SONA 2026 Highlights: What Parents Need to Know About the President’s Plans for Filipino Families
Here’s what parents should know about President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) 2026.
For most parents, the biggest question after every State of the Nation Address isn’t about politics—it’s about what changes, if any, will make family life a little easier. Will schools become safer? Will groceries and electricity become more affordable? Will healthcare and other essential services become easier to access? Those are only just a few questions parents want addressed in the SONA 2026.
Those were some of the issues President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. sought to address during his fifth State of the Nation Address. Before outlining his administration’s accomplishments and priorities for the next two years, he paused to honor the victims of the recent Tacloban school tragedy, underscoring the importance of protecting Filipino children.
Among the speech’s recurring themes were government accountability, economic relief, education, healthcare, disaster preparedness, and child protection. Speaking about the government’s anti-corruption drive, the President stressed that “Hindi ako Pangulo ng aking pamilya. Hindi ako Pangulo ng aking kaibigan. Ako ay Pangulo ng Pilipinas,” while assuring Filipinos that “ang gulong ng hustisya ay tumatakbo.”
For parents, the address focused less on politics and more on how the government plans to make everyday life safer, healthier, and more affordable in the months ahead.
Things That Matter to Parents
Education remained at the heart of the President’s message. Following the recent violence in schools, Marcos called on every sector of society to help protect children, saying, “Magkakasama tayong lahat sa misyong ito: ang pamahalaan, pamilya, paaralan, simbahan, industriya, at komunidad.” He added that “Tatayo ang paaralan bilang pangalawang tahanan para sa kanila.”
The administration also pledged to continue the school-based feeding program for more than 4.5 million learners, strengthen anti-bullying measures, deploy 10,000 School Counsellor Associates, construct thousands of additional classrooms, and expand AI literacy programs that have already reached students, parents, and teachers.
Healthcare also received significant attention. Marcos announced expanded PhilHealth benefits, increased therapy coverage for children with developmental disabilities, additional VAT-exempt medicines, and wider access to the YAKAP preventive healthcare program.
For household finances, the President proposed widening income tax exemptions, removing the minimum corporate income tax for small businesses, and amending the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA). He argued that consumers should no longer shoulder system loss charges, declaring: “Hindi naman kasalanan ng consumer kung bakit nagkaroon ng system loss.”
SONA 2026: A Better Philippines for All Families
Beyond immediate relief, SONA 2026 outlined a longer-term vision centered on national security, self-sufficiency, and improving the quality of life for Filipino families. The administration committed to strengthening disaster preparedness, modernizing transportation, investing in clean energy, supporting affordable housing, and creating more jobs through digital transformation and foreign investments.
Many of these proposals—including tax reforms and lower electricity costs—still require congressional approval before they become law. Still, they offer families a clearer picture of what the government hopes to accomplish over the next two years.
The President closed his address with a reminder of who these efforts are ultimately for: “We do this for our children. We do this for our future.“ For parents, the coming months will be about watching how these commitments translate into meaningful improvements in schools, healthcare, communities, and the everyday lives of Filipino families.
Frequently Asked Questions
The State of the Nation Address is the President’s annual report to Congress outlining the country’s condition, government accomplishments, and legislative priorities.
The speech highlighted safer schools, expanded school feeding, additional mental health support, improved healthcare benefits, tax relief proposals, lower electricity costs, and continued assistance for workers and vulnerable families.
He emphasized that protecting children is a shared responsibility among government, families, schools, communities, and the private sector while announcing stronger anti-bullying measures and additional guidance counselors.
No. Several proposals, including income tax relief and changes to electricity charges, still require congressional approval.
The speech outlines the government’s priorities that could influence education, healthcare, household expenses, transportation, and public services over the next two years.
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