Groups point out gaps between reality and 2026 SONA promises, plans

MANILA, Philippines – Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, July 27, highlighted government achievements and plans, but several sectors across the country said his address lacked concrete actions to respond to their long-standing issues. Promises vs reality During his SONA, Marcos highlighted government programs for farmers and fisherfolk, including the Benteng Bigas Meron Na program, KADIWA Centers, and the Presidential Assistance to Farmers, Fisherfolk, and Families. Marcos said these initiatives provided support to millions of Filipinos affected by high food and fuel prices. However, farmers and fisherfolk groups said they have yet to feel the benefits of these programs. “The farmers we’ve talked to are also tired of the promises from the government, and even more so amid millions of pesos lost to corruption while they struggle with poverty, low farmgate prices, insecure livelihoods, and displacement from their land and fishing grounds,” Audrey de Jesus from IBON Foundation said in the Rappler app. To cope, De Jesus said communities rely on collective farming efforts, local support systems, and partnerships with advocates while continuing to assert their rights to land, livelihoods, and food. Meanwhile, Mercy Wabe, an indigenous person (IP) with disability from Cagayan de Oro, said the Benteng Bigas Meron Na program, which Marcos declared to have benefitted 12 million Filipinos, has yet to reach many indigenous communities, noting that rice still costs at least P50 per kilo where she lives. NOTES OF PROMISES. An IP with disability outlining the President’s commitments during his fifth SONA. Photo by Rae Goco The gap between promises and reality resonated in the education sector, with youth groups questioning whether Marcos’ plans would address students’ and teachers’ struggles. Marcos highlighted efforts to strengthen the senior high school curriculum through intensified work immersion and curriculum improvements to better prepare students for the workforce. But youth groups questioned whether these programs would address the bigger challenges students continue to face, including access to education and support. “We listened to what was said regarding the rescaling and upscaling of senior high school students, as well as the plan for expanded work immersion for them. What exactly is this administration’s goal for senior high school? Is it for free labor or for experience?” Matt Gonzaga of Pamatan‑on Kontra Kurapsyon said in a mix of English and Filipino during the Panay People’s SONA watch party at the University of the Philippines Visayas Little Theater. PANAY PEOPLE’S SONA. Watchers from across Panay gather at the UP Visayas Little Theater ahead of Marcos’ SONA. Photo by Luvale Malcontento Gonzaga also questioned the scholarship support announced during the SONA, referring to Marcos’ plan to provide P100,000 to five students in every barangay nationwide through the Presidential Scholars program. He said more Filipino students should have access to educational assistance rather than only a select few. “He is not addressing or providing solutions to the chronic issues in the education sector, such as the facilities and local resources of our public schools,” Gonzaga said. The call for concrete education reforms was echoed by Rappler app user Junadee, who is also an ESL (English as a Second Language) teacher. “I was also hoping to hear more during the SONA about improvements to the education system, because it is really difficult to juggle work and studies. I hope programs become more accessible and supportive for students like me,” Junadee said in the Rappler app. Left out of plans For other marginalized sectors, the issue was not only the absence of concrete programs but also whether the administration’s plans considered sectors that continue to face systemic barriers and exclusion. MIXED SENTIMENTS. LILAK’s SONA watch party attendees show their reactions with paper plates. Photo by Rae Goco At LILAK Purple Action’s National Indigenous Women Gathering 2026, indigenous participants said Marcos’ SONA failed to address the needs of their community as they continue to experience barriers to rights and services. “Parang [ang] sakit sa pakiramdam na ‘yung mga katutubong may mga kapansanan [na] isa sa [mga] vulnerable sector, wala [palang] bahagi sa kaniyang plano at proyekto,” said Heartcell Paborada, an IP with disability. (It’s painful to know that indigenous people with disabilities, who belong to a vulnerable sector, were apparently left out of his plans and projects.) Marcos mentioned developments in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao during his SONA, including preparations for peaceful and credible parliamentary elections. But Fentaillan Rebecca Mokudef, an elderly Teduray community member, remained skeptical whether these plans would translate into meaningful action for indigenous communities, with Inged Fintalian member Jennevie Cornelio noting that indigenous communities are often left out of decisions affecting their region. Still, Cornelio remains hopeful and looks forward to seeing whether the President’s promises will be inclusive of the welfare and rights of indigenous groups in the region. SONA BINGO CARDS. Students use bingo cards to track Marcos’ SONA promises (L). Bingo cards (R) show which concerns were raised during the speech and which issues were left unmentioned. Photos by Katz Navarro and Sab Go Aside from concerns over inclusion, other groups also pointed to issues they said were not sufficiently addressed in Marcos’ speech, including economic reforms, anti-corruption measures, the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, and LGBTQ+ rights. – with reports from Luvale Malcontento and Rae Goco/Rappler.com Luvale Malcontento is a Rappler volunteer from West Visayas State University. She is an incoming senior taking up AB English Language Studies. Rae Goco is a Rappler volunteer from Ateneo de Manila University. She is an incoming junior taking up AB Communication with a focus on the journalism track. She currently serves as the features editor of The GUIDON.