On 22 July 2024, the Chinese Filipino Business Club, Inc. (CFBCI) President Samuel Lee Uy and Senior Adviser Joseph Co attended the third State of the Nation Address (SONA) delivered by President Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos. The occasion was graced with the attendance of former presidents, honorable members of the Cabinet, Senate, and the House of Representatives, justices of the Supreme Court, members of the diplomatic corps, and other distinguished guests.

One of the stark points of President Marcos’ speech is his announcement that all Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) will be banned to solve persisting issues including financial scamming, money laundering, prostitution, human trafficking, kidnapping, brutal torture, and corruption. The President has mandated the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) to achieve this agenda by the end of 2024.

In terms of food security, President Marcos has recognized the present difficulties experienced by Filipinos due to international political conflicts, supply dilemmas, and natural disasters. He expressed the commitment of his administration to alleviate the impact of these problems to ordinary Filipinos by enhancing local production and providing greater agricultural support before, during, and after harvest. President Marcos also mentioned efforts aiming to assist the fishing industry including fish port developments, and distribution of five hundred million fingerlings and three thousand boats to Filipinos. He also announced that the Philippines is preparing for the roll-out of vaccines countering African swine fever.

“As we enter mid-term, our infrastructure development remains sustained, strategic, and on schedule,” President Marcos said. CFBCI supports the aggressive infrastructure development agenda of the Philippine government that caters to the expanding needs of education, health, energy, transport, and information technology sectors. The President also announced that as of date, thirteen thousand areas all over the country can provide free Wi-Fi to Filipinos, and the National Fiber Backbone project is expected to be completed by 2026.

As of May 2024, President Marcos reported that twelve kilometers worth of roads and 1,200 bridges were built across the country. C-LEX and the NLEX-SLEX Connector are both expected to be completed this year, while the CALAX and the C5 SouthLink will be finished next year. These projects, as explained by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan during its courtesy meeting with CFBCI last year, will enhance interconnectivity among North, Central, and South Luzon areas and Metro Manila. As part of the Philippines’ “railway renaissance” era, the construction of the Metro Manila Subway Project, MRT-7, and the North-South Commuter Railway is currently progressing.

Various areas such as education, jobs and livelihood, tourism, foreign employment, peace and order, and campaign against dangerous drugs were also discussed by the President. In terms of international relations, President Marcos stressed that proper diplomatic channels and mechanisms under the rules-based international order remain as the only acceptable means of settling geopolitical disputes involving the Philippines. ”Peace and community-building will always be our clarion call, especially when the country serves as chair and the host of the ASEAN Summit in 2026,” President Marcos said. In closing, President Marcos called out to the Filipino masses: “Lagi po nating mahalin ang Pilipinas. Lagi po nating mahalin ang Pilipino. Mabuhay po kayo at mabuhay ang Bagong Pilipinas!” Definitely, CFBCI joins this journey towards a brighter future for the Philippines.

In line with CFBCI’s goal of assisting agencies of the national government in their initiatives, President Samuel Uy deeply appreciated such an opportunity to attend the President’s SONA. On behalf of the 400-strong membership of CFBCI, President Samuel Uy stands in cooperation with the current administration to bring forth greater positive changes in our society that will benefit our brothers and sisters in need.

菲華工商總會訊：本會理事長黃書瑋偕同常務顧問許經綸，於七月廿二日（星期一）下午，應邀出席馬可斯總統假計順市眾議院舉行的第三次國情咨文發佈會（SONA）。出席發佈會的其他貴賓包括菲律濱前總統、大理院法官、參議員、眾議員、閣員、外交使節團成員及政商名流等。

馬可斯總統在演說中，宣布禁止在菲律濱設立針對海外賭客的賭博業務，在年底前逐步減少並最終全面終止這類離岸博彩公司的營運；同時指示菲勞工部幫助因禁令失業的菲律濱工人。在糧食安全方面，總統表示政府將提高當地生產，並且對農業提供更大的支持，以減輕一般菲律濱人的糧食問題；他也向大家分享菲律濱目前的各項基礎建設及經濟發展，並且闡述政府在教育、就業、民生、旅遊、數位基礎設施、醫療保健、治安及禁毒等各領域的努力及成效。

馬可斯總統在一個半小時的國情咨文演講最後說：「今天開始，禁止所有離岸博彩公司（POGO）。」現場聽眾為總統起立鼓掌。

圖片說明：
上左圖：本會理事長黃書瑋（右）偕同常務顧問許經綸（左）應邀出席小馬可斯總統假計順市眾議院舉行的第三次國情咨文演說。
上右圖：（左起）許經綸，內政部長Benjamin “Benhur" De Castro Abalos, Jr.律師，黃書瑋在會場合影。
下圖：本會出席領導與國家經濟發展部部長Arsenio M. Balisacan（左二），貿工部部長Alfredo E. Pascual（左三）在會場合影。