The humanitarian and advocacy arm of the Catholic Church has expressed hope that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. would present poverty alleviation programs during his second State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 24.

Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo, president of Caritas Philippines, said the people would want to know the plans of the government to improve the Filipinos’ quality of life.

“We want to hear the President address the economic situation faced by the people,” Bagaforo said in an interview over Church-run Radio Veritas on Thursday.

The Catholic prelate noted that the majority of Filipinos are facing economic woes due to the high cost of living.

“We are on the inflation stage and many of our countrymen are having difficulties in providing the basic needs for their families,” added Bagaforo.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) earlier said headline inflation further slowed to 5.4 percent in June from 6.1 percent in May, the lowest rate recorded since 4.9 percent in April 2022.

On July 16, the PHP40 minimum wage hike in the National Capital Region took effect, bringing the daily minimum wage in the region from PHP570 to PHP610 for the non-agriculture sector and from PHP533 to PHP573 for the agriculture sector, service and retail establishments employing 15 or less workers and manufacturing establishments regularly employing less than 10 workers.

On Monday, Marcos said he would discuss the programs and projects he mentioned in his previous address, show those that have been accomplished, and the things that still need to be done in his second SONA to be held at the Batasang Pambansa.

The President said he will deliver a “very simple” performance report to the Filipinos. (PNA)