In the runup to the Christmas holidays, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. balanced celebration and protecting the integrity of the nation, taking the position of maintaining the equilibrium in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) by keeping our Navy ships out of the disputed waters but still maintaining the activities within the exclusive economic zone.

The President’s activities in the previous week were compiled in a collaboration between DAILY TRIBUNE and the Bureau of Communications Services of the Presidential Communications Office.

8 December

First Couple brings holiday cheer to kids

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos brought cheer to some 30,000 children around the country, including those from select shelters and orphanages, in the annual nationwide simultaneous Christmas gift-giving program of Malacañang.

In his address on the 3rd “Balik Sigla, Bigay Saya” annual gift-giving day, Marcos recounted how his late father and namesake held Christmas gatherings for children at the Palace in Manila during his presidency.

“You know, every Christmas we held an open house because that’s the tradition of our family, the Marcos family, when I was young when we lived here,” Marcos said.

Continue fight vs insurgency, NTF-ELCAC told

President Marcos called on the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) to remain steadfast in addressing the insurgency while praising the task force’s significant contributions to the pursuit of lasting peace and development.

In a message on NTF-ELCAC’s sixth anniversary at Camp Aguinaldo, Marcos commended the task force for its tireless efforts in tackling the root causes of insurgency and revitalizing conflict-affected communities.

9 December

RTL amendment to ensure food security

President Marcos signed into law a measure amending the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL) as the government moves to ensure a stable food supply and lower rice prices.

In an address in Malacañang, Marcos said Republic Act 12078, the Agricultural Tariffication Act, will extend the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) to 2031 and increase its funding from P10 billion to P30 billion annually.

“This will enable us to do much more for our farmers, ensuring that they have the resources they need to succeed and to make the rice industry even more competitive,” he said.

Law relieves mental health concerns

A measure was signed to institutionalize the promotion of mental health in basic education to significantly enhance government efforts in addressing the “alarming” mental health concerns among the youth.

In a ceremony in Malacañang, President Marcos put into effect Republic Act 12080, the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act, allowing schools to become “sanctuaries of learning and of well-being.”

The law, the President noted, mandates the establishment and implementation of mental health and well-being programs for both basic education learners and teaching and non-teaching personnel in public and private schools.

VAT refund for non-resident tourists

The President signed the law on value-added tax (VAT) refunds for non-resident tourists, which is aimed at attracting more visitors to the country.

In his speech in Malacañang, the Chief Executive said that aside from encouraging higher tourism spending to stimulate economic growth, the law is an opportunity to promote indigenous products in communities near local tourist destinations.

Under the scheme, tourists can claim a refund on purchases worth at least P3,000 made in accredited stores, provided these goods are taken out of the country within 60 days of purchase.

Higher SRI for mentors ordered

The Department of Budget and Management and the Department of Education were directed to work together on providing a higher Service Recognition Incentive (SRI) for public school teachers while balancing fiscal responsibilities.

President Marcos wants to increase the annual SRI of 1,011,800 DepEd personnel from P18,000 to P20,000 in recognition of the crucial role of teachers in molding the Filipino youth.

NLEX opens 3rd Candaba viaduct

On 10 December, President Marcos inaugurated the P7.8-billion North Luzon Expressway’s 3rd Candaba viaduct in Pulilan, Bulacan, which he said would spur regional development in Central Luzon through enhanced connectivity and business opportunities and tourism.

Marcos said the project will enhance the capacity of the expressway, reduce congestion and ensure faster, more efficient travel.

Designed with the latest in engineering innovation, the President said the structure attests to the government’s dedication to safety, durability and progress.

Support Kanlaon victims

Food packs and other essential aid were distributed to over 80,000 residents affected by the eruption of Mt. Kanlaon.

The President said the government stands ready to address the needs of the affected families, noting that Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian had traveled to Negros Island to oversee relief efforts following the eruption.

10 December

Bagong Pilipinas Cancer Care Center inaugurated

In a speech, the President highlighted that according to the Philippine Statistics Authority, cancer ranked as the second leading cause of death in the country from January to May this year.

The Bagong Pilipinas Cancer Care Center will meet the increasing demand for cancer treatment and address the limited capacity of the Overseas Filipino Worker Hospital. It will function as both an outpatient department and a cancer treatment facility.

It is expected to accommodate 64 patients and provide various treatments.

Indonesia asks for silence on Veloso case

The President told reporters during the inauguration of the Viaduct 3 in Pulilan, Bulacan, that Indonesia requested that the Philippines not make any announcements regarding Mary Jane Veloso until everything is settled.

He said that he would respect that request.

No warships in WPS

On the same day, the President said the government would not deploy any Navy warships to the West Philippine Sea (WPS) despite the recent harassment by China because the country is not at war.

He said it would be provocative and viewed as an escalation, and the country would always try to bring down the tension.

However, resupply missions and the protection of the country’s territorial rights will continue.

11 December

13 model overseas Filipinos, groups

Mr. Marcos recognized 13 individuals who received the 2024 Presidential Award for Filipino Individuals and Organizations Overseas for bringing pride to the Philippines and Filipinos abroad.

The President said the Lingkod sa Kapwa Pilipino, Pamana ng Pilipino and Banaag awardees had ventured to foreign lands, faced challenges head-on, and triumphantly excelled in their lines of work.

Marcos also extended his gratitude to the Kaanib ng Bayan awardees — natural-born foreign individuals and organizations for giving the same level of support, passion, and care for overseas Filipino communities.

Tourism’s golden age beckons

In a meeting at Malacañang, Mr. Marcos said the Private Sector Advisory Council’s (PSAC) tourism sector recommendations were significant initiatives to attract more tourists to the Philippines.

The President approved the recommendations of the PSAC to enhance efforts to boost the tourism industry following the signing into law of the VAT Refund for Non-Resident Tourists.

One of PSAC’s key recommendations is a nationwide “Shopping Festival Philippines” to coincide with the New Year celebrations.

12 December

Peaceful Bangsamoro 2025 polls

The President underscored the need for a peaceful conduct of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) polls next year.

During the second Joint National Peace and Order Council-Regional Peace and Order Councils meeting for 2024 in Quezon City, the President said the electoral process is the key to peace in Mindanao.

Non-escalatory WPS approach

During the 2nd Joint National Peace and Order Council-Regional Peace and Order Councils meeting, President Marcos underscored the need to adhere to non-escalatory approaches in the West Philippine Sea dispute.

Earlier, the President stressed the Philippines would not deploy Navy warships to the WPS despite the recent harassment by China.

Marcos reiterated the resupply missions and the protection of the country’s territorial rights in the WPS will continue, adding the Philippines will relentlessly advocate for a peaceful resolution to the regional issue.

13 December

Kanlaon response stepped up

The President assured that government agencies are prepared to help the people of Negros Island displaced by the eruption of Mt. Kanlaon.

In a message, Mr. Marcos said the government will “level up” its response to the disaster.

He said the national government is closely coordinating with local government units on assistance and disaster response.

Calls for scientific disaster response

At the 24th Gawad Kalasag National Awarding Ceremony in Pasay City, the President highlighted the need for science-based innovations in disaster response.

Mr. Marcos said it was crucial that disaster risk reduction and the response system be continuously improved.

The Chief Executive added that the country’s top disaster management office and local government units should work together for the cause.

AFP as world-class force

At the joint graduation ceremony of the Major Services Officer Candidate Course, Mr. Marcos reiterated his administration’s strong commitment to modernizing the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

The President underscored that the transformation of the AFP will begin with investments in its talents, specialists, and leaders who will bridge the gap between tradition and innovation.

He said the government will modernize the AFP’s equipment, enhance its training programs, and ensure that it is equipped to face the challenges not just of today, but also of the future.

14 December

Distribute smuggled frozen mackerel

President Marcos ordered the distribution of 21 container vans of confiscated frozen mackerel from China valued at P178.5 million to evacuation centers, hospitals, care facilities, and prisons supervised by the Bureau of Corrections.

Marcos issued the directive after his inspection of the estimated 580,000 kilos of smuggled mackerel in Tondo, Manila.