President Rodrigo Duterte covered a wide range of policy issues in his second SONA. Here's just some of them from prepared speech and off-script comments.
... The protection of the environment must be made a priority [applause] ahead of mining and all other activities that adversely affect one way or another. And this policy is non-negotiable. [applause]
I sternly warn… I am warning all mining operations and contractors to refrain from the unbridled and irresponsible destruction of our watersheds, forests, and aquatic resources. You have gained much from mining, we only get about 70 billion a year, but you have considerably neglected your responsibility to protect and preserve — and even the tax, it’s about five percent — environment for posterity.
I am holding all mining companies and its officials responsible for the full and quick clean-up, restoration [and] rehabilitation of all areas damaged by mining activities, and the extension of all necessary support to the communities that have suffered mining’s disastrous effects on their health, [applause] livelihood, and environment, among others...
Corrupted airports and roads
... Ayan itong isa. Babalik ko ‘yung lowest bid. Alam mo ganun ‘yan adre eh. Ang magbabagsak ng lowest bid, ‘yung walang pera. Ang magbabagsak ng lowest bid, sasabihin niya doon sa ano, “Magbibigay po ako sa inyo.” Kung sinu-sino ‘yang mga opisyal. So, lowest bid papanaluhin siya. So, with no capital, bibigay siya ng pera. Tapos ibigay, lahat bigyan niya, connected — lahat. Pagkatapos niyan, if it is a 100-million project, he has to pay so many guys, ang naiwan niya 100 — out of the 100, 40 million lang, so that is the cost of the project.
So, when I was campaigning for the Presidency, I was all over the Philippines. My God, I could see a — the appropriation, pero ang airport nila, three meters long. So ginawa na lang basketball court. [laughter]
And there is a province here. Hindi kayo, not you. If you look into the records back in time na puro na complex ang roads diyan. Talagang daan dito, daan doon. Pero ‘pag pumunta ka, isang daan lang. It’s only one highway. That is how corruption destroys the nation....
Martial Law
...There is rebellion in Mindanao. The extremists have declared it their purpose to establish a caliphate within Philippine territory along the teachings and beliefs of [the] Islamic State of Iraq and Syria or otherwise known as ISIS. The battle of Marawi has dealt a terrible blow to our quest for peace especially now that an alien ideology and a radical shift in purpose have been injected into the local setting.
I declared Martial Law in Mindanao because I believed that that was the fastest way to quell the rebellion at the least cost of lives and properties. [applause] At the same time, the government would be adequately equipped with the constitutional tool not only to prevent the escape of rebels who can easily mingle and pretend to be civilian evacuees only to re-group in another place to fight another day, but also to prevent them from spreading their gospel of hate and violence in the rest of Mindanao...
... Investing in the health sector is never a cost to be endured but an opportunity to be explored.
If we are to embrace the vision of a prosperous Philippines, we have to start putting value to our people’s well-being – because the success of every Filipino’s pursuit in life, liberty and happiness directly mirrors the fulfillment of our aspirations as a Filipino.
I would like to reiterate my personal and this administration’s commitment to fully implement the Magna Carta of Women to the barangay level tapos na ito. [applause] To this effect, an executive order will be issued to local government units institutionalizing gender and development programs and services...
... But anyway since I could not get any funding. I traveled to China and make friends with them, and the ambassador is here, Ambassador Zhao, thank you for the help. And as a matter of fact [applause] willing… He said, “If your Congress has no money, we will give you the money.” And China has committed to build two bridges to span Pasig River, free of charge. [applause] So that you will be comfortable in crossing Pasig...
...In the meantime, the Department of Finance and Bureau of Internal Revenue are strengthening and running after tax evaders. [applause]
I have directed the Department of Finance and the BIR to accept Mighty Corporation’s offer of P25 billion to settle its tax liabilities. [applause] After the settlement, Mighty will no longer engage in the tobacco business.
This will be the biggest tax settlement on record. [applause] It will produce a windfall for government, which is significant, since we face the unexpected costs of rebuilding Marawi and Ormoc...
... We view Information and Communications Technology or ICT as an effective medium to implement positive and meaningful changes in our society.
To this end, my Cabinet approved the National Broadband Plan of 2017 to begin the work of bringing affordable Internet access to every community and improving broadband connectivity in the country.
We have also installed free Wi-Fi Internet in almost 400 public places around the country. [applause] We hope that the public will use them to access important information and services...
Prying persisting corruption
... My fellow citizens, much remains to be done. Corruption persists like a fishbone stuck in the throat. It pains and it is disconcerting. We need to pry corruption from the government corpus [where it] is deeply embedded. We also need to put an end to squabbles and bickerings within agencies [and] focus fully on the speedy provision of quality public services to our people.
Believe me, it is easier to build from scratch than to dismantle the rotten and rebuild upon its rubble...
... Let me end by wishing everyone in the language of the old: “May God keep us forever sheltered in the hollow of His hand.”
