President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s second State of the Nation Address today highlights the progress the country has made under his leadership.
The President’s performance report covers efforts to aid the economy post-pandemic, including the lifting of the COVID-19 public emergency as well as the passage of key legislative measures, led by the Maharlika Investment Fund Act and the New Agrarian Emancipation Act.
Mr. Marcos said Filipinos must see that his earlier pronouncements and promises are relevant and not “just mere words.”
“That’s what I want to explain to people — that we have made significant progress. We can see the difference now, not only in terms of how the systems work, how the government works, it is also how we are seen or judged in the international community. That’s equally important,” he said.
In an earlier interview, Mr. Marcos acknowledged there is still a long way to go in assessing his performance as the country’s chief executive after just one year in office.
“We have done a lot of growth (and) we are beginning to see the systemic changes that are going to be part of the new bureaucracy, but there is still a long way to go,” he said.
“It’s never enough. Whatever it is that we have managed to do, there is still a great deal more to do. We have to work smart, and we have to work well, and we have to be very conscious.”
“It is an ongoing process. Again, we have to bear in mind that the international situation has changed, in terms of trade, in terms of geopolitics. So, we are having to adjust to that. And now it is very clear that the most successful economies are those that are agile and resilient. And that I think we have put in place the basic elements in place to do that,” he added.
Mr. Marcos said his administration is working hard to reinvigorate the economy, putting a premium on the agriculture sector which plays a vital role in the country’s development.
He added the government is doubling its efforts to attract more investments.
“The job ahead of us is to make structural big changes that we have instituted, to make them work and so we can see the results, not only in terms of statistics but also in the lives of ordinary people,” he said.
Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian, for his part, hailed the President’s economic agenda geared toward the poor and the vulnerable sector.
“Early on, I can say that President Marcos’ heart is in the right place since his main concern is the livelihood and well-being of the poor, marginalized, and vulnerable sectors of society. And this has been his guide during the first year of his presidency,” Gatchalian said.
The DSWD recently launched its “Walang Gutom 2027: Food Stamp Program” where food-poor Filipino families will be given a monthly “food credit” of P3,000.
Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Susan Ople also praised the Chief Executive’s solutions to the problems of overseas Filipino workers.
“The future looks bright in the field of overseas employment because this sense of teamwork, camaraderie, and shared initiatives are infectious, leading to a more upbeat outlook on the Philippines among foreign employers,” said Ople.
Last July 21, DMW launched its mobile app as part of the President’s directive to digitalize the agency’s services to provide assistance and secure the welfare of OFWs.
Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. commended the administration’s continued support on the local governance reform and peace and order initiatives.
Abalos said that through the Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan or the BIDA program, the government was able to establish partnerships with various private companies to formulate their respective anti-illegal drug policy.
For his part, Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual described the President’s leadership as “visionary.”
Pascual said key policies from the President have put the country into a strategic economic recovery roadmap.
National Economic and Development Authority Secretary Arsenio Balisacan likewise lauded Mr. Marcos for signing the Maharlika Investment Fund Bill into law, saying this would help the country achieve its long-term development goals.
Seven out of 10 Filipinos remain satisfied with the administration’s performance, a survey by OCTA Research showed.
The President has also received an approval rating of 78 percent among Filipinos based on a Pulse Asia survey. With Erica Cayme, Arrianna Taclas, Zofia Tadeo