Mixed Reactions Follow President Marcos Jr.'s Fifth State of the Nation Address

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivered his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, July 27, highlighting government achievements and future plans across several sectors, including agriculture and education. While Education Secretary Sonny Angara stated that the Department of Education is ramping up the implementation of executive directives regarding teacher welfare, classroom construction, and senior high school job readiness, various groups argue that a significant gap exists between these promises and reality.

In the education sector, President Marcos highlighted efforts to strengthen the senior high school curriculum through intensified work immersion and reported that over 80,000 teachers have been promoted via the Expanded Career Progression System. He also noted the provision of gadgets like laptops and tablets to teachers and announced a plan to provide P100,000 to five students in every barangay through the Presidential Scholars program. However, youth groups questioned the accessibility of these scholarships and whether work immersion programs lead to free labor. Teacher organizations, including the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) and the Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC), criticized the address for omitting plans for salary increases—with demands ranging from a P15,000 across-the-board increase to P50,000 for entry-level positions—and noted that many teachers have yet to receive promised laptops.

Regarding agriculture and food security, Marcos highlighted programs such as the Benteng Bigas Meron Na program and KADIWA Centers. These claims were contested by farmers, fisherfolk, and indigenous groups who reported that they have not felt the benefits of these initiatives. Specifically, some indigenous participants noted that rice prices remain at P50 per kilo in certain areas despite government claims that millions have benefited from subsidized rice.

The reporting of the event differs based on political lean. Outlets with a center-left lean frame the SONA as a series of unfulfilled promises and systemic failures affecting marginalized sectors. In contrast, the outlet with a center lean frames the event around the administrative implementation of the President's directives by government officials.