President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. emphasized the importance of active civic involvement in achieving the administration’s vision of a “Bagong Pilipinas.”
In a recent vlog, Marcos thanked citizens who wrote to him following his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 27, urging the public to stay engaged in national discussions.
”Ang inyong aktibong pakikilahok sa mga usaping panlipunan ay mga katangian ng pagiging isang bagong Pilipino,” Marcos said.
The President noted that the SONA serves as part of a continuous effort to resolve key national issues rather than a standalone event. He highlighted letters received from the youth, including messages from the Youth for Health Coalition detailing personal struggles with food insecurity and healthcare costs—such as a student whose father undergoes dialysis.
Marcos stated these concerns reinforce the urgency of anti-hunger and health initiatives, referencing the government’s Walang Gutom Program, bi-monthly distribution of 10-kilogram rice bags to indigent families, and targeted school feeding programs for young learners.
Addressing additional letters—such as one from coalition convener Aliyah Mae Lozari regarding youth exposure to secondhand smoke and alcohol consumption—Marcos reaffirmed that public health remains a primary focus of his administration.
”Kahit gaano ka kasikat, kahit gaano ka kayaman kapag ikaw ay may sakit, hindi magiging maganda ang buhay mo,” he noted. “Kaya’t iyan ang aming inuuna. Kaya’t napakataas na priority ang kalusugan ng ating kabataan, ang kalusugan ng ating mamamayan.”
Marcos reassured citizens that the government values their feedback, reiterating that national progress relies on the joint efforts of the state and its people.