Marcos’ 2025 SONA Signals Major Push for Safe and Resilient Infrastructure

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. dedicated a significant portion of his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) to the government’s ambitious infrastructure agenda. He reaffirmed the continuation of the “Build Better More” program, emphasizing that the mission is not merely to build more, but to build better—crafting infrastructure that is resilient, secure, and fundamentally safe for the Filipino people. For the construction and engineering sectors, this highlights a renewed focus on quality and structural integrity alongside a robust pipeline of projects in transportation, energy, and digital infrastructure.

A landmark announcement was the scheduled start of the 32-kilometer Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge project before the end of 2025. This mega-project is poised to be a game-changer for regional connectivity, drastically cutting travel time between Mariveles, Bataan, and Naic, Cavite, from five hours to just 45 minutes.

In his speech, the President also drew attention to the nation’s rail network. He confirmed that repairs are now underway for the PNR Bicol Line, specifically mentioning the rehabilitation of the Binahan Bridge. The long-term plan includes extending the line from Ragay, Camarines Sur, to Tagkawayan, Quezon, reviving a critical economic corridor.

On the urban transit front, Marcos noted that the long-delayed Dalian trains for the MRT are finally being commissioned, with three wagons already in service. More are expected to be operational by the end of the year, promising to increase the capacity of the critical Metro Manila railway.

The President also addressed critical infrastructure beyond transportation. In the energy sector, he acknowledged the persistent challenges of high electricity prices and brownouts despite the addition of new solar, wind, and natural gas power plants. He reported that 2.5 million households have been connected to the grid in the last three years and committed to an accelerated push. Nearly 200 new power plants are slated for completion in the next three years, aiming to connect an additional four million households. A specific directive was issued to the Department of Energy (DOE) and National Electrification Administration (NEA) to fast-track electrification in underserved provinces and deploy solar home systems to over a million more households by 2028.

In water infrastructure, the President highlighted ongoing large-scale bulk water supply projects and the use of modern filtration systems. He acknowledged service issues affecting over six million consumers and directed the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) to address these problems and ensure more affordable water rates.

For the Philippine construction industry, the President’s address outlines a clear and continued focus on transformative infrastructure projects, creating significant opportunities and reinforcing the sector’s role as a primary driver of national economic growth.