Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — President Benigno Aquino III will give his sixth and final State of the Nation Address (SONA) today (July 27).
But what will he discuss?
People from different parts of the nation expressed varied expectations for President Aquino’s last SONA.
Related: What you need to know about SONAs
Valenzuela City Rep. Sherwin Gatchalian expects Aquino to “spell out his administration’s strategy in the last 10 months to fight poverty” and how he intends to help the next administration in fighting it.
According to Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte, Aquino’s last SONA “must be reflective of the true status of the country” regarding issues such as the boundary dispute in the West Philippine Sea, peace in Mindanao, and corruption in government.
Leyte Gov. Leopoldo Dominico Petilla expects to hear about the state of the country’s economy, while Palo Mayor Remedios Petilla wants an update on the ongoing rehabilitation works for disaster affected areas.
North Cotabato Gov. Emmylou Taliño-Mendoz expects Aquino’s last SONA to include a concrete solution to the worsening traffic in Metro Manila and the brownouts in Mindanao.
Msgr. Perseus Cabunoc, rector of Saint Augustine Cathedral in Cagayan de Oro City, says he is hoping that Aquino will tell the people of his administration’s shortcomings and weaknesses.
The president should report not only the projects and the services his administration has completed, but also those that were not done or unfinished, Cabunoc added.
‘ ’19’:
Looking back: Aquino’s past SONAs
Meanwhile, business leader Engr. Cerael Donggay, president of the Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce and Industry, expects Aquino to delve on his administration’s policy on how to promote inclusive growth in the area of manufacturing and industries.
An environmental group in Palawan wants President Aquino to tackle his plan to step back from coal and fully harness the country’s renewable energy resources.
According to Cynthia Sumagaysay-Del Rosario of multi-sectoral group Palawan Alliance for Clean Energy (PACE), Aquino should “prioritize the development of indigenous renewable energy resources instead of depending on imported energy, and lessen the country’s dependence on fossil fuels.”
