Senators want Marcos to discuss plans on pandemic recovery during first SONA

Days before President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s first State of the Nation Address, some senators expressed hope that the Chief Executive would tackle the country's pandemic recovery in his SONA.

Senator Loren Legarda said she is looking forward to hearing Marcos' specific measures on the transition to a "better normal," hoping that this will be "aligned and attuned to the climate path."

"I am also eager to hear the President speak about his priority programs and policy reforms on health and education, food security, agriculture and sustainability programs, economic and fiscal policies, human rights and social justice, unemployment and underemployment, legislative agenda, and the critical role of the local governments," Legarda said in a statement.

She is hoping to hear Marcos' plans on strengthening the country's education system and his response to the running national debt, which is at P12.495 trillion as of May of this year.

Legarda also said she wants Marcos to discuss his foreign policy, including maritime issues with China, as well as his actions in addressing inflation and the soaring fuel prices.

Similar to Legarda, Senator Sonny Angara also wants to hear Marcos' plans for the country's economy amid its battle with the COVID-19 pandemic and its ill effects.

Angara noted that, just like the rest of the Filipino people, he "wants to listen to the plans of the President on the recovery of the economy and addressing the various concerns of the different sectors affected by the pandemic."

“Kung paano mapapaganda ang serbisyo ng pamahalaan pagdating sa kalusugan, sa edukasyon, paano makalikha ng trabaho, 'yan ang gustong marinig ng ating mga kababayan sa darating na SONA ni President BBM,” Angara said in a press release.

(How the government will provide better service to Filipinos, in terms of health, education, job generation... that's what the public wants to hear in President BBM's SONA.)

He is also interested in knowing Marcos' plan to closely work with the private sector. He acknowledged that all sectors would require assistance in order to recover from the health crisis and resume their normal activities.

“Ito po ang unang SONA ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos at marami ang natuwa sa kanyang inaugural speech noong sinabi niyang gusto niyang makitang maging partner ng pribadong sektor ang gobyerno,” Angara said.

(This is his first SONA and a lot were grateful with his inaugural speech when he said that he wants to partner with the private sector.)

“Kaya, maraming naghihintay kung paano niyang maisasakatuparan itong tema o pilosopiya niya at mabigyan ng pag-asa ang ating mga kababayan dito sa darating na anim na taon,” he added.

(A lot of Filipinos were waiting how this plan will be put into action and how this will give hope to Filipinos in the next six years.)

For his part, Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa said he wants to hear that the new administration will continue the achievements of former President Rodrigo Duterte.

"Sana marinig ko na gusto niyang ipagpatuloy ang lahat ng mga gains na naachieve ng ating previous administration, lalong-lalo na dito sa droga, kriminalidad, at terorismo," Dela Rosa said in an interview on Unang Balita.

(I want to hear Marcos saying that he will continue the gains of the previous administration, especially in terms of the campaign against illegal drugs, criminality, and terrorism.)

He also urged the public to listen to Marcos' legislative agenda.

Meanwhile, Senator Christopher "Bong" Go also wants Marcos "to outline his legislative agenda with special focus on pandemic response and full and inclusive recovery."

He is hoping that the new administration will improve the country's healthcare system, food supply, and disaster response measures, among others.

"Bilang senador, umaasa akong patuloy nating palalakasin ang ating healthcare system, may tiyak na supply ng murang pagkain, mas ligtas ang ating mga komunidad at mabilis ang magiging pagtugon sa mga sakuna at kalamidad, at mas maraming imprastraktura ang maitatayo upang mas maraming malikhang kabuhayan para sa mga Pilipino," Go said.

(As senator, I'm hoping that we will continue to develop our healthcare system, ensure sufficient food supply, guarantee a safer community that can respond swiftly to accidents and disasters, and more infrastructures that will provide jobs for Filipinos.)

Go further expressed hope that the Marcos administration would continue the Build, Build, Build program of the previous administration and intensify the campaign against corruption, criminality, and illegal drugs.

"Together and united as one hopeful Filipino nation, we will build on the successes that are already happening in our country, continue to make the lives of our people more comfortable, and ensure that no Filipino will be left behind in our road towards fuller recovery," Go said.

Marcos is set to deliver his first SONA next week, July 25.

The Presidential Security Group has said the security preparations for the event are already in its final stages.—AOL/RSJ, GMA News