Highlights from the
2024 State of the Nation Address
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. delivered his third SONA, confronting economic realities, asserting sovereign rights, and announcing major policy shifts, including a total ban on POGOs.
Major Policy Shift
POGO Ban
Immediate effectivity
Agricultural Seizures
₱2.7B
Smuggled goods intercepted
Territorial Stance
WPS Reality
Sovereignty firmly asserted
Climate Action
Fund Host
Loss and Damage Fund Board
Addressing the Nation's Realities
In a nearly 90-minute address at the Batasang Pambansa, President Marcos Jr. delivered what many considered his most direct and emotionally resonant SONA. He openly acknowledged the stark contrast between the country's impressive macroeconomic growth and the daily struggles of ordinary Filipinos, particularly concerning inflation and the high cost of food like rice.
"The hard lesson of this last year has made it very clear that whatever current data proudly bannering our country as among the best-performing in Asia, means nothing to a Filipino, who is confronted by the price of rice at 45 to 65 pesos per kilo," the President stated, committing to aggressive measures against hoarders and smugglers.
Key Takeaways
The POGO Ban
- • Total Prohibition: Declared an immediate and total ban on all Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).
- • DOLE Mandate: Instructed the Department of Labor and Employment to find new jobs for displaced Filipino workers by the end of the year.
West Philippine Sea
- • Firm Assertion: Declared that the Philippines' ownership of the WPS is "not an imagination but a reality."
- • Peaceful Resolution: Emphasized that the country will continue to assert its rights through proper diplomatic channels and international law.
Agriculture & Smuggling
- • Record Harvest: Highlighted the highest rice harvest in the past year.
- • Confiscations: Repurposed confiscated smuggled rice by distributing it to the poor.
- • ASF Vaccine: Announced readiness to roll out vaccines against African Swine Fever.
Climate & Education
- • Global Role: Confirmed the Philippines as the host of the UN Loss and Damage Fund Board.
- • Digital Gap: Vowed to provide more computers and solar power to schools to bridge the digital divide.
Economic Trajectory
Despite acknowledging the sting of inflation, the President noted that employment rates are high (95.9%) and the country's financial system remains robust.
He underscored the continuous build-out of physical and digital infrastructure—from new evacuation centers and flood control projects to the National Fiber Backbone—as critical components to sustaining growth and improving the overall quality of life.
"Our system of education must be strategically calibrated to make sure that our youth are not only taught to become literate. But, it must also consciously develop them into problem-solvers, and into critical thinkers."
— President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
