DEPUTY Speaker Janette Garin of Iloilo on Tuesday said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) directly addressed the issues that matter most to ordinary Filipinos while assuring the public that the government will continue working to ease the impact of economic hardships.
“Isa po ang ating nakita. Ang SONA ng Pangulo ay tumumbok sa problema ng taong-bayan,” Garin said during a press briefing in the House.
She said the President recognized that Filipino families continue to face economic pressures brought about by the lingering effects of the pandemic, global conflicts and climate change.
Despite these challenges, Garin said the President made it clear that while no government can completely eliminate global economic headwinds, it remains committed to helping Filipinos weather the difficulties through responsive programs and public services.
“Nandyan ang gobyerno para maramdaman, maibsan ang problema ng lahat ng pangangailangan,” Garin stressed.
“Hindi man ito perpekto but the government will be there to cushion the impact of the economic crisis.”
Among the measures highlighted by the President were expanded income tax exemptions, lower income taxes for workers, the removal of the minimum corporate income tax for small businesses, and tax amnesty for unpaid income tax, estate tax, donor’s tax and value-added tax (VAT).
The President also pushed for wider VAT exemptions on medicines, additional PhilHealth benefits and the rollout of the Gamot Program to make healthcare more affordable and accessible.
Garin welcomed the administration’s continued support for agriculture to strengthen food production, stabilize supply and help keep food prices affordable for Filipino families.
She also backed the President’s push to lower electricity costs through the proposed Sariling Kuryente Act and amendments to the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA), saying affordable power is vital to easing the financial burden on households and businesses.
On environmental protection, Garin said the President’s call to modernize the country’s solid waste management system was timely as communities continue to grapple with heavier rains and flooding brought about by climate change.
She said better waste management would not only protect the environment but also strengthen disaster preparedness and public health.
According to Garin, these initiatives reflect the administration’s commitment to making government services more responsive to the needs of ordinary Filipinos.
“Ngayon nga napakalakas ng ulan. It’s a perfect storm not only for our country but the whole world. But the message of the SONA of the President gave us one concrete information,” she pointed out.
“It’s not unique to the Philippines, it’s actually worldwide. Kaya napaka-importante na matugunan ng gobyerno ang mga pangangailangan para hindi maramdaman ng taong-bayan ang malaking dagok.”
metrosundaily
