Name: Riymart Jay Bacaling Date Submission:August 07, 2018

Johanna May Langrio Grade and Section: 11-ABM

SONA 2018 Reaction Paper

"You worry about the present. I worry about the future," said Rodrigo Roa Duterte, the
President of the Republic of the Philippines. Highlighting the present and the future plans of the
current administration, the incumbent President of the Republic of the Philippines, Rodrigo Roa
Duterte seemingly broke the tradition of establishing a lengthy speech and bringing up the
current administration's previous year accomplishments in his third State of the Nation Address
(SONA) 2018. Though he was always known to be a wildly aggressive leader, the flow of his
speech proceeded with ease and harmony despite starting on a very blunt note, minimizing the
use of inappropriate terms on live telecast. Duterte focused more on his desire to bring
meaningful changes on the lives of many Filipinos, emphasizing his thirst to continue the War on
Drugs and his forceful fight against corruption.

The iron-fist President envisions much progress in the future. To protect all Filipinos
from financial health risk by approving the law of no balance policies. I think it is a big help for
the Filipinos to fully sustain the finances of the medication from hospitals. In my own
perspective by the approval of this law, it will lead the people of the Philippines to be less
worrying for the balances. Furthermore, they will not force themselves to work even if they are
not fully recovered just to pay the balances. Just like my Aunt in Province. She was pregnant and
about to deliver the baby but unfortunately, when she arrived at the hospital, the baby died and
the bill was covered by the government as they didn’t pay even a peso.

Moreover, the President stated that he will give Filipinos a comfortable life even if it
means fighting his interest, to restore the environmental integrity of Boracay. Philippines is
known for having a many beautiful natural resources. I believe that is one of the reasons that
Boracay is known as a tourist destination in the Philippines and because of that, many hotels,
industries and illegal buildings are constructed. The president have concerned about the island
for the reason of it might become polluted if it will not be preserve. One of the public resorts
here in Gensan is dirty because of the residual that are not giving importance of the sea. Boracay
might be like this resort if people live in it will not also give importance by the people inside it.

Furthermore, he established strong international and economic bonds with fellow

ASEAN countries. For me, being a member of this organization can benefit our country in terms
of economic development. In this organization, they aim to reach the one of their common goal
which is to build business and improve the trade industries as well as to high investors.
Philippines are member of this organization. By the help of the organizations, many businesses
are being used and employees are hires. In additional, it gives a significant effect to the growth
of the economy.

He made his stand even more impactful by promising an immediate price drop of
specified commodities such as rice and sturdily demanding accountability to those who are
responsible for economic sabotage. I do believe that President Duterte can make this happen
because of his willingness and courage. Many Filipinos I’ve watched in television news are
worrying for the price hike of every food that they intake in every common day. President
Duterte must be hurry to resolve this impactful problem to every common Filipinos.

As the President embarks on another year towards accomplishing his promises, may God
bless him on his way to achieve the change he had been aspiring since the beginning of his
presidential journey. After all, everyone who has the heart to secure the future of our motherland
will always choose what's good for the people and will continue to support the administration if
it means the greater good for our fellow countrymen and to our country itself. I, as a student and
a young Filipino will continue to observe his actions and do my best in constructively criticizing
the President's ideals.