7 key takeaways from President Marcos' 2025 SONA

Marcos calls out suspected corruption in flood control projects

Marcos firmly called out government officials who allegedly commit corruption, particularly in flood control projects in light of the recent heavy rains and flooding.

"Kitang-kita ko na maraming proyekto sa flood control ay palpak," he said. "At 'yung iba, guniguni lang. Huwag na tayo magkunwari, alam naman ng buong madla na nagkakaraket sa mga proyekto."

"Sa mga nakikipagsabwatan upang kunin ang pondo ng bayan at nakawin ang kinabukasan ng ating mga mamamayan, mahiya naman kayo sa inyong mga kapwa Pilipino," he added, to much applause and cheers at the hall.

"Mahiya naman kayo sa mga kabahayan nating naanod o nalubog sa mga pagbaha. Mahiya naman kayo lalo sa mga anak natin na magmamana sa mga utang na ginawa ninyo nang ibinulsa niyo lang ang pera."

Marcos ordered the Department of Public Works and Highways to "immediately submit" to him the list of flood control projects from every region that were started and completed in the last three years.

He said a project monitoring committee will evaluate this list to determine the failures as well as the unfinished and ghost projects.

Ultimately, Marcos pointed out that the list will be made public for Filipinos to see.

"Kailangan may managot sa matinding pinsala at katiwalian," he said, adding that in 2026, he won't approve proposed budgets that aren't fully aligned with the national expenditure program.

"I am willing to do this even if we end up with a reenacted budget," he said.

Sen. Ping Lacson previously told dzBB that since 2011, about P1 trillion allocated for flood control projects may have been lost to corruption.

Marcos promises improved services in various sectors

Marcos declared several boosts in services across different sectors.

In transportation, he said the so-called Love Bus of the '70s will stage a comeback. The bus was introduced on several routes in Metro Manila, and was notable for being the only air-conditioned bus at the time. It ceased operations in the '90s.

"Hindi lang natin ibabalik ang Love Bus. Ito ay gagawin pa nating libre," he said, adding that there will be pilot testing in Davao and Cebu, while more areas in Visayas and Mindanao will follow suit.

He also reiterated that China-made Dalian trains, which were purchased for the MRT-3 but remained unused since 2014, will be ready for use by the end of the year. The rest of the coaches will be ready for operation by 2026.

“Halos singkwentang dagdag na karwahe ang natengga nang sampung taon," he said. "Sayang ang pera. Sayang ang isang dekada."

In infrastructure, Marcos said the multibillion-dollar Bataan-Cavite bridge project will begin construction by the end of 2025.

"Ang tulay na ito ay tatlumpu't dalawang kilometro ang haba, at tatawid ng Manila Bay," he said. “Kung ang biyahe ngayon mula Mariveles hanggang Naic ay umaabot nang limang oras, balang araw ito ay magiging apatnapu't limang minuto na lamang."

It will be funded via a multi-tranche financing scheme, with the Asian Development Bank providing $2.1 billion and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank providing $1.14 billion.

Marcos also warned against corruption in infrastructure projects, mentioning the P1.2-billion Cabagan-Santa Maria Bridge in Isabela, which was built from November 2014 to February 2025, only for a portion to collapse.

"Ang mahal. Ang tagal ginawa. Ang bilis nasira," he said.

Marcos likewise mentioned the San Juanico Bridge, noting that while it stood for decades, it lacked proper maintenance, and it needed closure and repair.

“Hindi natin papayagan at palalampasin ang mga katiwalian sa pangangasiwa, ang kapalpakan sa pagdisenyo at sa pagkakagawa, ang mababang kalidad at marupok na materyales, ang pagkaantala ng proyekto, at ang kapabayaan sa tamang pagmintena at pagkumpuni,” he said of infrastructure projects.

Marcos called out water service providers and their joint venture partners for water service interruptions in different parts of the country.

"Marami kaming natatanggap na reklamo na hindi umaabot ang tubig sa kanilang gripo," he said. "Ginagawa ng [Local Water Utilities Administration] ang mabisang hakbang laban sa palpak na serbisyo ng water district at joint venture partners."

"Higit sa lahat, titiyakin nating mapapanagot ang mga nagpabaya at nagkulang sa mahalagang serbisyong publiko na ito," he added.

Marcos previously ordered an investigation into the Villar-led PrimeWater Infrastructure Corporation amid several complaints about its services.

Amid the LWUA's investigation early this month, PrimeWater vowed to show cooperation and have meaningful dialog in light of the concerns affecting millions of customers.

Marcos declares expanded PhilHealth coverage, zero billing in DOH hospitals

Marcos announced that the coverage of members of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation will be improved and expanded. This includes supposed free dialysis sessions thrice a week, alongside necessary medications.

He also noted that the kidney transplant's financial assistance limit was raised from P600,00 to P2.1 million, as well as coverage for the post-procedure medicines of patients.

Marcos also assured Filipinos of "zero balance billing" in DOH-accredited health facilities.

"Wala nang kailangan bayaran ang pasyente," he said. "Basta sa DOH hospital, dahil bayad na po ang bill ninyo."

Marcos also reiterated PhilHealth's Yaman ng Kalusugan Program para Malayo sa Sakit or YAKAP, which introduces more free primary care services.

YAKAP includes free consultations, six cancer screenings (breast, liver, lung, colorectal), and 13 laboratory tests (complete blood count with platelet count, lipid profile, fasting blood sugar, oral glucose tolerance, creatinine, chest x-ray, sputum microscopy, electrocardiogram, urinalysis, pap smear, fecalysis, fecal occult blood).

It also covers up to 75 medicines worth P20,000 annually, including those for infection, cholesterol, pain relief, allergies, asthma, high blood pressure, diabetes, and nerve pain.

Marcos to bolster the education sector

Marcos is seeking to improve the country's education sector amid long-standing issues like the country's learning poverty among students and the poor working conditions of teachers.

He promised teachers that they would get paid for overtime work and teaching overload.

"Ngayong school year na ito, makakatanggap na kayo ng kabayaran," he said, adding that his administration has also removed previously required hundreds of non-teaching documents.

“Gagawin na din nating digital ang mga natitira pang papel na kailangan ninyong asikasuhin," he said.

Marcos also highlighted concerns about students' mental health, saying more school counselors will be hired.

The focus will be on early childhood care and development, establishing bulilit centers, setting up vaccination drives, and expanding tutorial and remedial programs.

Marcos reiterated that Technical Vocational Education and Training programs will be included in senior high school.

“Ibig sabihin, ang mag-aaral natin, senior high school pa lamang, makakapili na siya kung Bookkeeping, Agribusiness, Electrical, o Graphic Design ang kanyang napupusuang larangan,” he said. “Diretso pagka-graduate, puwede na agad mag-hanapbuhay kung gugustuhin, dahil para na rin siyang nakapag-aral sa TESDA at nakakuha ng NC II o NC III."

He then noted how many Filipino students have been entering Technical Education and Skills Development Authority programs.

Marcos pledged to earmark an additional P60 million to free tertiary education and technical vocational programs in the country.

"Puspusan nating inaayos ang ating sistema ng edukasyon," he also said.

Marcos to reinvigorate the country's health and wellness, sports programs

Marcos is also looking into improving the lives of Filipinos by advocating for a more physically healthy lifestyle. He urged local government units to organize activities like local leagues, fun runs, and Zumba and aerobics sessions, and called for the opening of public parks and other spaces for physical fitness activities.

"Buksan at gawing maaliwalas ang mga park at mga plaza, kung saan makakapag-ensayo ang ating mga mamamayan, bata man o matanda," he said.

Marcos sought the expansion of "car-free Sundays" programs, which are being done by cities in Metro Manila, Baguio, Cebu, Iloilo, and Davao.

He also noted that the Philippine Sports Commission will open facilities like track and field ovals in Manila, Pasig, and Baguio to the public for free.

Marcos vows to support Filipinos who are pursuing a career in sports, sharing that there are plans to create a nationwide program for sports development.

"Uumpisahan natin ito sa paaralan pa lamang," he added. "Ibabalik natin ang mga sports clubs at magsasagawa tayo ng mga palaro at intrams sa lahat ng mga pampublikong paaralan."

He is hoping for the future generation to follow in the footsteps of renowned Filipino athletes like boxers Manny Pacquiao, Aira Vegas and Nesthy Petecio, weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, gymnast Carlos Yulo, pole vaulter EJ Obiena, and tennis player Alex Eala. He also commended Paralympians like Jerrold Mangliwan, Candy Asusano, Angel Mae Otom, and Ernie Gawilan, as well as the Philippine men's curling team, which recently made history by bagging gold in the Asian Winter Games.

Marcos says campaign promise of P20 per kilo of rice had been achieved

Marcos emphasized that his longtime campaign promise of P20 per kilo of rice had already come into fruition and will become available nationwide soon.

"Sa mga nagtatanong kung nasaan na ang bente pesos na bigas, ito ang aking tugon: Napatunayan natin na kaya na natin ang bente pesos sa bawat kilo ng bigas nang hindi malulugi ang mga magsasaka," he said.

He vowed to allot P113 billion to the Department of Agriculture to launch his pet policy through hundreds of KADIWA stores across the country.

"Kamakailan lamang ay matagumpay nating nailunsad ito sa Luzon, Visayas at Mindanao, kagaya sa San Juan, Pangasinan, Cavite, Occidental Mindoro, Cebu, Bacolod, Guimaras, Siquijor, at Davao del Sur," he said.

Marcos also warned traders and smugglers against manipulating the prices of rice and grains.

"Hahabulin namin kayo dahil ang trato namin sa inyong ginagawa ay itinuturing na economic sabotage," he added.

The DA previously said that at least 162 locations in the country have been offering cheaper rice, with vulnerable groups getting priority access.

The P20-per-kilo rice program is mainly implemented through the KADIWA ng Pangulo outlets. The National Food Authority provides the rice, which is purchased directly from local farmers.

Marcos acknowledges administration's dismal performance, vows to do better

Marcos, though he mentioned a slew of supposed achievements and promises, acknowledged that his administration had a dismal performance. He attributed it to the midterm elections last May 12, when many of his allies lost, especially in the Senate race.

"Malinaw sa akin ang mensahe ng naging resulta ng halalan. Bigo at dismayado ang mga tao sa pamahalaan, lalo na ang mga nasa pangunahing serbisyo," he said.

He noted there is one simple lesson that can be drawn from that: "Kailangan pa natin mas lalong galingan. Kailangan pa natin mas lalong bilisan,"

"Ibubuhos pa natin ang lahat-lahat hindi lang para mapantayan kundi para mahigitan ang pagbibigay sa ating mga kababayan," he continued.