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In this youth-led commentary on President Marcos Jr.’s 4th State of the Nation Address, we unpack what was said — and what was left unsaid. From education and women’s safety to climate action and economic realities, Filipino youth are asking the tough questions that still need answers.Because we deserve more than applause. We deserve action.
A commentary on Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s 4th State of the Nation Address
“Karapatan ng bawat Pilipino na malaman kung anong nangyayari sa ating bansa. We are not blind and we can totally see with our naked eyes the real state of our country. Sana, sa upcoming SONA, masagot ang lahat ng mga tanong ng maraming mga Pilipino.”
— J.L. Dueñas (one of our survey respondents on “Sana Sa Sona” a survey conducted by 2030 Youth Force, days before the SONA)
In his fourth State of the Nation Address, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. proclaimed:
“Mas maganda na ang takbo ng ating ekonomiya… bumaba ang inflation, dumami ang trabaho, ngunit palamuti lamang ito kung ang ating kababayan naman ay hirap pa din at nabibigatan sa kanilang buhay”
For many young Filipinos, the applause that followed did not fully capture our deeper hopes. However, accountability without concrete, sustained action risks becoming empty promises. What matters most is what comes after these admissions, the policies, reforms, and follow-through that directly address the root of these problems. True leadership lies not only in acknowledging what went wrong, but in showing the will to change it and in making sure that these words do not remain merely just words.
The President mentioned efforts to improve education:
“Ipinagpapatuloy natin ang pagdagdag ng guro, at ang pagbibigay ng scholarship para sa kabataan.”
He mentioned creating 60,000 new teaching positions and expanding scholarships. Yet, 75% of youth survey respondents called for more than these figures: smaller class sizes, well-trained teachers, better infrastructure for rural schools, and a strengthened curriculum. While the promise to provide internet connectivity to all public schools by 2025 is commendable, it also raises questions: what about the most basic gaps in literacy? How can students maximize digital tools if they still lack foundational reading and writing skills?
One respondent shared,
“Sana the President talks about improving the quality of public education, especially in underfunded schools and far-flung areas.”
— R.T. Precia
Safety, particularly for women and marginalized groups, was another overlooked concern. One respondent wrote:
“Sana kapag umaga, hapon, o gabi, ramdam ng aking kapwa Filipina na ligtas maglakad ng mag-isa.”
Yet, the SONA offered little reassurance on street harassment and violence. Young Filipinas continue to hope for stronger enforcement of protective laws and safer public infrastructure.
On the issue of rising food costs, Marcos reaffirmed rice prices at P20 per kilo through Kadiwa centers. However, only select communities benefit from this, and it fails to address the broader affordability crisis.
The President also mentioned anti-corruption reforms and improvements in procurement laws. Still, transparency remains limited. Freedom of Information is far from fully realized, and pressing national concerns like the West Philippine Sea dispute and national debt were barely discussed. As many young Filipinos continue to say, “Karapatan ng bawat Pilipino na malaman kung anong nangyayari sa ating bansa.”
Environmental policy, too, feels caught between words and action. As families in Malabon watch the SONA with floodwater inside their homes, the President admitted that “some” flood-control programs failed and scolded LGUs with “Mahiya naman kayo.” Yet, flood-control projects were vetoed, and mining and reclamation projects moved forward. For the youth, the climate crisis demands urgent and sustainable solutions.
Towards the end, the President declared:
“Kailangan pa natin mas lalong galingan, kailangan mas lalo pa nating bilisan.”
But as young Filipinos, we must ask: will that vision truly translate into safer streets, stronger classrooms and better lives? We advocate for leadership that values action over applause, transparency over promises, and empathy over scripted words.In the second half of this administration, we long not just for an account of our nation’s struggles but for real, committed action that exceeds what is merely asked of our leaders. Because we deserve a country that leaves no one behind.
