WHERE do you see the Philippines in the next 25 years?
According to HSBC and Goldman Sachs, we have the potential to be the 16th largest economy globally by 2050, given our natural resources and human capital. However, we cannot become a First World country and a First World economy overnight.
As an architect, urban planner and nation-builder, I have observed that great countries are built on these three pillars: visionary leadership, strong political will and good governance. Do we see these in our government?
On July 27, 2026, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivered his fifth and penultimate State of the Nation Address (SONA). For one hour and 26 minutes, he discussed the nation’s most pressing issues, his administration’s achievements, and his plan for the remaining years.
With less than two years left, the president finds himself at a crossroads. Is he prioritizing short-term gains to elevate his name, or is he focused on passing the torch to a new set of leaders?
Disaster resilience and preparedness
Natural hazards are nothing new to the Philippines. An average of 20 typhoons enter the Philippine area of responsibility annually. And in the past year, the Visayas and Mindanao experienced two devastating earthquakes.
In preparation for these calamities, Ligtas Pinoy Centers will be constructed throughout the country, especially in areas that are most susceptible to natural hazards. They will be designed to withstand wind speeds of up to 340 kilometers per hour and a magnitude 8.4 earthquake.
However, disaster preparedness doesn’t start with the evacuation center. One of the many recommendations I have shared with the administration is the amendment of the National Building Code, which was enacted in 1977. Thankfully, President Marcos sees the need to update it to make our structures as resilient as the Ligtas Pinoy Centers.
President Marcos also stressed the importance of being proactive, instead of reactive. Under Republic Act 12287 (also known as the State of Imminent Disaster Act), local governments can declare a state of imminent disaster to better prepare for incoming natural hazards. This will complement the expansive network of disaster resource networks in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
As I always say, it is 90 percent less expensive to address hazards before they become disasters. And this prevents loss of life, property and livelihood.
Mobility and transportation
While we do not experience natural hazards 24/7, we suffer from traffic congestion everyday with countless hours wasted and a financial loss of P3.5 billion per day, according to JICA. What is the administration doing to address this?
The transportation sector was hit hardest when fuel prices skyrocketed as a result of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. In response, the Marcos administration provided relief to transport workers, discounts for commuters, and reduced port fees for businesses.
The passage of the Accelerated and Reformed Right of Way Act is a major development that quickened land acquisition for public-transport projects, such as the MRT-7 and the North-South Commuter Railway.
Meanwhile, the government wants 50 percent of all vehicles to be electric by 2040. This will be achieved with zero tariffs until 2028 and the electrification of public transit, such as the Pasig River Ferry, the M/B Dalaray, and the Love Bus.
While all of these are important in the long term, the president failed to address the most pressing mobility issues faced by Filipinos: road safety and accessibility.
I was a consultant for the Philippine Development Plan 2023 to 2028, which states that “pedestrians and cyclists will be accorded the highest priority in the hierarchy of road users.” In other words, those with less in wheels must have more in roads.
Everyone is a pedestrian, regardless of their mode of transportation. Yet, the lack of any mention in the SONA of road safety and accessibility is indicative that they are not national priorities. What is the point of having world-class ports and bridges when there is no dignity in commuting and when people cannot even walk on the street safely?
Corruption
For this year’s SONA, the president wasted no time and started with the corruption regarding the flood control projects. According to him, his administration has begun investigating and holding people accountable.
“Hindi ako pangulo ng aking pamilya. Hindi ako pangulo ng aking kaibigan. Ako ay Pangulo ng Pilipinas at ang tungkulin ko ay sa inyo: ang aking mga kapwa Pilipino.”
The crowd erupted in applause when he said he was willing to file charges against the former House speaker, who is his relative. However, we must dig deeper by looking at the roots of the problem.
Why did his administration only address this issue in 2025? Why should familial relations matter in national affairs? And what is being done to ensure that the next administration will continue upholding justice and accountability beyond the flood control scandal?
It is one thing to go after the corrupt; it is another to allow corruption to fester. For far too long, Filipinos have accepted systemic corruption and political dynasties as normal. Family relations should have no place in politics and public service.
No perfect leader
The penultimate SONA of President Marcos was a mixed bag. Although there were notable steps forward in disaster preparedness and resilience, it still fell short on mobility and governance, for it failed to address the systemic problems.
While there is no perfect leader, there is no reason why they should not be held to the highest standard. As I always say, leaders must be the exemplar, not the exempted.
Visionary leadership means looking beyond electoral cycles and planning for the future. Strong political will is what gets things done. And good governance ensures that Filipinos will not suffer under the hands of corrupt officials.
As long as Filipinos tolerate a culture of mediocrity and corruption, we will never realize our full potential as a nation and country.
