Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s Sona 2025

PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. delivered his fourth State of the Nation Address (Sona) at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City at 4 p.m. Monday, July 28, 2025.

Here’s a quick summary of the key points from his address.

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3:30 p.m. – Marcos arrived at the Batasang Pambansa aboard the presidential chopper for his Sona. He was warmly welcomed by lawmakers and government officials upon entering the plenary hall.

Smiles, handshakes, and brief conversations followed as he made his way to the rostrum.

3:58 p.m. — Marcos was welcomed by officials and guests at the plenary hall.

4 p.m. — The joint session of the 20th Congress was called to order. It was followed by the singing of the national anthem by The Voice USA Season 26 winner Sofronio Vasquez.

4:02 p.m. — The Nation’s Prayer

4:05 p.m. — Marcos was welcomed by both houses of Congress for his 4th Sona.

‘GOVERNMENT WILL DO BETTER’

President Marcos vowed that the government will do better and act faster in the next three years of his administration, stressing that while economic indicators like improved business confidence, lower inflation, and increased employment are positive, these gains mean little if ordinary Filipinos continue to struggle.

He said as his administration enters its final three years, he will work to pour in greater effort to improve the lives of the Filipino people.

He also called for unity, urging the public to set aside differences and come together as Filipinos committed to national service.

MORE JOBS

Marcos vowed that the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will continue to work together to create employment and livelihood opportunities for the Filipino people.

He said the country’s job opportunities have been growing, and that he pledged continue efforts to help the labor force who remain unemployed.

SUPPORT FOR SMALL BUSINESSES

Marcos also stressed that his administration will continue to support small businesses by offering low interest and collateral free loans. He said there will also be free training and funding so that poor families can build their own microenterprises. He said his administration aims to support around 2.5 million low-income households.

GROW KEY INDUSTRIES, INVEST IN AGRICULTURE

The President mentioned during his Sona the need to grow key industries such as automotive, electronics, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, critical minerals, textiles, Halal products, construction, and power plants. To achieve this, he called on local entrepreneurs to invest most in agriculture.

He told the international business community: “The Philippines is ready. Invest in the Filipino.”

P20 PER KILO RICE

Marcos said the government has proven that the P20-per-kilo rice can be offered without causing losses to farmers. He said this program has already been launched in several areas in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, particularly San Juan, Pangasinan, Cavite, Occidental Mindoro, Cebu, Bacolod, Guimaras, Siquijor, and Davao del Sur.

He said with the P113 billion allocated to strengthen the Department of Agriculture’s programs, the P20 rice will be rolled out nationwide through hundreds of Kadiwa stores and centers in partnership with local governments.

Marcos warned rice traders not to manipulate the prices of palay and rice, or deceive, saying he considers such actions as economic sabotage. He said those proven to have done this will be prosecuted.

LOWER MEAT PRICES; BOOST PRODUCTION

Marcos also said that the government is boosting local production of piglets and sows, as well as building biosecured facilities to address the high cost of pork. He cited the launching and expansion of the African Swine Fever (ASF) vaccination program as one solution to this issue.

Aside from pork, Marcos said the government is also increasing the production of various agricultural products such as rice, corn, pineapple, banana, mango, coffee, cacao, calamansi, sugarcane, onion, garlic, and more.

ASSISTANCE FOR FARMERS, FISHERFOLK

Marcos reported that since the start of his administration, over 8.5 million farmers and fisherfolk have been given assistance. Farm-to-market roads have been built and more will be constructed, along with irrigation systems. Farm equipment will also distributed, as well as boats made of fiberglass. More rice processing facilities will also be built.

PLANT MORE COCONUT TREES

Marcos has vowed to revitalize the coconut industry by planting at least 15 million hybrid and high-quality coconut seedlings this year. He said the government aims to plant 100 million trees nationwide.

He also called on Congress to amend the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund Act to better respond to farmers’ needs.

He also cited scientific innovations and modern farming techniques, such as inter-cropping and off-season planting, to help the farmers in the country. He said the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is there to help them.

SCHOLARSHIPS FOR THE YOUTH, LAND TITLES

Marcos also stressed that the government continues to work to offer agriculture-related courses, programs, and scholarships to encourage the youth to pursue farming as a livelihood and continue their families’ legacy.

He said the Department of Agrarian Reform is expediting the distribution of land titles — CLOAs, E-Titles, and COCROMs — to ensure farmers gain full ownership of the land they till and are free from agrarian debt.

ELECTRIFICATION, ENERGY PRODUCTION

The President also announced that the government accelerates electrification efforts and continues to expand the country’s clean energy sources, such as solar, wind, and natural gas, noting that around three million households have remained without electricity.

He said when his administration started, there were over five million households that lacked electricity, but in the last three years, 2.5 million of them have been energized. He said the government aims to complete nearly 200 power plants in the next three years to supply four million homes, over 2,000 factories, or nearly 7,000 offices and businesses.

He mentioned the provinces of Quezon, Camarines Norte, Palawan, Masbate, Samar, Negros Occidental, and Zamboanga del Sur as among the underserved provinces when it comes to electricity. He said the Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Electrification Administration (NEA) will reach these areas, stressing that an additional one million homes are expected to be electrified through solar home systems by 2028.

He said the DOE will also push for the Net Metering Program to lower electricity costs. The approvals will also be expedited through the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC).

Marcos said the Lifeline Rate subsidy is also being extended beyond 4Ps beneficiaries to include other low-income families listed in the government’s database.

SIQUIJOR POWER CRISIS

Marcos also mentioned the recent power crisis in Siquijor, which he said led to the declaration of a state of calamity due to widespread brownouts. He stressed that an investigation revealed expired permits, faulty generators, and poor management, prompting him to order the DOE, NEA, and ERC to restore power before year-end and implement long-term solutions.

The President also ordered agencies to audit power providers and enforce refunds if necessary.

CLEAN WATER FOR FILIPINOS

Marcos also stressed the need for clean water, as he mentioned the government’s large-scale projects to ensure bulk water supply and access to potable water, especially for residents of island communities.

He said over six million consumers nationwide still suffer from poor water service. To address this, he said the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) is now taking strong action against underperforming water districts and their joint venture partners.

Marcos said those responsible for water service failures will be held accountable.

EDUCATION GAPS

Marcos also acknowledged in his Sona the challenges faced by Filipino youth, including learning gaps in math, science, reading comprehension, high dropout rates, and the plight of around 500,000 child laborers.

He said while the government is heavily investing in infrastructure, it is investing even more in the Filipino people — placing education at the top of the administration’s priorities.

He said the government has launched the Aral Program (Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning) this year, and strengthened Early Childhood Care and Development to address these issues.

MENTAL HEALTH; FREE HEALTH SERVICES FOR STUDENTS, TEACHERS

Marcos reported that the government has been doing efforts to support the overall well-being of learners in the country, especially their mental health. He said more school counselors were hired and over 300 Barangay Child Development and Bulilit Centers have been rolled out to address the gaps in daycare facilities. He mentioned that there’s a P1 billion budget for this.

He also reported the accelerated child immunization efforts, and the launching of Yakap Caravan, which offers free health checkups, lab tests (including cancer screening), and medicines for students and teachers.

He said 22,000 new classrooms have also been built in the last three years, and the goal is to add 40,000 more before the end of his term.

Successful tutoring and remedial programs from the past school year and summer will be expanded, and Marcos expressed gratitude to teachers and volunteer youth mentors for their dedication.

INTERNSHIP, SUPPORT FOR TEACHERS

Marcos urged the DOLE and DSWD to continue implementing internship and pre-employment programs for college students, citing their importance in supporting youth and national development.

He also assured the public school teachers that will receive laptops, and stressed that transparency will be upheld in the procurement of these machines.

To support digital learning, Marcos said the government has also prepared smart TVs, high-tech learning materials, free Wi-Fi, and free load via Bayanihan SIM cards, equipping students for modern, technology-driven education.

MORE TEACHING POSITIONS

He also assured the teachers that their performance will not be measured solely by student pass rates, but by how well they help learners grow and aspire in life.

To support educators, the government has added 60,000 teaching positions, reduced unnecessary paperwork by eliminating nearly 100 non-teaching requirements, and is now working to digitize remaining tasks for easier processing through the laptops provided.

He also announced that starting this school year, teachers will receive compensation for teaching overload and overtime work.

TECH-VOC EDUCATION EXPANSION

Marcos also highlighted in his Sona the continued expansion of Tech-Vocational (Tech-Voc) education in Senior High School through the integration of Tesda’s TVET programs. This, he said, allowed students to specialize in fields like bookkeeping, agribusiness, electrical work, or graphic design.

FREE COLLEGE EDUCATION

He also reported government’s ongoing support for free public college education, with over two million students benefiting annually and an additional 260,000 students supported since the start of his administration.

He said that for 2026, nearly P60 billion will be allocated for free public college and Tech-Voc education.

Marcos said Tesda scholarships have also grown, with over 200,000 additional scholarships granted in 2024 alone. Priority for college financial aid will be given to students under 4Ps and Listahanan over the next three years.

He said the government aims to see at least one college or Tesda graduate per Filipino family.

PRESIDENTIAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIPS

Marcos also announced the launch of the Presidential Merit Scholarships to recognize high school graduates who earn highest honors.

POVERTY

Marcos also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to programs aimed at reducing poverty, and improving health and nutrition. He mentioned the 4Ps program, which he said has helped over 5 million households since the start of his administration.

He also asked the local government units (LGUs) to prioritize homeless individuals by enrolling them in the 4Ps and other DSWD programs.

He said the Walang Gutom program is now set to support 600,000 of the most nutritionally at-risk households, with a goal to reach 750,000 households by 2027.

The DSWD and DepEd, he added, also continue to provide feeding programs in daycare centers and public schools, benefitting over 3.5 million students with nutritious meals and milk.

To expand this effort, the DSWD will receive an additional P1 billion in funding next year to provide more children with healthy food.

MORE ACTIVE LIFESTYLES

Marcos urged the public to get more active lifestyles by participating in community activities like fun runs, Zumba, and local sports tournaments to address the rising obesity rates among Filipinos aged 20 and above. He urged the LGUs to open up parks, plazas, and implement Car-Free Sundays.

He said the Philippine Sports Commission will open its track and field ovals in Pasig, Manila, and Baguio for free public use, while the government will also intensify support for sports and athletes through events like the Palarong Pambansa and Batang Pinoy Games in General Santos City this October.

A new national sports development program will start in public schools by reviving sports clubs, intramurals, and competitions, with continued backing from the PSC and Pagcor, he added.

Marcos also praised Filipino athletes, including Senator Manny Pacquiao, Hidilyn Diaz, Caloy Yulo, EJ Obiena, and even the Philippine Men’s Curling Team, who made history despite the country having no winter. This, he said, proved that Filipinos can shine on any stage.

HEALTHCARE

Marcos reported that the government has prioritized healthcare alongside education and poverty reduction, stressing that in the past three years, they have expanded public hospitals and specialty centers, and established 53 Bucas (Bagong Urgent Care and Ambulatory Service) centers in 32 provinces, offering free checkups, X-rays, lab tests, and outpatient care without requiring confinement.

He promised that more Bucas centers will be opened soon. He also said that for the first time, every town in the Philippines now has a doctor.

He also mentioned PhilHealth, which now covers treatments for heart disease, including heart attacks, open-heart surgeries, and valve repair or replacement.

He said the government has also established a Cancer Assistance Fund to support cancer patients, and allocated funds for HPV vaccines to prevent various types of cancer.

For cancer cases not covered by PhilHealth, the government has allocated P1.7 billion for essential medicines.

Marcos also said that dialysis sessions are now free all year, including the required medications.

PhilHealth now covers post-kidney transplant services and medicines, and the coverage limit for kidney transplant has increased from P600,000 to P2.1 million.

For severe dengue cases in children, the coverage is now up to P47,000, and cataract surgery support has been raised from P16,000 to P87,000.

He also said that therapy and assistive devices for PWDs are now covered.

Marcos said that soon, medical assistance applications will be integrated into the eGov app for easier access.

INFRASTRUCTURE, TRANSPORTATION

Marcos vowed that the government will continue the large-scale infrastructure program, which includes roads, bridges, railways, airports, seaports, irrigation, and affordable housing across the country. He said some of these will be completed during his term.

He also reported improvements in public transport, stressing the MRT and LRT, which are now offering increased fare discounts.

FREE LOVE BUS REVIVAL, OTHER PROJECTS

Marcos announced that the iconic “Love Bus” of the 1970s is being revived as a free public transport service, initially in Davao and Cebu, with plans to expand across Visayas and Mindanao.

He also mentioned other major transportation and infrastructure projects, such as the Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge, which will begin construction before year-end; the Nalil-Sikkiat Bridge in Tawi-Tawi, whic is now open, noting that the Malassa-Lupa Pula Bridge will follow next year; the restoration of the PNR Bicol Line and the Binahan Bridge damaged by Typhoon Kristine; SLEX Toll Road 5 extension from Sto. Tomas to Tiaong, which will partially open in 2026; Quezon-Bicol roads; the Mindanao Transport Connectivity Improvement Project, which will upgrade 428 kilometers of roads linking Cagayan de Oro, Davao, and General Santos; and the Guadalupe Bridge Rehabilitation.

He also said that maintaining the safety of hanging bridges, especially in rural areas, is important, citing past incidents where teachers and students were injured. He ordered agencies to inspect and repair these urgently.

Marcos also slammed substandard work and delays, citing the P1-billion Cabagan-Sta. Maria Bridge in Isabela, which collapsed days after opening. He emphasized learning from enduring structures like the 50-year-old San Juanico Bridge, which lacked maintenance.

He said all infrastructure should be well-designed, of high quality, completed on time, and properly maintained.

INTERNET CONNECTIVITY

Marcos also emphasized the crucial role of internet connectivity in building a “Bagong Pilipinas,” stressing that digital access should be inclusive and available to all sectors of society.

He said the Phases 1, 2, and 3 of the National Fiber Backbone project have been completed, boosting internet speed and reliability nationwide.

The free Wi-Fi has also been expanded, with nearly 19,000 free Wi-Fi sites already available across the country.

He also said the over one million SIM cards with free data have been distributed to schools, especially in far-flung areas, and the government is accelerating the installation of towers and cell sites in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas.

Nearly 12,000 public schools still lack internet access, but Marcos assured that all public schools will be connected before the end of 2025.

eGOV PH APP

Marcos also highlighted during his Sona the success and ongoing expansion of the eGov PH app, which was launched in 2023. This, he said, is a key step in bringing government services closer to the people through digital means.

He said the eGov app now integrates over 40 government services, including those from LGUs. Users can renew driver’s licenses, manage PhilHealth, Pag-Ibig, and GSIS records, access OFW documents, complete immigration and customs declarations, create bio-data, and search for jobs. Users can also manage government IDs, including the National ID.

He said the app will soon provide access to NBI clearance, Beep card integration for MRT and LRT, and eTIN services from the BIR.

LTO BACKLOGS

Marcos said the Land Transportation Office (LTO) has finally cleared the motorcycle license plate backlog dating back to 2014. He directed the agency to prevent future backlogs and release new vehicle plates and registration within the promised 3-day period.

PEACE AND SECURITY

Marcos stressed that peace is a key pillar of “Bagong Pilipinas.” Thus, he said his government will continue to modernize the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) by providing them with new arms, vehicles, and equipment.

He also said that thousands of former rebels have reintegrated into society and are now being supported with livelihood programs and community development. He said there are no active guerilla groups now, and the government will ensure that none will re-emerge.

He said the AFP, PNP, and former rebels now work together to keep peace in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Barmm).

CRIME AND HUMAN RIGHTS

Marcos said the government values human rights regardless of age, gender, condition, or group. He said authorities are now working to resolve cases of missing persons linked to illegal sabong syndicates.

He vowed to pursue and punish all those involved, civilian or official, regardless of wealth or power, to deliver justice and uphold the rule of law.

ANTI-DRUG CAMPAIGN

Marcos also highlighted in his Sona the government’s intensified anti-drug campaign, reporting the seizure of around P83 billion worth of illegal drugs from raids on warehouses, laboratories, and smuggling attempts in various parts of the country.

He said over 153,000 individuals have been arrested, including more than 9,600 high-value targets, with 677 being government personnel.

FOREIGN POLICY

Marcos reaffirmed the country’s foreign policy: “A friend to all, an enemy to none.” This, he said, will guide the Philippines as it hosts the Asean Summit in 2026.

He also stressed the government’s strong commitment to protecting overseas Filipinos, especially those in danger. He cited the release of Filipino hostages held by Houthi rebels after over 400 days through cooperation with Oman, and the granting of clemency to over 600 Filipinos convicted abroad in countries like the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, and others.

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS

Marcos also mentioned the government’s intensified disaster preparedness amid climate change and increasingly frequent weather disturbances. He urged the public to adopt disaster-readiness as second nature and emphasized the importance of continuous improvement in disaster response.

He committed to building more modern evacuation centers to avoid using schools as shelters and cited the deployment of advanced technologies like Doppler radars, seismic stations, and mobile command vehicles to improve early warning and emergency operations.

He said disaster preparedness efforts will only succeed with the cooperation of every Filipino.

Marcos called on Filipino citizens to show discipline, vigilance, and unity — by participating in drills, following evacuation orders, properly disposing of waste, staying informed, and helping others during crises.

He acknowledged that sacrifices are necessary to protect lives and affirmed that the government remains behind its people.

APPEAL TO THE PEOPLE

Marcos said that as he enters the second half of his term, he urged the Filipinos to stay focused on the path to progress, grounded in true patriotism and resilient Filipino values — bravery, hard work, and compassion.

He ended his speech by saying: “Tayo ito. Tayo ang Bagong Pilipino.”

5:17 p.m. — The joint session was adjourned.