State of the Nation 2026
A review of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Romualdez Marcos Jr.’s Fifth State of the Nation Address, delivered against the backdrop of the Middle East war and its economic fallout.
1. Anti-corruption & Accountability
“Lahat ng mababawi mula sa mga sangkot na tiwali ay agad ibabalik sa kaban ng bayan.”
Marcos reported on the year-long investigation into flood-control corruption, with the first contractors, DPWH officials, and lawmakers already charged and jailed.
Major Accomplishments:
~₱25B in funds and assets recovered, frozen, or preserved from accused officials
Over ₱800M already returned to the Treasury
First contractors, DPWH officials, and lawmakers charged and jailed
Significant Pledges:
Return all recovered corruption funds to the national treasury
Continue prosecution through the Ombudsman and National Prosecution Service
2. Energy Crisis Response
“Sa kabila ng pagsara ng Strait of Hormuz ay nagawa nating makabili at makapag-angkat mula sa ibang pagkukunang bansa ”
Following the outbreak of war in the Middle East, Marcos declared a State of National Energy Emergency and moved to diversify the country’s oil supply and cushion consumers from price shocks.
Major Accomplishments:
State of National Emergency declared; current oil is sourced from Japan, South Korea, Oman, India, Russia, and China
~2-month national fuel supply secured despite the Strait of Hormuz closure
Gradual (not sudden) pump-price increases negotiated with oil companies
3-month suspension of excise tax on LPG and kerosene
Significant Pledges:
Return all recovered corruption funds to the national treasury
Continue prosecution through the Ombudsman and National Prosecution Service
3. OFWs and the Middle East War
“Sa kabila ng pagsara ng Strait of Hormuz ay nagawa nating makabili at makapag-angkat mula sa ibang pagkukunang bansa ”
Following the outbreak of war in the Middle East, Marcos declared a State of National Energy Emergency and moved to diversify the country’s oil supply and cushion consumers from price shocks.
Major Accomplishments:
State of National Emergency declared; current oil is sourced from Japan, South Korea, Oman, India, Russia, and China
~2-month national fuel supply secured despite the Strait of Hormuz closure
Gradual (not sudden) pump-price increases negotiated with oil companies
3-month suspension of excise tax on LPG and kerosene
Significant Pledges:
Return all recovered corruption funds to the national treasury
Continue prosecution through the Ombudsman and National Prosecution Service
4. Transport Relief
“Ang sektor ng transportasyon ang pinakamatinding tinamaan ng epekto ng krisis. Tsuper, operator, pasahero, manggagawa, o negosyo man — lahat ay umaray sa matarik na pagtaas ng presyo ng produktong petrolyo.”
The transport sector was singled out as hit hardest by the oil crisis, prompting fare discounts, subsidies, and fee suspensions for drivers, operators, and commuters alike.
Major Accomplishments:
Libreng Sakay program and revived Service Contracting Program for buses and jeepneys
Up to 40% total fare discount for students, seniors, and PWDs
50% fare discount retained on LRT2 and MRT3
₱10/liter diesel subsidy for jeepneys and UV Express; reduced airport, port, and toll fees
Significant Pledges:
Sustain AICS cash relief and TUPAD Tuloy-Pasada support for drivers
Continue subsidized fares and fees while fuel prices remain elevated
5. Infrastructure & Mass Transit
“Sisikapin ng DOTr na sa pagtatapos ng Administrasyong ito, tapos na rin ang railway hanggang Clark.”
Marcos highlighted progress on rail and road projects, alongside a newly enacted right-of-way law meant to remove the biggest chokepoint in transit development.
Major Accomplishments:
Right-of-way issues now resolved faster under the Accelerated and Reformed Right of Way Act
First phase of Cebu Bus Rapid Transit opened
Storm-damaged bridges in Samar, Isabela, Cagayan, and Iligan repaired and reopened
Significant Pledges:
Open North-South Commuter Railway (Valenzuela–Malolos) next year; extend it to Clark
Open 12 new MRT7 stations next year, extending service toward Sacred Heart, Quezon City
Launch Ilocos Norte Bus Rapid Transit next year
6. Disaster Resilience
“Mahigit anim na raang libong pamilya ang ating nasaklolohan.”
Citing recent earthquakes in the Visayas and Mindanao, Marcos described a shift from reactive relief to a predictive, pre-positioned national disaster response network.
Major Accomplishments:
600,000+ families assisted after the Visayas-Mindanao earthquakes; over ₱3B disbursed
Nationwide disaster network built: 15 hubs, 76 spokes, 919 last-mile facilities
Emergency relief now deliverable to affected areas in under 24 hours
137 evacuation centers built nationwide
Significant Pledges:
Build “Ligtas Pinoy Centers” in disaster-prone areas (Bicol, Eastern Samar, Bukidnon, Davao de Oro)
Amend the National Building Code to modern disaster-resistance standards
7. Agriculture and Land Reform
“Nakapagtanim na tayo ng labingwalong milyong puno, at patuloy pa rin ang pagtatanim.”
Marcos reported continued gains in farm productivity and mechanization, alongside a push to finish outstanding land-title and debt-condonation commitments to agrarian reform beneficiaries.
Major Accomplishments:
18 million coconut trees planted under the national replanting program
145 rice processing systems, 3 large cold-storage facilities, ~40,000 machinery units distributed
400,000+ land titles distributed to agrarian reform beneficiaries (500,000+ hectares)
~₱19B in crop insurance claims paid out over four years
Significant Pledges:
Complete distribution of remaining land titles next year
Complete condonation of agrarian reform beneficiaries’ debts this year
Plant 100 million coconut trees by the end of the Administration
8. Energy Security
“What we have uncovered is truly a national treasure: an untapped reserve of natural gas.”
Beyond crisis response, Marcos pointed to a new Malampaya gas discovery and record petroleum contract awards as the foundation of the country’s future energy mix — and floated a return to nuclear power.
Major Accomplishments:
Malampaya service contract extended to 2039; new 222 billion cubic-feet gas reserve discovered
14 petroleum service contracts awarded — the most in any single presidential term
2 petroleum contracts co-managed with the BARMM Government, a historic first
Significant Pledges:
Complete nearly 200 power projects (~10,000 MW) by 2028
Develop hydrogen power plants in Marinduque, Masbate, Zamboanga Sibugay, and Basilan
Revisit nuclear energy production to reinforce energy security
Pass the “Sariling Kuryente” Act for accessible home solar and storage
9. Health
“Mula lagpas limang milyong pamilyang Pilipino noong 2022, umabot na sa mahigit pito at kalahating milyong pamilya na ang nakatamasa ng benepisyo ng PhilHealth.”
PhilHealth’s benefit programs continued to expand in coverage, funding, and digital accessibility, alongside tax relief on medicines.
Major Accomplishments:
YAKAP preventive-care program reached 4.5M of 25M registered Filipinos this year
GAMOT program: 75 essential medicines covered, ₱20,000/year benefit limit, 300,000+ beneficiaries in 7 months
VAT removed on 2,000+ medicines, including cancer, hypertension, diabetes, and mental health drugs
Zero-Balance Billing benefited ~3M patients in DOH hospital wards
e-MAIFIP launched on the eGovPH app (56M+ users), cutting medical-assistance requirements to two
Significant Pledges:
Expand PhilHealth screening to kidney, liver, thyroid, and Hepatitis B disease
Double the PhilHealth benefit package for children with developmental disabilities
Begin planning a national Virology and Vaccine Institute
10. Education
“Ngayon, isandaan at apatnapung kolehiyo na ang pumasok sa World University Rankings.”
Marcos cited rising college rankings, teacher promotions, and new student-support roles, while flagging online harms to children following recent school violence.
Major Accomplishments:
140 PH colleges now in the World University Rankings for Innovation, up from 12 in 2022
81% placement rate for tech-voc (TVET) graduates
80,000+ teachers and school heads promoted; 30,000+ new teaching positions added
First batch of 10,000 School Counsellor Associates deployed to public schools
AI-readiness training reached 1.8 million students, parents, and teachers
Significant Pledges:
Build 400,000+ classrooms nationwide via DPWH, PAGCOR, LGUs, and private-sector PPPs
Strengthen school security and bullying/incident-response protocols with LGUs and the PNP
11. Housing & Social Protection
“Itinaas natin sa sampung milyong piso ang limit ng pautang para sa pabahay.”
Marcos reported continued expansion of the 4PH housing program and social insurance coverage, alongside relief measures for borrowers hit by the crisis.
Major Accomplishments:
500,000+ homes built or funded under 4PH, including 100,000+ added this year
Pag-IBIG housing loan limit raised to ₱10 million; membership now at 17 million
~44 million Filipinos now covered by SSS, including 80,000+ informal-sector workers
SSS pension increase moved up to June from its scheduled September date
Up to 6-month (1-year for agricultural) loan payment relief granted by banks, GSIS, SSS, NHMFC, and Pag-IBIG
Significant Pledges:
Build 400,000+ classrooms nationwide via DPWH, PAGCOR, LGUs, and private-sector PPPs
Strengthen school security and bullying/incident-response protocols with LGUs and the PNP
12. Foreign Relations & Trade
“The Philippines now has 23 free trade agreements in force or under active negotiations with other countries.”
Marcos credited the country’s expanded trade network and investment facilitation for cushioning the domestic economy, while previewing new industrial and space initiatives.
Major Accomplishments:
23 free trade agreements in force or under negotiation
Over ₱6 trillion in investments facilitated via Green Lanes over 3 years (~400,000 jobs)
ASEAN chairship outcomes: Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve, Digital Economy Framework, Petroleum Security Agreement
Significant Pledges:
Finalize a new Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with the UAE
Develop the Pax Silica Industrial Hub as an AI-centered manufacturing and logistics center
Conduct a sounding rocket launch test from Cagayan’s planned spaceport next year
13. Peace, Order & Sovereignty
“Your government will do all that is necessary to continue upholding this Award... against any attempt, foreign or domestic, to undermine this achievement.”
Marking the 10th anniversary of the 2016 Arbitral Award, Marcos reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the ruling while highlighting a milestone peace agreement and upcoming Bangsamoro elections.
Major Accomplishments:
10th anniversary of the final and binding 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award
Peace pact with the CBA-CPLA formalized, 15 years after signing
Significant Pledges:
Continue upholding the Arbitral Award through peaceful and legal means
Ensure a peaceful, orderly, and credible first BARMM regular parliamentary election under RA 12317