Some senators want to see Marcos' roadmap during first SONA

Senators wanted President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. to lay out his plans and programs for the next six years during his first State of the Nation Address SONA on July 25.

In a statement on Monday, Senator JV Ejercito said he wants to hear the specifics on what Marcos intends to do for the country.

He said Marcos should focus on discussing his plans for the economic recovery amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the implementation of the Universal Health Care law, plans on infrastructure, and food security.

"His inauguration speech was inspiring but his SONA needs to flesh out the details of his plan to address the challenges we face," Ejercito said.

With regards to the country's economic recovery, the returning senator said the President should come up with a plan that will protect Filipinos from current and even future pandemics, and at the same time, a proposal for the speedy recovery of the economy amid increasing debts and inflation.

"There have been talks about raising taxes. This cannot be a stand alone plan rather it should be part of a comprehensive economic blueprint that I hope will be discussed in the SONA," he said.

He said in addressing the health crisis, Marcos should anchor his strategy on an effective enforcement of the Universal Health Care law "so we can strengthen our health care system and provide our people with affordable and accessible health care."

Ejercito is the principal sponsor and author of the UHC law in the Senate.

Meanwhile, he also wants Marcos to "unveil" his infrastructure development program. The President has since promised to continue the Build, Build, Build program of the Duterte administration.

"Specifically, infrastructure projects that will modernize our transportation system, strengthen our tourism and more importantly allow for the efficient movement of people and goods," Ejercito said.

He is also hoping to see the specifics of the plan of the Marcos administration in addressing the impending food crisis.

"There have been suggestions to the effect that government should declare a state of agricultural emergency to allow government to address the impending food crisis," Ejercito said.

"In principle, I am amenable to this but only if such is part of a comprehensive plan to ensure food security and there is legislative oversight. I hope the Pres. lays out the specifics of such plan," he added.

Senator Nancy Binay, for her part, wants Marcos to tackle the measures on how the country will recover from the ill effects of the pandemic as well as with the soaring prices of petroleum products.

"Kumbaga ano pa ang nakikita niyang plano kung paano tayo makakaahon sa epekto ng pandemic, sa epekto ng pagtaas ng presyo ng gasolina. Ano ang magiging roadmap for the next six years... 'yun ang dapat mailatag na niya during his first SONA," Binay said in an ambush interview.

(What are his plans for the country's recovery from the pandemic and the increasing prices of oil products. What will be his roadmap in the next six years... that should be discussed during his first SONA.)

On the other hand, neophyte Senator Robinhood Padilla said he wants to hear the President discuss his plans for the sectors of agriculture, energy, and infrastructure.

"Dapat buhayin ang agriculture. Gusto kong marinig ang mga 'yun. Energy, pinangako ko 'yan sa Occidental Mindoro kasi ang mga tao doon ay walang kuryente. Ang gusto kong malaman ano ang mga plano niya rito," Padilla told reporters.

(We should develop our agriculture. I want to hear his plans on that. In terms of energy, I promise the residents of Occidental Mindoro that they will have power supply. I want to hear the President's plans regarding this.)—Anna Felicia Bajo/AOL, GMA News