MANILA -- President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday afternoon delivered his State of the Nation Address (SONA), which is expected to tackle issues related to the West Philippine Sea and rising food prices.  

Marcos began his third SONA by noting the high price of rice, following the El Nino phenomenon that left billions of pesos in agricultural damage.

"Hindi natin binabalewala ang inyong mga hinaing at hirap na dinaranas," Marcos said. 

"Lokal na produksyon pa rin ang ating mas bibigyang halaga kaya mas patuloy nating sinusuportahan ang sektor ng agrikultura upang mapalis, mapadali at mapalakas ang produksyon," he added.

Government will continue selling cheaper agri products at Kadiwa stores and repair irrigation facilities, he said.

Marcos’ 2024 SONA might be his longest so far.

The President's son and Ilocos Norte Rep. Sandro Marcos said the speech would last an hour and a half which is longer than the second SONA that lasted for one hour and 13 minutes. The first SONA was one hour and 11 minutes long.

On Sunday, analyst Ederson Tapia said he expected Marcos Jr. to provide updates on the West Philippine Sea, an issue he described as being closely monitored by both political observers and ordinary citizens.

"Pangunahing na diyan 'yong isyu ng regional security saka 'yong nangyayari sa West Philippine Sea. I think the people would be interested to find out, mayroon ba tayong mga bagong direction? Are there any specific plans na gagawin natin doon sa area na 'yon 'no?" Tapia told Teleradyo Serbisyo.

(The main issue there is regional security and what’s happening in the West Philippine Sea. I think the people would be interested to find out, do we have any new directions? Are there any specific plans that we will implement in that area?)

The Philippines and China have a longstanding history of territorial disputes in the South China Sea, parts of which include the West Philippine Sea. However, tensions escalated following a violent clash at Second Thomas Shoal in June, further straining relations between the two nations.

READ: Philippines, China to boost communication lines on sea disputes

Chinese coast guard personnel armed with knives, sticks and an axe surrounded and boarded three Philippine navy boats on June 17 during a resupply mission to Filipino troops stationed at the reef.

"Siguro ita-tackle niya 'yong inflation, pagmahal ng bilihin and one of them would be bigas at saka other agricultural products," Villar, chair of the Senate agriculture committee, said in a separate Teleradyo Serbisyo interview.

(Maybe he will tackle inflation, the rising prices of goods, and one of them would be rice and other agricultural products.)

"[Baka] idi-discuss niya rin 'yong West Philippine Sea kasi affected din ang mga fishermen doon," Villar added.

(Perhaps he will also discuss the issue of the West Philippine Sea because it also affects the fishermen there.)

Wages, POGOs

Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri also hoped Marcos' speech would touch on inflation, wages and calls to ban Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGOs).

"I look forward to listening to the President’s plan on bringing down inflation... Isa rin sa mga isyung nais nating matalakay ng Pangulo ay ang pagtataas ng arawang sahod ng ating mga minimum wage earners," said Zubiri.

(Another issue that we want the President to address is the increase in the daily wages of our minimum wage earners.)

POGOs, in particular, have recently been implicated in a series of crimes, Zubiri stressed.

"The industry has been plagued by criminal activities, and the social costs far outweigh the revenues. It is time for a clear policy on POGOs, whether it involves an immediate ban or a phased transition to other industries for affected workers," he said.

Marcos has been silent on calls to ban POGOs, with his top security officials refusing the classify the issue as a "national security threat."

House lawmakers raised concerns on the same issues.

"Aminado naman ang Congress, ang gobyerno na we have problems sa inflation, ‘yung mga pagtaas sa presyo ng bilihin, naiwan ang sweldo ng tao, hindi umangat. May issue sa West Philippine Sea. Ang inaabangan ng mga kababayan natin, ano ang mga sasabihin ng Pangulo? What are the solutions?" said House Deputy Majority Leader Rep. Erwin Tulfo of the ACT-CIS party-list.

(Congress and the government admit that we have problems with inflation, the rising prices of goods, and that people's salaries have not increased. There is also an issue with the West Philippine Sea. What our countrymen are waiting for is what the President will say. What are the solutions?)

READ: Lawmakers want to hear Marcos direction on POGOs, inflation, WPS in 2024 SONA

House Assistant Majority Leader Rep. Zia Adiong, representing the first district of Lanao del Sur province, said he wanted to know Marcos' directions in curbing illegal POGO operators.

Education, freedom of information

Tapia said he would also like to hear about the current state of the country's education system.

"Ito'y isang bagay na binabantayan natin over the years and medyo hindi maganda 'yong resulta ng ating performance in many standardized tests across the world," he said.

(This is something we've been monitoring over the years, and the results of our performance in many standardized tests worldwide have been somewhat dismal.)

PISA: Filipino learners still lagging behind in math, reading, science

Conveners of the Philippine Media Safety Summit, comprised of various media groups, urged Marcos to prioritize legislation that decriminalizes libel and enacts a Freedom of Information Law.

"Now is the time for Mr. Marcos to keep his promise and include efforts to ensure a 'truly free and safe environment for all journalists' in his SONA legislative priority," the group said in a statement.

The group also asked Marcos to call for an end to red-tagging, a form of harassment where individuals are accused of being communists or terrorists.

Security, rallies

For its part, the Philippine National Police (PNP) has expressed full readiness to enforce security measures during the SONA.

PNP Chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil stated that the police force is prepared not only to manage protests and traffic, but also to handle situations similar to the recent attempted assassination of former United States President Donald Trump.

READ: 'I'm supposed to be dead' Trump tells NYP after assassination bid

Advocacy groups, such as Kilusang Mayo Uno and Pamalakaya, are also ready to march along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City.

The Quezon City government has issued rally permits for both pro- and anti-government groups.

"Wala tayong titigilan na mag-rally (We won't stop anyone from holding rallies) because we would like to preserve the right to freedom of expression and assembly, which is mandated in our Constitution," Mayor Joy Belmonte told reporters.

Marbil reminded protesters that burning effigies during rallies is prohibited due to its environmental impact.

Notably, Vice President Sara Duterte, who recently resigned from being the education secretary and an official of the government's anti-insurgency task force, will not attend Marcos' SONA.

READ: VP Sara Duterte to skip Marcos SONA

— With reports from Raya Capulong, RG Cruz, Vivienne Gulla, Jeffrey Hernaez and Sherrie Ann Torres, ABS-CBN News

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