For Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, a good State of the Nation Address (SONA) hinges on the President outlining a robust infrastructure plan that transcends political administrations and leaves a lasting legacy for Filipinos.
Cayetano made this comment to reporters ahead of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s upcoming SONA on Monday, July 22, 2024.
“Each administration has real pet bills, projects, or mission in life… BBM has long-term ambitions… Y’ung mga mabibigat na talagang gusto niyang ilarga, now is the time to say it,” the veteran senator said in a media briefing on Thursday, July 18.
Drawing parallels to successful infrastructure projects in Hong Kong and Japan initiated decades ago, Cayetano underscored the importance of starting large-scale projects now to ensure timely completion and long-term benefits.
“If you visited Hong Kong in the late 80s or early 90s, never ka pumunta ng Hong Kong na walang ginagawa sa kanilang subway. Ngayon, after 30 years, konektado na ang buong ilalim nila at halos pwede mo rin lakarin at nakakabit na lahat ng tren. Lalo ang Japan. Kapag nakita mo y’ung Japan, parang ugat ng tao na nag halo-halo y’ung mga linya ng tren,” he said.
“Ang point ko, are we going to be happy that the last administration negotiated the subway and then just wait for it to finish by 2027, 2028, or 2029? Hindi ba dapat y’ung part 2 ng subway or y’ung subway for Cebu, or other trains for other parts of the country, ngayon pa lang iniisip na?” he added.
Cayetano said the future of Metro Manila also lies in connecting it to the Greater Manila Area, which includes the CALABARZON region and the provinces of Bulacan and Pampanga.
“Will we be satisfied with a Metro Manila subway or will we connect a Greater Metro Manila subway? Kasi if you don’t start that at kung walang direction sa SONA now, believe me, hindi mangyayari,” he commented.
Cayetano also stressed the necessity for the administration to hammer out a long-term infrastructure strategy to establish a lasting legacy.
“Kailangan din na medyo pukpukin y’ung infrastructure na long term… Remember, presidents think of their legacy. Kapag nasabi niya sa SONA ‘yan, babalik-balikan niya ‘yan. Kasi kayo mismo sa media, babalik-balikan iyan kung nagawa o hindi,” he said.
He noted that the time to do this is now because the following years will be consumed by preparations for the 2028 presidential election.
“The time for the political will of SONA is now until next year. After that, pulitika na,” he said.
