QUEZON CITY, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivered his fourth State of the Nation Address on July 28, 2025, at the Batasang Pambansa, outlining his administration's progress and future plans across various sectors. The address, delivered to a first joint session of 20th congress, high-ranking government officials, and members of the diplomatic corps, underscored a commitment to economic stability, social services, and good governance, while also featuring stern warnings against corruption and inefficiency. A key highlight of his speech was the announcement of overtime pay for educators, a move widely anticipated by the teaching community.

The President's address covered a broad range of achievements and upcoming initiatives, focusing on economic resilience, food security, infrastructure development, and public health. He touted successes in controlling inflation and reducing unemployment, attributing these gains to strategic investments in agriculture, infrastructure, and healthcare. Marcos Jr. also emphasized the expansion of social welfare programs, including an unprecedented budget allocation for education, aiming to address critical needs in the public school system and beyond.

A significant portion of the SONA was dedicated to the welfare of government workers, particularly educators. Recognizing the demanding nature of their profession and their crucial role in nation-building, President Marcos Jr. announced a groundbreaking policy to compensate teachers for work beyond their regular hours. This move aims to alleviate the burden on overworked educators and ensure fair compensation for their extended efforts.

"At ngayong school year na ito, makakatanggap na kayo ng kabayaran para sa inyong teaching overload at para sa inyong overtime." This commitment to overtime pay for teachers is seen as a significant step towards improving working conditions and morale within the education sector.

The fourth SONA also saw the President issue strong warnings to various sectors, particularly those involved in government infrastructure projects and economic manipulation. He vowed to pursue accountability for corruption, especially in flood control projects, and threatened to veto any budget proposals not aligned with the direct benefit of the Filipino people. Overall, the address painted a picture of an administration striving for progress and accountability, with a notable emphasis on strengthening the foundation of the nation's human capital through improved support for its educators. -JG