The SONA was a belated miting de
avance speech in which Bongbong’s platform of government was finally revealed.
In the speech were lists of promises that he should have discussed during his
campaign but he never did. There is nothing in the speech that portrays the
real state of the nation.
Worst, no decisive plan to address
inflation that is affecting the lives of the poor and ordinary workers. Neither
aid nor wage increase can be expected in the near future to tide workers and
their families during these difficult times.
Likewise, rampant contractualization
of labor and violation of labor rights including red-tagging of union leaders
and organizers were not addressed in the speech.
The speech was primarily intended for
legislators, investors and foreign diplomats, not at all for the vast majority
of the working people.
The State of the Nation, Marcos
declared, is sound. But it was deafeningly quiet on wages, endo, and full
employment.
It targeted a 9% poverty incidence
and upper middle-income status of the country by the end of his term. But there
was no mention if living wage and full employment are going to be addressed to
make it happen.
It was strong on food security, but
no mention of reversing import liberalization policy, including rice
tariffication.
There will be a rightsizing program
in government. But there was no diet plan for fat bosses in the government who
enjoy pork and perks. In short, very silent on corruption.
There was also no explanation on
whether funds are available to support his program. No mention of a wealth tax.
SONA was silent on the bloody war on
drugs. But there was also no mention of improving the country's human rights
situation.
Tough talk on climate and renewable
energy. Unfortunately, the plans include nuclear power.
Plans for pandemic response were not
so clear, even contradictory with his 'no more lockdown' policy yet maintaining
the present alert level system.
Labor export policy remains, only
that it will have an active repatriation program.
Except for a continuation of Duterte
railway projects, no mention of the life of transport workers and the riding
community.
In conclusion, there is no immediate
relief against high prices and unemployment/underemployment problems. No major
policy reforms.
BBM's SONA, in short, was simply a wish
list of platforms that we should have heard during the election campaign.
Ka Rene Magtubo
spokesperson of Nagkaisa Labor Coalition and Chairman of Partido Manggagawa
26 July 2022
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