On July 28, 2025, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivered his fourth State of the Nation Address at the Batasang Pambansa, presenting a comprehensive policy roadmap amid economic, environmental, and political turbulence. The speech emphasized urgent action on crisis response, social services expansion, and national sovereignty.
🚨 SETTING THE STAGE ON A TURBULENT BACKGROUND
SONA was delivered amid rising political tension after the House impeached Vice President Sara Duterte in February (later ruled unconstitutional), and amid massive flooding and storms that displaced over 120,000 people and claimed more than 30 lives.
Security was heightened with 22,000 police deployed around the venue; thousands protested, calling for wage hikes and the impeachment trial of the vice president .
📌 KEY THEMES OF THE 4TH SONA
1. Agriculture and Food Security
- Marcos reiterated the goal of ₱20/kg rice kernels rolled out without harming farmers, confirming its success across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao .
- ₱130 billion was allocated to strengthen the Department of Agriculture, alongside calls for amending the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund Act and investing in agricultural research and youth scholarships .
2. Education and Youth Development
- The Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (Aral) Program was launched; nearly 22,000 classrooms built so far with a pledge to add another 40,000 by end of term.
- Marcos pledged expanded child development centers and mental health services in schools, including hiring more counselors and constructing 300 Barangay Child Development and Bulilit Centers with a ₱1 billion fund .
- Laptops, Smart Tech, free Wi-Fi, and data load provisions were promised for public school teachers and students .
3. Health and Welfare
- A campaign named Yakap Caravan now provides free medical screenings, cancer tests, and medicines to students and educators nationwide .
4. Peace, Security, and Disaster Preparedness
- Marcos highlighted gains in peacebuilding and defense modernization: new weapons, combat vehicles, and equipment for PNP and AFP.
- He celebrated progress in reintegrating former rebels, infrastructure in conflict‑affected areas, and stabilization in Mindanao and BARMM. He declared no remaining active guerrilla groups in the country.
- Disaster readiness was prioritized: advanced early-warning systems, Mobile Command vehicles (MOCCOVs) deployed to 11 LGUs, new evacuation centers, and infrastructure upgrades for climate resilience.
With SONA 2025, Marcos Jr. reaffirmed the hallmarks of his Bagong Pilipinas agenda—social reform, infrastructure expansion, and a national security focus.
Amid pressing crises, the address offered ambitious targets across education, agriculture, and disaster response.
The challenge ahead: translating these pledges into tangible, sustained progress for Filipinos across socio-economic lines.