SENATORS on Monday laid down their own expectations on what they hoped the 2026 State of the Nation Address (Sona) should contain, hours ahead of President Ferdinand Marcos’s delivery at the Batasan complex.
Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian said he expects the State of the Nation Address (Sona) to report on the progress of implementing the historic 2026 education budget, the largest in the country’s history and the first to meet the United Nations’ recommended benchmark for education spending.
‘Naglaan tayo ng makasaysayang pondo para sa edukasyon upang masugpo natin ang malawakang krisis na hinaharap ng sektor na ito. Inaasahan nating sa darating na Sona, malinaw na maiuulat sa atin kung ano na ang narating natin at ano pa ang ating aasahan para tugunan ang krisis sa edukasyon,’ said Gatchalian.
[We allotted a big budget for education so we can solve the huge crisis faced by this sector. We expect that in the Sona, we can hear a clear report on what has been achieved to respond to this crisis]
For Sen. Anna Theresia ‘Risa’ Hontiveros, millions of Filipinos are eager to hear, ‘how much or how quickly will government act on the rising costs for electricity, water, fuel and food?’
Sen. Joel Villanueva said Filipinos expect this year’s Sona ‘to go beyond promises and present a clear roadmap that delivers quality jobs, better education, and relief from hunger.’
Historic education funding
THE 2026 education budget touted by Gatchalian includes a ?67.9-billion allocation for the construction of at least 22,000 classrooms. As of July 2025, the classroom backlog stands at around 147,000 classrooms. This year’s budget also covers the ?12.3-billion funding deficiency in the free higher education program incurred from 2022 to 2025.
During his stint as chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, Gatchalian ensured that the 2026 budget met the United Nations’ recommendations of allotting 4-6 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for education spending.
The 2026 budget’s ?1.35 trillion education budget is equivalent to 4.4 percent of GDP.
Meanwhile, Hontiveros said people want to know how the take-home pay of each worker can be increased if every centavo of the ?85 minimum wage hike [in Metro Manila] just goes straight to paying for electricity.
‘How do we end the joblessness crisis especially when so many youth from all regions, especially college graduates, can barely find liveable jobs or livelihood?’ she continued
More important, how can corruption be licked decisively and investor confidence in the country restored, the senator added.
Hontiveros wants the VAT windfall revenues used to expand the lifeline rates, refund the ‘bogus fuel cost,’ and fast-track the transition to renewal energy to ensure sustainable supply of electricity.
In agriculture, offering ?20 per kilo of rice is not enough. ‘Our crops are weak, farmers are wary of Super El Niño. If the supply shock is not resolved, we might reach the level of ?80 per kilo. We need targeted fuel and fertilizer subsidies, Asap [as soon as possible],’ Hontiveros added.
For Villanueva, ‘This year’s Sona must answer the questions that matter most to ordinary Filipinos: Where are the jobs? How will families put food on the table? How will we reduce poverty? How do we give our children a better future through education?’ Villanueva said.
The senator said Filipinos continue to grapple with rising costs and economic uncertainty, and are pinning their hopes on the government.
As of May 2026, unemployment rate increased to 4.8 percent, or an equivalent 2.5 million jobless Filipinos.
Underemployment rate, meanwhile, is at 12.2 percent, or 6.04 million Filipinos who seek more hours of work or an extra job.
Hunger incidence, according to the March 2026 Social Weather Stations survey is at 23.2 percent, higher than the November 2025’s 20.1 percent.
Inflation is at 6.4 percent in June 2026, way higher compared to 1.4 percent in June 2025.