A nearly 90-minute address at the Batasang Pambansa drew both cheers and jeers. The President delivered his fifth State of the Nation Address, and Filipinos from all walks of life expected clear answers to concerns that have weighed on them for years.
As Palaweños, we view the SONA through the lens of three issues that directly affect our lives and livelihoods: fuel prices, system loss in electricity, and the West Philippine Sea.
Fuel costs remain a heavy burden on ordinary families, transport workers, farmers, fisherfolk, and small businesses. In a province like Palawan, where long distances and transport costs already strain daily life, any increase in fuel prices is felt immediately. Fuel drives the cost of food, fares, and basic goods. That is why promises on fuel are heard not with idle curiosity but with urgency and hope.
System loss in our electrical network imposes another invisible tax on households. Many may not understand the technical term, but they feel its effects through higher monthly bills and less money for essential needs. In a province that still struggles with reliable electricity, reducing system loss is not merely a technical concern. It is a matter of fairness, efficiency, and genuine service to the people.
Most important is the West Philippine Sea, an issue that transcends politics and touches national dignity. For Palawan, it is not an abstract debate but a lived reality. It affects our fisherfolk and coastal communities, and it shapes the province’s future security and prosperity. We need a strong and consistent policy that protects our rights, supports our people, and sends a clear message: What is ours must be defended. Sa manlulupig, hindi pasisiil.
The true value of any SONA lies not in applause or criticism but in whether its words become meaningful action for the people. Sa huli, piliin nating manindigan sa mga usaping tunay na makapagkakaisa sa atin bilang mga Pilipino. Piliin nating maging Pilipino.
The more it is about the Philippines, the more we must expect leadership that listens, delivers, and stands firm for the nation. That is the true state of the nation.
