Critique Paper: President Marcos Second SONA

Republic of the Philippines President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. delivered his second
State of the Nation Address (SONA) last July 24 in Batasan Complex. It was a substantive speech that
tackled a lot of significant remarks and issues about the Philippine’s current situation highlighting the
fact that it was just his second year term. In his speech that ran slightly shorter than his first SONA,
Marcos confidently declared: “I know that the state of the nation is sound and is improving.”

One of the significant topics the president discussed on his SONA was about the Philippine
education system. He mentioned “We will not let a student’s financial constraints be a hindrance to his
or her education. We have activated social safety nets, such as skills development training and youth
employment programs. Tertiary education in state universities and colleges will remain free for our
qualified students. He then added, “ Last year, out of the 4.1 million enrolled college students , almost
50 percent were beneficiaries of the country’s free higher education under the Universal Access to
Quality Tertiary Education program. Deserving and talented students without the financial capacity to
attend school , will not be left behind in this education agenda.” The deliverance of the speech was not
quite challenging to grasp due to the fact that some key points are clearly stated.

As one of the students in the Philippines, I always believed that quality education is one of the
key elements that would help the country’s progress and growth. The objective of the President about
the country’s education system certainly has specific outcomes. It was emphasized enough that “ No
one gets left behind” through this education agenda offered to all deserving students without financial
capacity to sustain their studies. A clear roadmap has outlined the president to where we are headed to–
which is to be an educated society; and how do we get there. Education indeed should be equally
available to everyone. However, there are researchers who found free tuition as anti-poor. Free tuition
to tertiary education would benefit higher-income students due to the fact that only the tuition is cover
by the government but the living allowances, which the poor are in no position to pay. Giving full
financial support targeting all the poor students to balance the system should be one of the steps and
priority above all. Higher income students who have the ability to pay for these living allowances will
end up using the free tuition subsidy. These higher income students who are more academically
prepared ended up getting the benefits of free college education. And one of the sad truths when it
comes to getting benefits from the government is that some who are not deserving are given a slot
because of backers. So how is this fair for deserving students and less fortunate? Who really benefits in
this program? So for his plans to succeed, his administration has to make sure to take all the
alternatives and consider all steps in the process.

On top of it all, I would end it with this conclusion. Even though our motive is right, it does not
always guarantee a favorable outcome. In a plan to elevate the system, we should always consider the
other factors that would hinder its success. So to end, I agree as to President Marcos plans in our
education system especially in this new normal. However, it is not substantial enough if the
government gives access fairly and if they considering all the alternatives for the benefit of the poor
students.