DABAWENYOS shared their varied reactions to President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.'s recently concluded State of the Nation Address (Sona) held at the Batasang Pambansa.
SunStar Davao conducted a rating survey to gauge public opinion on Marcos' performance during his second Sona.
Harvey Lao, Southern Mindanao Region spokesperson for Kabataan Partylist, expressed disappointment in Marcos' Sona, giving him a failing grade. He cited a lack of visible changes in his first year and a failure to address the legitimate concerns of the youth.
“Incomplete kini kay tungod sa iyang una nga tuig wala kitay nakit-an na pagbag-o. Ang mga lehitimong panawagan sa mga kabatan-unan wala dinha sa iyang prayoridad (It is incomplete because in his first year in service there were no visible changes. The legitimate plea of the youth is not his priority),” Lao said.
In contrast, Police Regional Office-Davao Region Spokesperson Police Major Catherine Dela Rey appreciated the government's commitment to strengthening the police force through various programs.
However, she acknowledged the need for further improvements to achieve the president's vision for a "new Philippines."
"Naa ta sa number four (out of five) kay need pa man og improvement wala pa pod nato na achieve ang excellence (We are still at number four [out of five] because we still need to improve to achieve excellence)," Dela Rey said.
Davao City Third District Representative Isidro Ungab gave Marcos a positive score of four out of five, praising the commitment of Congress to supporting the president's priority legislative measures.
"I believe we should support and every Filipino should help the president reach these goals within his term. PBBM’S SONA 2023 – Makatotohanan, Makatao, Makamangagawa, Makamahirap, Makabayan, Makapilipino,” Ungab said.
Meanwhile, Puwersa ng Bayaning Atleta (PBA) Partylist Representative Margarita Ignacia "Atty. Migz" Nograles rated Marcos an 8.5 (out of 10) for delivering a comprehensive report but expressed disappointment in the lack of focus on athletes and sports development.
“I would have wanted to hear the administration’s stance with regard to our athletes, our sports development and education, kaya I would not give it a perfect 10. However I remain hopeful naman na hindi naman pababayaan ang ating mga atleta lalong lalo na unting unting nakikita ang talent ng ating mga athletes.” Nograles said.
Jenielito Atillo, spokesperson for the Department of Education-Davao Region, gave Marcos a rating of 4.5 out of 5 for being serious about improving the education system through the Matatag Agenda program. Atillo noted the program's learner, community, and teacher-centered approach but also called for further efforts to achieve quality education.
"She appointed the vice-president, Sara Duterte, as the Department of Education secretary, which is also serious in implementing programs na ikaayo sa atong kabataan ug sa atoang katawhan (which are beneficial to our youth and community)," Atillo said.
He said the program is not just learner-centered, but also community and teacher-centered.
“The remaining 0.5 is further efforts na pagahimoon pa [ni Marcos] para masiguro nato na makab-ot nato tong kining gidamgo na kaayuhan para sa edukasyon (for Marcos’ further efforts, so that we can reach our dreams of a quality education),” Atillo added.
Others, like "Leon," who requested anonymity, an accountant for a company, rated Marcos with a 3.5 out of 5, indicating room for improvement across various aspects of his leadership.
Tatay Jose Eleuterio, a senior citizen, meanwhile, waited for the president to mention the alleged “ill-gotten wealth of his family” in the Sona and the issue about the West Philippine Sea.
“Wala niya na-mention ang exploration sa West Philippine Sea, basig mahuman nalang iyang termino wa ra ni gihapon,” Eleuterio said, giving the president a rate of 2 out of 5.
Roberto Rañola Jr., chairman of the Philippine Association of Agriculturists Inc., stressed the need for collaboration with national agencies to enhance food production and address challenges in the agricultural sector.
"Kailangan' yung collaboration, we will be working with them, kasi during the pandemic... nag-down yung support, so now we are trying to catch that," Rañola said.
Marcos underscored his commitment to support initiatives to increase food production while cracking down on smugglers and hoarders.
The chairman further highlighted the necessity of creating additional opportunities for the youth to invest in and engage in agricultural production.