President Rodrigo Roa Duterte State of the Nation Address 2019

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In President Duterte Sona held last Monday July 22,2019 he addressed numerous subject
matters such as the persistent problem of illegal drugs; Corruption; Death penalty for heinous
crimes related to drugs and plunder; Third Telco player was also mentioned and assured that no
corruption was involved in Dito Telecommunity's entry into the sector; the dispute on the West
Philippine Sea; Salary increase specially for the Teachers and Nurses; the Liquor ban; the
passage of Package 2 of the Comprehensive Tax Reform Program, otherwise known as the
Trabaho bill; the need on improvements of services in the part of Land Transportation Office,
Social Security System, Bureau of Internal Revenue, Land Registration Authority, and Pag-IBIG
as they are the major subject of complaints from the complaint center under the president’s office
and also wishes the processing of permits to last only 3 days in connection to the avoidance on
the corruption in the Government; the Protection of overseas Filipino workers mentioned in the
signed the Bilateral Labor Agreement with Kuwait, in an effort to protect OFWs from abusive
employers; President also brings up the temporary closure of Boracay and the rehabilitation of
Manila Bay; the Bangsamoro Organic Law to fast-track the development of the region and
improve the quality of life of Muslims and indigenous peoples; the need to the establishment of a
Department of Disaster Resilience in preparation for future natural calamities and also orders the
Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and Metro Manila local government officials to reclaim
public roads being used for private purposes; the promote patriotism among the youth by making
the Reserve Officers' Training Corps program mandatory for senior high school students. With
regards to the Agricultural need of the country, Pres. Duterte vows that his administration will
implement the rice tariffication law and calls for the careful utilization of the coco levy fund and
blasts the Land Bank of the Philippines for allegedly prioritizing commercial transactions over
funding of agricultural activities. Lastly, President Duterte ends his speech by saying the second
half of his term is a "period of consequences" and hopes for sustained momentum in the remaining
years of his term, which ends in 2022.

I was quite satisfied on the President 3rd Sona as it tackles present issues that people
need to hear directly from the President and not by his spoke’s person. For me, the President was
like a Professor when he discussed about the hot issue on the West Philippine Sea and claiming
that the disputed area is ours and was also recognized by UNCLOS however, we cannot execute
our rights on the area as it might cause war with China which he frankly said that we cannot afford
on such danger and it will surely be a disadvantage on our side. This explanation must be heard
and understood by our people since most of the Filipinos do not understand the overall effect of
the excessive demands on the disputed area. I was also fascinated by the honesty of the
President when he admitted that corruption is still rampant and that he needs everybody’s help in
solving the issue. In my opinion, it is true that corruption feeds and causes illegal drugs to survive
and that it must be stop. However, this problem was so deep, and people were already
accustomed by the corruption that sometimes we, ourselves gave in and pay extra for our papers
and transactions to be easily entertained. Thus, it is well said that if we want to stop corruption,
we should start it within ourselves.

The topic on the rehabilitation in Boracay and the Manila bay was well appreciated by the
President, and I agree that it should be something that the agency involved should be proud of.
Hopefully, the rehabilitation project will not stop, and the government will always exert efforts not
only in the Manila bay and Boracay but on several Philippine destinations that needs to be
cleansed and maintained.

Also, on the death penalty for heinous crimes related to drugs and plunder, I think it is time
for our country and the government to be more decisive on this matter. For me, death penalty
would cause fear only to those people with bad intentions. Thus, if we know on ourselves that we
are not subject of those acts then I think there is no need to be afraid on such punishment.

I have observed that the president also throws jokes and that sometimes his remarks in
condemning some agencies which he finds unsatisfying is quite unpleasant to hear although it
might be a result of his anger or annoyance on the deceitful acts of the said agency. Some people
might find the expressions of the President such as “Putang ina” unacceptable for a high official
to say but in my view, I really find it funny and that those things and expression should not be
bothered and instead people should focus on the result of the acts of the President.

Overall, the SONA 2019 was impressive, and I greatly admire the President on his efforts,
passion, and honesty in solving the issues and the desire to uplift the Philippines, not only the
economy but also the lives of each Filipino people.