(By Ellicia Del Mundo)
Food security, infrastructure projects, COVID-19 health response, education reforms, and climate action were among the priorities in the comprehensive economic plan of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
In his inauguration address as the 17th President of the Philippines last June 30, Marcos said they are "drawing up a comprehensive all-inclusive plan for economic transformation."
"We will build back better by doing things in the light of the experiences that we have had. Both good and bad. It doesn’t matter," he added.
Ahead of his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, July 25, here are some of the sectors that President Marcos will be prioritizing under his administration:
Food sufficiency
During his 25-minute inauguration speech, Marcos vowed to prioritize agriculture, which he described as a sector that "cries for urgent attention."
He pointed out that while every administration has promised food self-sufficiency, none but one delivered.
"Food sufficiency must get preferential treatment. The richest free trade countries always gave their agricultural sectors. Their policy boils down to don’t do as we do," he underscored.
Marcos said he is "giving that policy the most serious thought if that doesn’t change or make more allowances for emergencies with long-term effects."
Marcos is currently leading the Department of Agriculture (DA) to address the food crisis in the country urgently.
"Build, build, build" project continues
The infrastructure development program “Build, Build, Build” (BBB) of former president Rodrigo Roa Duterte will continue, Marcos said.
A total of 88 BBB infrastructure projects such as railways, subways, roads, airports, and bridges, would be passed into the hands of the next administration, Public works Undersecretary Emil Sadain said last April.
Also, Marcos guaranteed to complete the projects that have been started on schedule.
"I am not interested in taking credit. I want to build on the success that’s already happening," he said.
The President promised to present a six years comprehensive infrastructure plan.
“No part of our country will be neglected. Progress will be made wherever there are Filipinos so, no investment is wasted,” he added.
A more improved COVID-19 health response
Marcos assured to fix the shortcomings of the previous administration’s COVID-19 health response and noted that there will be “no more secrets in the public health.”
The Duterte administration was criticized for its poor pandemic strategy and weak leadership.
In a survey by ASEAN Studies Centre, conducted from November 18, 2020, to January 10, 2021, results showed that 35.8 percent of Filipinos disapproved and 17.9 percent strongly disapproved of the Duterte government's health response.
“We won’t be caught unprepared, under-equipped, and understaffed to fight the next pandemic. To start with, we never got over the pandemic of poor, if any, free public health,” Marcos asserted.
Alongside, the chief executive vowed changes for Filipino nurses who achieved high distinction yet suffered high casualties abroad.
"They are out there because we cannot pay them for the same risk and workload back here. There will be changes starting tomorrow," Marcos said.
Reform in the educational system
The President promised to reform the educational system by reteaching materials used in schools.
"What we teach in our schools, the materials used must be retaught. I am not talking about history, I am talking about the basics, the sciences, sharpening theoretical aptitude and imparting vocational skills such as in the German example," he explained.
He also proposed to reteach the national and global languages.
Marcos mentioned that elementary teachers are heroes who are “fighting ignorance with poor paper weapons.”
He said there is hope for the comeback of the education system that once prepared the coming generations for more and better jobs.
Marcos expressed his trust in Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio, the current Cabinet Secretary of Education, to fulfill the mission.
Environmental issues
Marcos addressed environmental issues in the last part of his speech, in particular the lack of large-scale practical solutions.
"The rich world talks a great deal but does a lot less about it than those with much less but who suffer more death and destruction from climate change and lack of adaptation," he lamented.
He vowed to look for partners and friends to help the country that is at the highest risk despite having a small carbon footprint.
“First spare victims and help them recover, and move on to lessen the harmful impact of climate change,” Marcos said
The President claimed that the Philippines have a part to play in reducing plastic pollution.
“We are the third biggest plastics polluter in the world, but we won’t shirk that responsibility. We will clean up,” he asserted.
