Today, July 23, 2018 is an important day in our country.  The Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte delivered his State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City. This is his third SONA since he took over office in 2016 from former President Noynoy Aquino. 

Some highlights of the President’s SONA are: 

·       The WAR ON DRUGS, which he said is far from over

·       The concern for HUMAN RIGHTS, which the President said for him is his concern for Human Lives

·       Getting RID OF CORRUPTION

·       Delivering on his promise to sign the BANGSAMORO ORGANIC LAW

·       Assertion of an independent foreign policy as our INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

·       Protecting the workers rights by ENDING CONTRACTUALIZATION

·       Pushing for CHARTER CHANGE

SONA Highlights with reference to the Environment were:

·       BORACAY ISLAND is known for its beaches and resorts and in 2016 was even voted best beach in the world. But due to negligence, it went from being known as a paradise to a highly polluted island. In April 2018 local and foreign tourists were banned in order for the government to rehabilitate the island. Through President Duterte’s instructions, rehabilitation is being carried out.

·       The Cabinet has approved the passage of a law to create a new DEPARTMENT OF DISASTER MANAGEMENT.

·       The President has also urged Congress to urgently pass the NATIONAL LAND USE ACT to put in place national land use policy that will address security of our food, housing, business and environmental conservation measures.  He particularly pointed to the mining industry not to destroy the environment.