MANILA, Philippines—President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. made sure the poor water service problem affecting millions of Filipinos and the steps his administration is doing to address this is among the most significant issues he will discuss on his Monday’s State of the Nation Address (SONA).
The President said Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) is now doing the necessary measures against its incompetent partners to resolve the issues on poor water services to millions of people.
He said, on top of this, he will make sure that those who committed negligence and incompetence in this basic service to the public will be held accountable.
“Ginagawa na ng LWUA ang kaukulang hakbang laban sa palpak na ka-partner nila upang mailagay na sa ayos ang serbisyo sa tubig para sa milyon-milyon nating mga kababayan. Higit sa lahat, titiyakin nating mapanagot ang mga nagpabaya at nagkulang sa mahalagang serbisyo publiko na ito,” the President said as he delivered his third SONA purely in the mother tounge.
Among the other issues he tackled was the Mariveles-Naic Expressway which previous 5-hour travel time will be lessened to only 45 minutes. The construction of this he said, will begin end of the year.
Other notable projects of his administration he mentioned were that before the 2025 ends, all public schools in the country will have free internet and that more evacuation centers will be constructed to stop using schools and classrooms for the said purpose so that classes will not be disturbed.
The country is now using advance and modern radar equipment for wheather system monitoring.
The President said whoever is behind the missing sabungeros cannot evade the law. “Kahit malakas, mabigat o mayaman, hindi sila mangingibabaw sa batas. Ipaparamdam natin sa kanila ang parusa,” he said.
As he continued on anti-criminality works of the Philippine National Police (PNP), the police will respond to ongoing crime in just about 5 minutes.
He said today, guerilla does not sxist anymore in the country and that 13 million Filipinos are safe and secure from conflicts. “Nagbabalik-loob na ang mga nag-alsa.”
According to the President, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the PNP and the rebels are now united for peace in Mindanao.
He also reported to the Filipino people that he had tasked the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to make sure that what it had promised release within 3 days of the registration plates will be fulfilled.
He also said that government services are available through online and that Filipinos should now download the internet app on this to benefit and avail.
Several other topics were discussed including about flooding, Overseas Filipino Worlkers, youth education, healfh concerns of the youth, zero bills in Department of Health (DOH) hospitals, expanded services of PhilHealth, success in combating illegal drugs, agrarian reform and benefits fo farmers.
