More promises, more waiting

| Jhyren Fajardo

An hour of speaking promises on pressing issues people are waiting to hear can sound powerful, but inaction speaks even louder.

“Sa mga pang-aalipusta, hindi tayo matitinag. Sa manlulupig, hindi tayo pasisiil.” The line spoken by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. during the latest State of the Nation Address (SONA) earned applause, but powerful statements alone cannot answer the concerns of the public. Filipinos are no longer asking for stronger words; they are asking for stronger action.

The State of the Nation Address or SONA is a constitutional obligation where the president reports on the country’s condition, presents the government’s accomplishments, and outlines its plans for the coming year.

As Filipinos listen, they expect not only new commitments but also clear evidence that earlier promises have been fulfilled. However, this year’s address left many Filipinos with more doubts than answers. Will his actions align with his own words?

The SONA should be more than a report. It should also consider the voices of the people it serves.

Pax Silica is one of the issues Filipinos have different opinions. Some welcome the project, while others continue to question its direction and its effects on our country and environment. Regardless of where citizens stand, their voices deserve to be heard. Many expected concerns to be addressed during the SONA. However, the issue was only briefly mentioned.

In regards to Flood Control projects, Marcos stated “Katambal ng paglaban sa katiwalian kaugnay ng mga ghost at substandard na flood control projects, naglunsad din tayo ng Oplan Kontra Baha sa buong bansa.”

However, severe floods are still happening. Ghost flood control projects are still prevalent as millions of Filipinos suffer from these floods. Adjusting to these floods have become a normal part of our daily lives and yet, nothing has improved or changed.

It’s important to ensure the same taxpayers who suffer from floods are paid back in proper handling of flood control projects. The same money gained from enduring the Philippine weather should be used to combat it.

A government cannot call itself strong if it chooses to ignore its people, because the true state of the nation is found not only in government achievements but also in the everyday realities of the Filipino people.

During Marcos’ speech, he again promised changes that would ease the lives of Filipinos. He promised to continue fighting against corruption, expand assistance for workers and low-income families, create more jobs, support farmers and fisherfolks, improve government services, and help Filipinos cope with the cost of living.

Year after year, the SONA has introduced new priorities and new goals. In 2022, it focused on agriculture, food, and economic recovery. In the years that followed, it promised more jobs, improved healthcare, and stronger education.

But each new SONA seemed to add another promise before many Filipinos could clearly see the results of the last one. Instead of answering yesterday’s questions, the nation was given a new set of promises to wait for.

According to Rappler’s promise tracker, 24 projects are still in progress, 17 have shown no significant progress, two have been completed, and one has been redirected. Four years into his term, the number of unfinished promises raises a simple question: when will Filipinos finally see the rest of them fulfilled?

The President ended his speech with the words, “We are Filipinos, and we do not yield.” But I believe those words should apply not only to the people, but also to the government. If leaders truly do not yield, then they should not give up on listening to their citizens and fulfilling the promises they made throughout the years. Those words may inspire hope, but hope alone is not enough.

A government’s duty is not only to lead, but to serve its people. It means listening to their voices and turning promises into action. Many Filipinos will continue to wait, not for another speech, but for the actions that they promised.

As Filipinos, we must continue to speak up and express our opinions. A strong nation is built not only by those who lead, but also by people who refuse to let their voices go unheard. We should never settle for promises alone or allow important issues to fade without answers. Our voices should be valued in every decision that shapes our country’s future.