YOUTH leaders questioned the Marcos administration’s spending priorities, saying billions of pesos allocated for flood control, education and other public programs have yet to translate into better living conditions for Filipinos.
The concerns were raised during the ‘State of the Youth Address’ that gathered youth organizations, activist groups and Sangguniang Kabataan officials from across Metro Manila in discussion of issues a day before the President delivers his ‘State of the Nation Address.’
During the convention, Kabataan Party-list Rep. Renee Louise M. Co urged participants to assess not only what the President had promised over the past year but also what his administration had actually delivered.
Co pointed to flood control projects as one example, saying many communities continue to experience severe flooding despite years of government spending.
She recalled that her community was among those affected during Typhoon Carina (international name: Gaemi) in 2024.
‘What have the billions allocated for flood control projects achieved if communities continue to be flooded every time a strong typhoon hits?’ Co said.
Beyond flood control, she argued that environmental degradation has continued to expose communities to greater disaster risks, citing the loss of forest cover and other natural resources.
Co also criticized what she described as an education system that remains inaccessible to many young Filipinos because of rising costs, poor learning conditions and growing mental health concerns.
‘We are being pushed out of the education system because it has become expensive, inaccessible and no longer responds to the needs of students,’ she said.
Co added that increasing education funding alone would not resolve the problem unless reforms also improve the quality of learning and prepare students for meaningful employment after graduation.
The youth leader likewise raised concerns over the proposed Pax Silica project, warning of its potential impact on water resources, electricity costs and the country’s natural resources while questioning whether Filipinos would benefit beyond low-paying jobs.
The ‘State of the Youth Address’ also featured discussions on the proposed 2026 national budget and delegates’ speeches, before participants capped the gathering with a protest action outside the Philippine General Hospital ahead of the President’s SONA on July 27.