CEBU CITY, Philippines—Local officials here lauded the first State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. for being direct and concrete.
They also commended President Marcos Jr. for his promises to support Cebu, particularly when it comes to infrastructure development.
Mandaue Representative Lone District Emmarie ‘Lolypop’ Ouano-Dizon described President Marcos Jr.’s SONA as a ‘simple yet dignified ceremony, consistent with his straightforward address.’
Ouano-Dizon also said she was glad to have heard President Marcos Jr.’s ‘concrete plans’ and priorities in the next six years.
“It is reassuring to hear of the President’s plans. I am especially happy that part of his agenda is to have specialty hospitals sama sa heart center, lung center in the regions. This is aligned with the bill I am filing which is to establish a Regional Dialysis Centers,” said Ouano-Dizon in a statement.
Her fellow Cebu congresswoman, Daphne Lagon of the 6th District, also shared the same sentiments with Ouano-Dizon.
“Comprehensive kaayo ang unang SONA ni PBBM. It covers every pressing need of the country at this time from the health crisis to economic recovery, independent foreign policy, job creation, infrastructure development, improving government services, agriculture and land reform and education, among others,” Lagon wrote in a separate statement.
Lagon also agreed with the President’s initiatives in prioritizing the welfare of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) such as the One Repatriation Command Center that aims to expedite their actions and complaints.
“Importante kaayo ni hilabi a sa life and death situations nga gamay lang nga delay sa atong response aduna nay kinabuhi na makalas,” she added.
No more lockdowns
For her part, Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia also commended President Marcos Jr. for his plans for Cebu, and most especially the latter’s promise that there will be no more lockdowns in the next six years.
“(The President) was candid about our situation but hopeful and focused on the way forward. More importantly, for Cebu, we are topmost in his mind in terms of infrastructure. The President’s overall plans are in synch with Cebu’s direction,” Garcia said.
“Finally, I applauded the loudest when he stated emphatically: ‘No more lockdowns’,” she added.
President Marcos Jr. delivered his first SONA, that lasted approximately an hour and 40 minutes, as the country’s 17th President last Monday, July 25 at the Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City.
/bmjo
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