Genuine SONA

Time, attention, resources are focused yearly on the SONA (State of the Nation Address).

Those from various sectors who spend their time and attention for the SONA have their own expectations before, during, and after the annual delivery in Congress.

Assessments are as diverse not only in terms of whether they agree or disagree with the issues raised or not raised in the SONA.

Many question whether the SONA really speak for the nation, for the Filipino people. There are just as many who question whether promises, issues raised in SONAs are followed up, implemented, fulfilled.

Whether the SONA is about the state of local government units (of towns, cities, provinces, the whole country), would it not be more valuable/useful, more meaningful if the state of the poor, the vulnerable, the marginalized is highlighted as the main/most urgent priority year in, year out?

When will genuine SONAs report and focus on who, how many, and where are the most needy, and, a.) How the administration, for the past year, has improved the lives of the needy, the most challenged among our people, b.) What challenges remain, and c.) What post-SONA concrete measures will be implemented to further improve the daily lives of those who experience hunger/poverty/homelessness/poor health/unemployment/low/unstable/no wages/income/inflation/rising prices, and more?

Even without research, the face of poverty/hunger/sickness/vulnerability/ marginalization are starkly clear, real and present all throughout the country especially among our farmers/fishers/forest dwellers/indigenous peoples/urban poor/transport drivers, and more.

If this year’s SONA will provide more funds for LGUs, will there be a corresponding order of compliance for these funds to be used ONLY and/or MOST URGENTLY for the neediest per LGU?

By now, each LGU should already have a clear, authentic, complete list of the needy in their areas based on objective criteria, not political patronage.

Each year, each SONA all over the country should be required to report on the real state of the needy per LGU.

More funds and incentives from national government can then be provided to LGUs that effectively improve the plight of the needy in their areas. In contrast, disincentives, sanctions should be imposed on the non-performing, negligent LGUs!

Would it not be beneficial for all constituents and the whole nation if, before and during every yearly SONA, regular, annual clear/authentic/correct budget and project accountability are required/mapped out for every LGU, and, summarized/presented in Congress so that transparency and security of national/local funds can be monitored/ensured more effectively, more regularly?

Requiring these annual, genuine budget and project reports can also help to curb corruption that has caused and continues to cause and inflict the extremely daily harsh survival challenges among the vulnerable and marginalized among our people.

Importantly, annual budget preparation/planning, process, approval, regular monitoring, evaluation, and public disclosure should be more inclusive and transparent at all levels of government, from grassroots, from local to national.

Including budget allocations, distribution, utilization and accounting can be a much appreciated and timely item to vigilantly include in every local, national SONA.

Time for constituents and sectors throughout all the country to insist, to demand for budget transparency to be included in all SONAs!

Critics ask: Are SONAs really presenting genuine, precise, correct, comprehensive data, analysis and understanding of the real situation of our people from various sectors, classes, locations throughout our country?

Can’t SONAs genuinely serve as useful roadmaps showing not only the annual goals and clear path and government measures to ensure sustainable development for our people, our environment, all throughout our country?

Sadly, until now, SONAs have not really translated into genuine service/welfare delivery protecting and prioritizing the needy/marginalized among our people and our country’s environment and resources.

Will the 2026 SONA also go the way of previous SONAs?

Oh, if only SONAs truly translate into real/genuine/effective protection of our needy people and our environment!