ENGLISH 8

Submitted by: Daniel Anthony L. Cabrera

Section: 3-BLM

A Descriptive Writing of the SONA

 Activity # 2: A Descriptive Writing of the SONA

Source: www.philstar.com/sonaheadlines/2017

www.newsinfo.inquirer.net

“Change Has Come”

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte delivered on Monday, July 24, 2017 his second State of the Nation

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

City. The speech of Duterte embodies the advocacies of his three key agenda which are: prosperity for

all; law and order; and peace which categorize the positive change felt by the people. The state of the

nation address started at 4:20 in the afternoon and ended after 2 hours and 6 minutes longer than his

previous SONA. Duterte admitted that he has enemies of the state. He even criticized some organizations

like ABS-CBN for their biased stories about him. In one of the discussions of the SONA, the president

discussed his administration’s proposed 20128 national budget, worth 3.7676 Trillion which was allotted

for education, infrastructure, development and health care. The SONA consisted of the appeal to the

legislators to pass the Land Use Act. It ensures the sustainable use of land by instituting planning

mechanisms to evaluate land use. Another point was a call to craft on authority to response to the 21st

century conditions. Duterte also called on the House of Representatives, to craft a law establishing a new

department empowered to deliver enhanced disaster resiliency and quick disaster response. The

establishment of 8888-Citizen’s Complaint Hotline where the administration put up a public hotline facility

where people can air their grievances or complains against the government. By this hotline, the people

now have an avenue to provide feedback on numerous issues such as slow government processing,

discourteous staff and other concerns. In addition to that Duterte mentioned in his speech the widened

reach of skills training and increased number of out of school children. The “No Balance Billing” Policy

wherein Duterte ensured that Filipinos are given equitable access to qualify affordable health services. In

this policy, no other fees shall be charged or be paid for by the indigent patients and beyond the packaged

rates during their confinement period. The executive order number 26 or the Smoking Ban in Public and

Enclosed Places. The National Broadband Plan of 2017 for the improvement of sea connectivity and land
transportation with regard to sea connectivity. The responsible, regulated and sustainable environment as

priority where the president warned all mining operators and contractors to refrain from destroying natural

resources. The Comprehensive Tax Reform of 2017. As one of Duterte’s priority reforms, the Tax Reform

Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) was implemented, that address the problems of the previous tax

system.

A part of the State of the Nation by President Rodrigo Duterte was the proposal of the National

Land Use Act, siting the aggravating environmental situations. According to the President, this is to ensure

the rationale of sustainable use of the land. It seeks to institute a land use and physical planning as

mechanisms for identifying, determining and evaluating land use an allocation patterns to promote

sustainable management and utilization of natural resources, through this Land Use Act, there will be a

good allotment of natural resources steady with the concept of stable development. In the part of the

Citizen’s Complaint Hotline of 8888, the Duterte Administration has given the public the opportunity to give

their complaints and concerns against the Government. Through this hotline, the citizens now have a pillar

to deliver their reactions on various issues covering the government ways and other matters. This hotline

system is under the supervision of the Office of the Cabinet Secretary, Leoncio Evasco Jr. one fo the

president’s most trusted men. This mechanism where citizens may report their complaints and grievances

on acts of red tape as defined on Republic Act No. 9485 and other relevant laws and corruption of any

national government agency, government-owned or controlled corporation, government financial

institution and other instrumentalities of the government. President Duterte, in another topic that he

disclosed in the SONA, crafter a law establishing a new department that is responsive to the prevailing

21st Century conditions and empower to best deliver the enhanced disaster resiliency and quick disaster

response. The President also directed the cabinet cluster on climate change and disaster response. The

president also directed the cabinet cluster on climate change and disaster risk management to coordinate

with the local government unites, private sector, communities that may be affected by a massive

earthquake that may originate from the West Valley, which stretches from Aurora to Laguna. Currently

speaking, the Philippines has the National Defense Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC)
which is under the Department of National Defense. The Philippines has been experiencing the natural

hazards recounting the past disasters that hit the Philippines. It’s geographic location, being in the typhoon

belt and the Pacific Ring of Fire, makes it susceptible to hazards such as tropical cyclones and

earthquakes. According to the Metropolitan Manila Earthquake Impact Reduction Study published in 2004,

around 34,000 people could die in case the big one happen. The president said disaster resiliency in Metro

Manila is a matter of urgent national concern.

K to 12 System was hailed by President Rodrigo Duterte considering it as the centerpiece for basic

education under his administration. According to the President by merely enhancing the quality of

development and access to education and training programs to all we will be able to accelerate human

capital development. The president decided to support the program ahead of the nationwide rollout of

Grade 11 Students. On the previous year, the focus of the Duterte Administration was on the basic

education, mandatory education on the evils of drugs and the Alternative Learning

System. In the part of the Balangiga Bells, which are being claimed back by the President from the United

States as spoils of war, it is still undergoing the process of indemnification in relation to the United States.

The Balangiga Bells once found in Balangiga Chruch in Eastern Samar, had been taken by the Americans.

Signaling a historic agenda, the bells led to the US Military’s so called worst single defeat in the Philippines,

In what is known as the Balangiga Massacre, locals outsmarted and killed 48 out of 74 US Troops in 1901.

More than 3000 online petitioners also urged the US in 2014 to return the Balangiga Bells. On the part of

the No Balance Billing Policy, it is of the decision of the President to implement its existence unto the

Filipino People. This is a policy that PhilHEalth introduced in 2011, which mandates that no other fees

shall be charged or paid for by covered patients who availed of treatment for any of the most common

medical and surgical cases. The comprehensive health care for the indigent shall also include drugs and

medicine supplies or diagnostic procedures, which shall be provided at no cost.

An executive order has been signed by President Duterte on banning smoking in public places

nationwide. This provides standards for a spot to be considered a designated smoking area which may

either be an open space or a separate area with proper ventilation. On its requirements, there shall be no
opening that would allow air to escape into smoke free area of a building or a conveyance. Minors are

prohibited from smoking areas and bars establishment of smoking areas in schools hospitals, clinics, food

preparation areas and locations in which fire hazards is present. On the other hand, the president has also

approved the national broadband plan as for the government to bring faster internet service to the public.

Due to the reputation of the Philippines to having slow internet connection, plans to set up a nationwide

broadband infrastructure. According to the President, the government would be providing free wireless

internet on parks, plazas, public libraries, schools and hospitals. On the part of the war against drugs, the

President defended that raising the issue of human rights and due process “trivialized” crimes. What is

important to him is for him to fulfill his obligation as the President. He also called on the passage of the

death penalty on one of his campaign promises. The controversial measure, which went down to cover

drug-related crimes, passed the House of Representative and is expected to face stronger opposition. On

another controversial measure that reduces income tax and increases taxes on new cars, fuel and sugar

sweetened beverages. He also emphasized that the poor and vulnerable are at the heart of his tax reform.

In summary of the plans and progress that the President has done, the advocacies of the President

which are prosperity for all, law and order and peace which categorizes the positive changes of people.

On the war on drugs, despite local and international condemnation, the President assures continuity on

the war of drugs. On the issue of mining and harmful effects to nature, he made it clear that it protection

of the environment must be made a priority. On the part of investments, billions were generated and calls

on the investors to put up factories for the Philippines to be able to process raw materials into finished

products. One of the top priorities of the President is to provide quality education for students by supporting

K to 12.Under the Duterte Administration, the Philippines has finally launched the government hotline of

8888. Human Rights have been such disappointment to the never ending accusations against him and

even challenged detractors to public debate. Plans to improve broadband connectivity, installed free WIFI

in public areas. More significant amount for the Overseas Filipino Workers will be provided by the

President. Implementation of No Balance billing Policy in hospitals and healthcare. Indemnification for the

Balangiga Samar Bells are implemented as well as the Independent Foreign Policy. The Executive Order
26 or the passage of the nationwide smoking ban and the orders of the MMDA to clear road obstructions.

The Duterte Adminstration may be different form the past administrations that have taken over however,

his conventional and honest way of expressing and leading the Philippines would be a stepping stone for

the Republic of the Philippines to rise and be a great nation.