As West Philippine Sea fight continues: President Marcos bans POGOs

CEBU, Philippines — The immediate closure of Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGO), the continuous fight for the West Philippine Sea, and the resolution on the increase in commodities like rice and electricity were among the top issues addressed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during his third State of the Nation Address, yesterday July 22, 2024.

In his speech that was around an hour and 22 minutes, his declaration to close all POGOs in the country received one of loudest applause from the audience, with lawmakers rising to their feet and chanting "BBM! BBM!"

“Effective today, all POGOs are banned,” said Marcos.

Another well-applauded part of Marcos’ speech was when he stressed that the West Philippine Sea is not a mere “figment of imagination.”

“Ang West Philippine Sea ay hindi kathang-isip natin lamang. Ito ay atin. At ito ay mananatiling atin, hangga’t nag-aalab ang diwa ng ating minamahal na bansang Pilipinas,” Marcos said.

Further, a year after ordering the prioritization of the Cebu-Negros-Panay connection, Marcos reported its completion this year and more as he vows to make electricity bills more reasonable and more affordable, especially to the less-fortunate ones.

“As energy projects get completed and new investments pour into the sector, we expect our nation’s power supply to increase at a steady pace to meet our growing demand in the next few years. Nonetheless, we are continuously diagnosing and urgently addressing power shortages, as well as the systemic causes of blackouts in unserved and underserved areas,” President Marcos Jr.said.

Along with this, Marcos said the government has already taken measures to address the electricity problems and brownouts through micro and off-grid systems and solar-powered missionary small power utilities.

PBBM said all stages of the Cebu-Negros-Panay backbone project have already been completed.

“This project shall serve to stabilize the power situation in Western and Central Visayas, and avert recurrences of power outages experienced in the past. Dahil sa proyektong ito, naiwasan ang blackouts sa Panay Island noong Abril hanggang Hunyo, sa kabila ng yellow at red alerts sa rehiyon,” he said.

Last week, the Dumanjug-Corella Line of the Cebu-Bohol Interconnection Project had also been energized, which enables the transfer of power between Cebu and Bohol.

“With these systems currently operating at capacity, these major power lines shall contribute to the efficient power exchanges not only between Luzon and the Visayas, but also involving Mindanao,” he added.

The energy sharing and transfers between, among, and within the three island groups have now been made possible with the energization last January of the Mindanao-Visayas Interconnection accordingly.

“The energization of the Mindanao-Visayas Interconnection is a defining moment not only for the power sector but for the entire country. Finally, we have connected the power grids of all three major island groups,” the President highlighted.

This as aside the Vis-Min area, the government has also inaugurated Mariveles-Hermosa-San Jose transmission line via Bataan, Pampanga and Bulacan to further strengthen the reliability of the Luzon power grid.

“The “unified Philippine Grid” is a fulfillment of the dream, whose seeds were planted in the 80s, through a vision bolstered by R and D (research and development), which we accomplished by applying typical Filipino persistence and dedication,” PBBM said.

He added that the government is also building more infrastructure to lower the high electricity rates and some other measures have been taken to address such concern.

On the high price of rice, Marcos said he is aware that it remains high, but said the government continues to do something about it with the continued support in agriculture from planting, harvesting, and delivery of products, as well as in the price monitoring, not only of rice, but as well as other goods.

While PBBM mentioned anew railways and ports, both sea and air improvements, he did not include this time any mention on Cebu especially on the update on the CBRT, the Metro Cebu Expressway and railways.

PBBM, however, did mention sports and his commitment to grassroots development that included the just-concluded Palarong Pambansa in Cebu City.

PBBM congratulated the cities of Marikina and Cebu along with DepEd for the successful staging of the back-to-back multisporting event. Marikina hosted the return of the Palaro after the Covid-19 pandemic last year while Cebu City hosted this year’s edition.

“We will continue to support these health-enhancing sports programs. Through these, we also set forth our youth on the same well-established path that has taken some of our national champions and renowned athletes to sporting greatness,” PBBM said.

PBBM also wished the close to 30 Filipino athletes competing in the Paris Olympics which includes three Cebuanos, weightlifters John Febuar Ceniza and Elreen Ann Ando and judoka Kiyumi Watanabe.

The President's third SONA yesterday was well-attended by his family, legislators, senators, and cabinet members. Former Philippine Presidents Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Joseph Ejercito Erap Estrada were also in attendance.

As she has earlier mentioned, Vice President Sara Duterte did not attend the SONA. — (FREEMAN)