Paull Andrei Mangundayao Mr.

Jervy Briones

11STEMA15 Philosophy

July 25, 2019

‘4th SONA of DU30’

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte delivered on Monday, July 22, 2019 his 4th State of The Nation

Address (SONA) in front of around 3000 lawmakers and guests at the Batasan Pambansa in

Quezon City. The President didn’t arrive at time because of the sudden change of weather which

caused the SONA to be delayed for some time. The SONA started at exactly 5:15 in the

afternoon and finished at 6:49 pm. Duterte started his speech thanking the people who stood with

him in most trying times.

Duterte emphasized the continuous problem about drugs and corruption in the Philippines but

promises to continue fighting until the end, I think that he would have a hard time ending

corruption in the Philippines because some of the newly elected officials, specially some senators

which had some history of stealing in the pocket of the Philippines. But still, us Pilipinos kept on

voting and voting these officials not learning our lessons from our past. So if the corruption

won’t end let us not blame our President for it, blame ourselves for being blind on the reality.

Duterte also explained his view on the maritime dispute and wants no war against Chinese. He is

playing safe not for himself, but for our country knowing that if we fight or argue with China

there might be a huge conflict between Philippines and China, saying that “There are guided

missiles in the West Philippine Sea…should we stand up and stop those who fish in our economic
zone. We will in due time”. This avoidance of armed and conflict and protection of our territorial

waters and natural resources compel us to perform a delicate balancing act.

Duterte said that he wants the National Land Use Act to pass this year. This would resolve land

use conflicts and classify land according to its use. It will help our country to mandate the

formulation of land use plans at the national and local level.

The President praised DepEd secretary as more Filipinos learners are receiving basic education.

The president also plans to add the salaries of the teachers and nurses. In my opinion this would

help the teacher and nurses in the Philippines because the current salary of these workers are

very low compared to the salary of the teachers and nurses in other countries, because of this

many people that are planning to go abroad or overseas would be interested on staying. It is a

great step for our country to have economy and better workers.

Duterte also included in his speech the improvement of the agencies and better services for the

people. And he also asked the Congress to pass the remaining packages of administration’s tax

reform program and excise tax. Duterte also instructs to pass the Trabaho Bill and the Salary

Standardization Act. It is like he really wants the Pilipinos to have better lives and easier than

what we had before. Making services easier and more accessible, higher salaries, lower taxes for

our people. If all of the plans of the President would be accomplished it would really help us

Pilipinos to have a better and easier life just like as he promise.

“A comfortable life for the Filipinos in the next three years… I dream the Philipphines better tha

I grew with,” Duterte ended his speech. For me the 4th SONA of our President is well rounded,

he stated the current situations and provided solutions for them. He proposed some ideas for the

future and most specially, he tackled the issue about the West Philippine Sea.