02/08/2026
One week later, what do you remember from SONA 2026?
From policy priorities to key announcements, we've rounded up some of the notable points from this year's State of the Nation Addressโall in one quick read.
๐ฃ๏ธ STATE OF THE NATION ADDRESS 2026 ๐
The fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) officially commenced on Monday, July 27, 2026, when members of Congress and other public officials were invited to the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City to hear President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.โs speech addressing the recent challenges faced by the country, such as public transportation, shortages in basic services, corruption, housing, and the energy crisis. The Presidentโs speech lasted for one hour and thirty minutes, focusing on the administrationโs anti-corruption efforts, the economic fallout caused by the Middle Eastern conflict, the recovered flood control funds, proposed amendments to the EPIRA law, and the tax relief package for the middle class. He also announced the establishment of the first Philippine-built spaceport in Cagayan by next year and introduced the Pax Silica initiative.
Marcosโs opening remarks centered on the PHP 25 billion recovered flood control projects, as he vowed accountability for the officials involved in the controversy last year. This included former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, whom Marcos stated would soon face imprisonment as the Ombudsman and the National Prosecution Service prepare to file multiple cases against the former House Speaker. Moreover, the President acknowledged the 10th anniversary of the 2016 arbitration ruling on the South China Sea, emphasizing its significance as a benchmark for the application of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). He extended this recognition to the coast guard personnel and fisherfolk who continue to uphold the maritime agreement, stating that Filipinos are resilient, not greedy, and possess dignity and self-respect.
Subsequently, Marcos highlighted that the government had already distributed more than 26,000 metric tons of rice to 2.5 million families while implementing price controls on imported rice to address the impact of the oil price crisis. Through the โBenteng Bigas Meron Naโ program, more than 12 million Filipinos benefited, including two million farmers and fisherfolk who received assistance through the Presidential Assistance to Farmers, Fisherfolk and Families program during the crisis. The President also offered condolences and tribute to the victims of the Tacloban school shooting while announcing the deployment of 10,000 school counselor associates in coordination with local governments, the Department of Education, and the police to strengthen campus security.
President Marcos had also called on Congress to amend the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) to prevent firms from passing systems loss charges, including the Value Added Tax (VAT), to consumers. He argued that it was unfair for consumers to shoulder the costs of systems losses that regularly appear on their household electricity bills under the current law. Conversely, Marcos reassured the public that the country had secured alternative oil supplies from Japan, South Korea, Oman, India, Russia, and China to manage pump prices and prevent further oil price increases. He also recalled Congressโ passage of a law suspending excise taxes on LPG and kerosene for three months while negotiations continued with Iran regarding the safety of Filipino crew members aboard vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
On the other hand, the President urged Congress to pass a three-part tax relief package for the middle class and small businesses. This includes expanding the income tax exemption to cover workers earning up to PHP 350,000 annually, reducing income taxes for other workers, exempting small businesses from the minimum corporate income tax, and granting amnesty for unpaid income, estate, and value-added taxes, including their penalties, to ease financial burdens. Marcos also stated his intention to revisit nuclear energy production due to its potential to strengthen the countryโs energy security and reduce electricity costs. He cited the untapped reserve of 222 billion cubic feet of natural gas from the Malampaya drilling site, which he stated could power 1.6 million households for eight years.
Meanwhile, Marcos briefly discussed the Pax Silica initiative, which aims to create an AI ecosystem under the Luzon Economic Corridor (LEC). The initiative is expected to position the Philippines as an advanced manufacturing and logistics hub within global AI and technology value chains, although concerns remain regarding the water demands of data centers and possible mining expansion. The President also announced that the Philippines would launch its first spaceport in Cagayan in partnership with a South Korean aerospace company, with testing expected to begin next year. He further addressed agrarian reform beneficiaries, stating that they would become debt-free by the end of the year following the administrationโs distribution of more than 400,000 land titles covering 500,000 hectares within four years. Additionally, Marcos highlighted the removal of tariffs on electric vehicles until 2028 to reduce costs and instructed government agencies to prioritize electric vehicle adoption, aiming to achieve widespread EV integration by 2040. He also called for progress on the long-delayed public transportation modernization program.
Marcos concluded his speech by emphasizing foreign exports and various healthcare programs under the health sector. He assured the continued growth of Philippine exports, ranging from technology products to agricultural goods such as ube, coconut, bananas, and enoki mushrooms, as foreign investments increase due to policies promoting digital transformation and reducing red tape and corruption. Furthermore, he stated that 4.5 million out of 25 million registered Filipinos had already received medical check-ups this year through PhilHealthโs Yamang Kalusugan at Proteksyon/Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (YAKAP), which will expand services through additional blood tests and medicines to help detect kidney, liver, and thyroid diseases at an early stage.
Lastly, the President reflected on the previous yearโs SONA by highlighting the impact of the Zero Balance Billing policy, which benefited three million Filipinos admitted in Department of Health (DOH) hospital wards without requiring payment. The government also expanded digital access to the Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP) program through the eGovPH application, reaching more than eight million patients. Additionally, families utilizing PhilHealth benefits increased from five million in 2022 to more than 7.5 million in the past year.
