recommended for good governance: design, carry out, check, and adjust.
First, we must plan carefully using real information and listening to the people who will be affected. Second, we must carry out the plan with clear rules and honest oversight. Third, we must regularly check if it is actually working and helping people. Fourth, we must make changes when needed—no plan is perfect from the start.
This cycle ensures policies stay useful and fair, even as times and situations change.
This approach works in real life. Take the government’s Kadiwa stores and Benteng Bigas program, for example. When supply chains were first set up, some areas still faced shortages or high prices. By listening to vendors, farmers, and residents, officials adjusted delivery schedules and added more collection points—helping keep food prices steady for families across the country.
When bringing back OFWs from conflict zones, authorities learned quickly that transport home was not enough; they also needed immediate cash aid and help finding jobs, so support was expanded accordingly.
These examples show that policy analysis is not about endless paperwork—it is about making sure every peso and every effort counts.
The proposed tax relief—lowering taxes for middle-income earners, removing extra taxes for small businesses, and giving one-time relief to micro-entrepreneurs—will need regular review to ensure benefits reach the right people.
New railways, bus systems, and disaster centers like “Ligtas Pinoy” must be built based on what communities actually need, not just what looks good in reports.
Making this cycle part of how we govern will strengthen accountability beyond just recovering funds or filing cases. It will mean we catch problems early, before they waste resources or hurt people.
It will ensure that every decision—from defending our seas to building schools—stays true to the goal of lifting up our fellow citizens.
When people see that government listens, corrects mistakes, and delivers what is promised, trust grows stronger.
Still, we know change will not be easy. Some will resist new ways of doing things. Some agencies lack the tools or people to collect and study information properly. But these hurdles can be overcome with strong leadership, honesty, and steady investment in better systems.
Three common issues keep us from checking and adjusting policies well: entrenched old habits in government that resist change, outside interests that get in the way of fair decisions, and missing or incomplete information about how things are actually going.
To move forward, leaders must make review and feedback a priority, not an afterthought. Information must be open to the public, and we must train more people to collect facts and use them wisely.
We can start with clear steps: set up teams within agencies to regularly check how programs are doing; require that new laws and projects are based on facts and community input; and keep farmers, workers, teachers, and residents involved in every stage of planning and review.
In closing, the 2026 SONA sets a noble path: to lift up those who have been left behind, uphold the rule of law, and move our nation forward together.
But this will only happen if we treat policies as living tools that must be watched, tested, and improved as we go. Every leader, official, and citizen has a part to play—by demanding honesty, sharing our experiences, and holding each other accountable.
Let us build a government that not only makes promises, but delivers real, lasting change for all Filipinos.
