President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. advanced a multi-faceted agenda last week, focusing on education, healthcare, energy, transportation, anti-corruption and diplomacy.

It was during the week that he delivered his fourth State of the Nation Address (Sona).

In his speech, Mr. Marcos pledged to step up the review of flood control projects completed by the Department of Public Works and Highways in the last three years.

In a brisk but resolute speech that lasted one hour and 10 minutes, Marcos mapped out the next half of his presidency, laying out a sweeping agenda on jobs, food, education, healthcare, infrastructure, good governance, and security.

He also directly confronted long-simmering public frustration with government inefficiencies.

According to the President, the economy is doing well, business confidence is up, inflation is down, and jobs have increased based on the latest data.

But all of these, he said, are meaningless, mere decoration, if Filipinos are still struggling in their daily lives.

He pledged government efforts to intensify programs to attain food security; vowed to focus on learning recovery, mental health, and health services for students, especially those in far-flung areas; address challenges related to classroom shortages; and strengthen sports development across the country by pouring full support into programs that will hone future champions, starting in the grassroots level.

The Chief Executive had a whole week as he started the second half of his term:

1 August

Connecting schools means investing in success

President Marcos said the government is investing in success as he visited a primary school in Zamboanga del Norte, the latest recipient of a satellite-linked internet system and interactive hub platform.

Camul Elementary School in Tampilisan, Zamboanga del Norte, received two Starlink satellite internet service units that significantly enhanced digital access and connectivity for both educators and students. The school was also a recipient of the Huawei Idea Interactive Hub to aid students in their lessons.

Before the turnover of the satellite-linked system, the school had no internet connection. It relied on the services of a telecom provider, which were discontinued due to billing issues.

106 ambulances to Zambo LGUs

Healthcare access in underserved communities is expected to be enhanced with the distribution of 106 patient transport vehicles or ambulances to local government units in the Zamboanga Peninsula (Region IX).

During the turnover ceremony held in Dipolog City’s Sunset Boulevard, Mr. Marcos said he ordered the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office to prioritize lower-income municipalities in far-flung areas that lacked medical transport.

“We didn’t prioritize the big cities because usually they already have facilities. We focused on the smaller ones — fourth, fifth, and sixth-class municipalities. Then slowly we’ll work our way back,” the President said.

31 July

Israeli envoy says farewell

Outgoing Israeli Ambassador Ilan Fluss made a farewell call at Malacañang.

Fluss shared that during his tour, he was able to strengthen cooperation between the Philippines and Israel in several key areas, such as agriculture, education, and trade. He assumed the post in October 2021.

Stronger German bilateral ties

President Marcos spoke with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz over the phone on Thursday to discuss key areas of cooperation between the Philippines and Germany.

The two leaders discussed strengthening defense and economic cooperation, among other areas of common interest.

“Just had a good conversation with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz,” President Marcos said in a statement. “We talked about strengthening our defense and economic cooperation, working together on regional issues, and creating more opportunities for our people.”

2.6-M households to be empowered

The Marcos administration is pushing ahead with the plan to achieve 100-percent household electrification, targeting to provide electricity to 2.6 million homes in far-flung areas.

In a post-State of the Nation Address discussion on infrastructure and energy security, Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said the electrification strategy consists of three main approaches: micro-grids, solarized homes, and streamlined grid connections.

Garin said electrification has reached 95-percent coverage, with the Department of Energy and National Electrification Administration working to complete the final five percent.

Former Army chief honored

The Commander in Chief honored former Army commanding general, now retired Lt. Gen. Roy Galido, recognizing his many accomplishments during a time of heightened security challenges.

“Beyond the titles and respect he has earned over the years, Lt. Gen. Galido has defined his leadership through dedication and discipline. Under his watch, the Philippine Army has made great strides on and off the battlefield,” Mr. Marcos said during the change of command ceremony at Army headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig.

The ceremony also served as retirement honors for Galido, who stepped down from military service upon reaching the compulsory retirement age of 57.

New Army chief installed

President Marcos on Thursday reiterated his full support for the Armed Forces of the Philippines in naming Lt. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete as the new Commanding General of the Philippine Army.

The President expressed confidence the Philippine Army will continue to stand as a pillar of strength, integrity, and professionalism.

Nafarrete is the 67th commander of the 110,000-strong Philippine Army, succeeding Lt. Gen. Roy Galido, who stepped down upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 57.

30 July

‘Dalian ang Dalian trains’

President Marcos directed the Department of Transportation (DoTr) to fast-track the activation and operation of the remaining 45 of 48 Dalian trains which the government bought over a decade ago for the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) line along EDSA.

In a post-State of the Nation Address forum in San Juan City on Wednesday, DoTr Secretary Vince Dizon said the President was disappointed over the long period that the Dalian trains had remained unused despite their potential to ease commuter woes.

“Yun ang utos ng Pangulo, dalian na natin ‘yung Dalian,” Dizon said.

29 July

WB offers dev’t plan partnership

President Marcos on Tuesday welcomed the World Bank’s Philippines Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for 2025-2031 in support of the administration’s development agenda, particularly in healthcare, education, and jobs creation.

During the launch and turnover ceremony at Malacañang, Marcos said the CPF outlines a clear and strategic path for the next six years that is aligned with the government’s priorities highlighted in his fourth State of the Nation Address.

“The Philippines has accomplished much over these past two decades. However, we are well cognizant of the fact that much more needs to be done to ensure that the progress is truly felt by every Filipino, wherever they may be,” the President said on Tuesday.

28 July

PBBM names acting Ombudsman

The President has designated former Court of Appeals Presiding Justice Mariflor Punzalan-Castillo as Acting Ombudsman, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin announced.

Punzalan-Castillo took her oath before Bersamin. She will serve as acting Ombudsman following the retirement of Samuel Martires on 27 July after a seven-year term.

After graduating from the University of the Philippines College of Law and passing the Bar in 1979, Punzalan-Castillo became an investigator in the Office of the Tanodbayan (precursor of the Office of the Ombudsman).

Solar to 1-M homes

President Marcos said the government would provide electricity to at least one million more homes using solar power in the next three years.

“And by the end of 2028, over one million more households will also have electricity through solar power home systems,” President Marcos said in his fourth State of the Nation Address.

The President said that in the next three years, his administration will construct 200 power plants capable of providing electricity to four million homes, more than 2,000 factories, and almost 7,000 commercial establishments.

Flood corruption: ’Mahiya kayo’

President Marcos delivered a sharp rebuke on corruption in flood control projects, calling out the widespread failure of public infrastructure meant to protect communities from flooding.

In his fourth State of the Nation Address, the President condemned the serious irregularities in flood control projects which contributed to the recent extensive flooding caused by the southwest monsoon and typhoons “Crising,” “Dante” and “Emong.”

The President ordered a comprehensive audit and complete transparency in flood control projects, as well as legal action against those found to have misused funds and illegally profited from the projects.

“I saw that many flood control projects were poorly done and collapsed, and some were just imaginary,” Mr. Marcos said.

Calling out the systemic misuse of public funds, the President exposed how public works had been turned into a network of “kickbacks, initiatives, errata, SOP, for the boys,” which are terms referring to corrupt practices.