Opposition on SONA: Avoid generalities, give details

MANILA, Philippines — While he conceded that President Marcos’ third State of the Nation Address was well-delivered, opposition legislator and Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman still found the speech wanting, more specifically on details on how to go about the policies set forth.

“What is lacking are the important details in the implementation of said policies,” said the president of the Liberal Party, who declared that the President’s strong stand on the West Philippine Sea “would evoke concurrence on some major policy statements.”

He noted Marcos’ unequivocal upholding of Philippine sovereign rights over the resource-rich West Philippine Sea was rather a “repetition of previous declarations.”

Lagman said the same was true with pronouncements the Chief Executive made on his request for Congress to review for purposes of amending the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA), as well as the total ban on all Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) by the end of 2024.

Thus, Marcos’ rather vague and ambiguous SONA still necessitates a counter-SONA from them.

For his part, Sen. Bong Go expressed support for the programs and plans of President Marcos enumerated during his third SONA.

Go thanked President Marcos for his commitment to significantly expand the number of Super Health Centers nationwide to complement the Malasakit Centers that serve as a one-stop shop to provide medical and financial assistance to indigent and financially incapacitated patients.

“This is one of the things we have been fighting for a long time to be funded to bring basic medical services closer to the poor and those living in isolated and remote areas,” said Go, the chairman of the Senate health committee.

He noted the need for health initiatives aimed at enhancing healthcare infrastructure, strengthening medical assistance programs, improving PhilHealth benefits, and implementing the Regional Specialty Centers Act.

Go also supported President Marcos’ announcement of a total ban on POGOs. “The peace and order and security of Filipinos should be prioritized,” he said.

Go also expressed strong support for expanding the benefits and coverage of PhilHealth. He argued that there is indeed potential to enhance the programs provided by PhilHealth to alleviate the burdens faced by less fortunate patients if available funds are utilized properly. — Neil Jayson Servallos, Rhodina Villanueva, Cecille Suerte Felipe