President Rodrigo Roa Duterte delivered his 4th State of the Nation Address

(SONA) last July 22, 2019 at the House of representatives, Batasang Pambansa
Complex, Quezon City. In true Duterte style, the president managed to threaten erring
government agencies to shape up while giving highlights of what his administration has
achieved in the past years and proposing the changes for the betterment of the country
that he wants to pursue in the next three years. He focused on topics such as death
penalty, government transactions, rehabilitation of Manila bay, anti-commission task
force, magna carta for barangays, loans for Macro, Micro, and Medium enterprises
(MSMEs), mandatory Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC), water crisis, public roads
and the West Philippine sea. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte discussed the social issues
in a convincing, interesting and in a straightforward manner. He is a strong and a
remarkable leader that shows great care to his country. He had recommended legislative
measures with accord to the social issues, however he uses foul and offensive words
which is inappropriate in a formal assembly.
Duterte emphasized that illegal drug problem persists and corruption continues but
promised to continue fighting until his term ends. Duterte, of course, jumped into the topic
of illegal drugs and how it continues to be a problem. He acknowledged that the
government still has a long way to go to fight the social menace that is illegal drugs which
he believes is a by-product of corruption. Duterte wants to reinstate the death penalty for
heinous crimes related to drugs and plunder, so he used this as a means to ask the
congress to bring back death penalty which he has been pursuing for. “I respectfully
request congress to reinstate the death penalty for heinous crimes related to drugs as
well as plunder.” The applicability of death penalty is evident in the current times as
manifested by different heinous crimes going on across the country. With rape, killings,
and other inhumane crimes going in left and right, the present administration has realized
that the only way to solve this is through the reinstatement of death penalty. Looking into
the crime rate of other countries who are also implementing the death penalty, there is a
significant decrease in it. Hopefully, if the same law shall be applied in our land, it would
serve as an eye-opener to people that commiting such crime is not a joke and it is
something that must be dealt with utmost severity and punishment. Thus, creating a
system built-in solid foundation of truth and justice.
The president, likewise, emphasized the necessity to ensure a responsive
government to the needs of the people. He has also asked government workers to simplify
government transactions and impose the law to improve service delivery and fight
corruption. “Pag hindi pa ninyo nagawan ‘yan ngayon, papatayin ko talaga kayo,” Duterte
warned. He continued his speech encouraging citizens to file complaints of delinquent,
lazy and corrupt government employees, saying citizens can slap them. “At pag kayo o
ikaw hinilingan more than the required payment by government at humingi pa saiyo, I’ve
been telling you mag-eskandalo kayo sa opisina. Make a scene. Sampalin mo yang p*****
*** na yan,” he stated. To fully make this work, people could resort to calling the Citizen’s
Complaint Hotline 8888 for them to report or air out public concerns. This also includes
concern about the attitude of people serving the public. If those who are in charged of
actual transactions will show a negative attitude or rude response to those that they are
serving, people have the right to report such cases. The old-fashioned transactions
should be abolished and should be changed into much systematic, faster and convenient
ways. With the technological advancement that we already have, we should make use of
it and take advantage of it to make our system attuned to the needs of the people. Having
these transactions into an electronic one or digitalized version will more or less lessen the
time of queuing, processing and releasing of documents.
Duterte also touted some of his administration’s achievements, including the
controversial rehabilitation of Boracay which he called a success. “I am proud to say that
it has been restored close to its original pristine state. Boracay Island is just a beginning,”
he said. His signature sexist remarks were also featured when he said that the women
on the island can be a come-on for tourists. Another achievement includes the significant
improvement on Manila Bay. Despite the accomplishments of cleaning up the Manila Bay,
the administration is not yet fully satisfied. The relocation of informal settlers in Manila
which are great contributory factors for the deterioration of Manila Bay will be done in the
coming years. In the same manner, closure of establishments who are not following
proper environmental regulations was also closed or shut down. It is time to stop the
abuse of nature. If we have not realized yet, we throw our garbage anywhere and later
on, it returns to us. We have seen its effects and we have experienced how difficult it is
to cope with environmental problems. As a supposed to be a developing country, I
appreciate the fact that the government is also giving focus on the environmental issues
that have been plaguing us for decades.
“The avoidance of conflict – armed conflict – and protection of our territorial waters
and natural resources compel us to perform a delicate balancing act.” The need to
reinforce the delicate “balancing act” about the west Philippine sea is the only solution
that the government could come up with at the moment. President Duterte emphasized
that this will be possible if all matters concerning negotiation about the natural resources
of the country as well as territorial waters will be handled through “peaceful way.” Though
I agree that peaceful talk should be employed, I also strongly believe that we should
manifest power and authority over our land. If not, our silence may be seen as an
acceptance. The government may be subtle about dealing with our supposed to be land
at the moment. Perhaps, it is in the desire to establish a good relationship with the other
countries that push our government to handle this way. I hope that the government will
stand true to its words that if in case that the other state will dare to touch and exploit our
lands, we will protect it at all cost. No state relationship nor state friendship could ever
surpass the importance of taking good care of one’s land.
The provision of the National Task Force to be headed by the President himself
will be established. This is for the vision of endling the long-term local communist armed
conflict in the country. This may be the answer of the President to the never-ending
demands of the armed groups. Despite the effort of peace talks and the likes, a lot of
unfavorable incidents are still gong on. President Duterte tried it a much peaceful way
before. But in spite of all these, it did not work out. People will always ask for more and it
will try its best until it can already control the government. More than prideful and egoistic
approach that the government may hold the issue, it is apparent that the government will
take this matter seriously for the sake of a peaceful society. Gone are the days that these
people could just reveal themselves and begin hurting and killing other innocent people.
Hopefully, this will be the beginning of a new era. An era where people could feel safe
not just inside their respective homes but also outside with their community.
ROTC has been established years back and was removed eventually. “You know,
if there is a war, 10 out of 10 they don’t know how to hold a gun. I think military training
will be good for everyone.” In the present administration, the president asked the
congress to approve the bill which aims to reinstate the ROTC. The said mandatory
requirement shall be taken by all Grade 11 and 12 students. Even though critics of this
proposition see it as a mere blind obedience, the administration deeply believes that this
is a way to instill in the youngsters the value of discipline and patriotism. The additional
years may seem like an additional burden for both the aprents and students but the fruits
of this labor will be something beautiful and worth it in the long run. With the kind of youth
we have today, I think that it is indeed necessary to reinforce such actions. For as long
as schools and universities could implement the ROTC properly without abuse of
authority, everything is heading to the right track. In the future we can see morally upright
and responsible citizens of our country, beginning from their training of ROTC.
The possible establishment of Department of Water Resources and a Water
regulatory commision is suggested by President Duterte. This is to come up with plans
and regulations to address the persisting issue of the water crisis. As we all know, water
supply is scarce every summer season as brought about by the decrease in water level
on dams. “You know what, there was this three-day no water. I was in Davao. So
everybody was complaining and I was even afraid to come here because what if my
girlfriend will not be able to—to take a bath. She will smell like hell. So I said, I’ll wait for
the water to wash her.” Mentioning her girlfriend not being able to take a bath is
inappropriate and shameful to her girlfriends part. Because of this phenomenon, people
are forced to take a bath every other day or even every three days. It is high time to solve
this type of case since it brings a lot of adverse effects in the lives of many people. Water
is a basic necessity and it is therefore expected that it is something given abundantly. The
lack of it could lead to a lot of chaos which at times lead to killings. Thus, it is somethimg
that must be resolved as soon as possible.