SOME officials in Negros Occidental are expecting President Rodrigo Duterte to tackle the administration’s war against terrorism and development plans when he delivers his second State of the Nation Address (Sona) this Monday afternoon, July 24, at the Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City.
Vice Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said he anticipates that the President will explain the extension of martial law in Mindanao and the cessation of peace talks with the communist rebels.
He will also report on his accomplishment on the war against illegal drugs, the vice governor said.
“I hope he talks at length about the economy of the country and how he intends to accomplish his ‘build, build, build’ agenda,” Lacson said.
Former governor Rafael Coscolluela said he is expecting to “see an ‘angry’ President venting his frustration over how difficult it is to get government to work the way he wants after the usual glowing ‘accomplishment report’ and enumeration of programs for the next five years.”
“In contrast, my wish is to see a Statesman President who, instead of thinking like an all-conquering Messiah, will lead and inspire all Filipinos to take on the collective task of nation-building,” Coscollueala said.
Bacolod City Representative Greg Gasataya said he expects additional programs for Visayas especially Bacolod City while First District Representative Melecio Yap Jr. said he is hoping Duterte will talk about improvement in the government’s military arsenal, and unified identification system.
Abang Lingkod party-list Representative Stephen Paduano said he expects that Duterte will give the highlights of the administration's fight against terrorism and illegal drugs.
“I also expect the president to give us the update on foreign relation especially to China and Russia and other neighboring Asian countries," he added.
Frank Carbon, regional governor of Philippine Chamber of Commerce and
Industry in Western Visayas and Negros Island Region, said he expects Duterte to announce his unrelenting war on terrorism, but to also pursue his peace talks.
He will discuss his billion-peso rehabilitation plan for Marawi and the development plan for the entire Mindanao, Carbon said, adding he also sees that Duterte will discuss his development plans for regions outside Metro Manila.
Wennie Sancho, secretary-general of General Alliance of Workers Association, said he is hoping Duterte will put an end to job contractualization.