Administration looks back on achievements

The Marcos administration reflected on its accomplishments over the past year as it prepared for 2025.

In 2024, several infrastructure projects inherited from previous administrations were completed, which helped boost confidence in the country’s economic outlook and infrastructure development.

As the population continues to grow, so does the demand for power. In response, energy projects were strengthened to connect Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao.

In July, the Mariveles-Hermosa-San Jose 500-kilovolt transmission line was inaugurated, enhancing the energy capacity of the Luzon power grid. This line runs from Bataan to Bulacan, passing through Pampanga.

In the Visayas, the Cebu-Negros-Panay backbone project was completed in April, stabilizing the region’s power supply and reducing outages. The project, which cost P67.9 billion, was a significant step in addressing the region’s energy needs.

Additionally, the Cebu-Bohol Interconnection Project was fully energized in September, improving connectivity between Cebu and Bohol.

While these projects primarily benefited Luzon and the Visayas, Mindanao also reaped rewards with the Mindanao-Visayas Interconnection. This infrastructure linked the two regions via a 184-circuit-kilometer high-voltage direct cable, with a transfer capacity of 450 megawatts, further enhancing power distribution across the country.

These projects, as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said in his third State of the Nation Address, marked a “defining moment” for the power sector and the whole country.

He said this would lower the cost of electricity in the future.

In addition to energizing the entire country, two other significant milestones were achieved by the national government with the completion of the Panguil Bay Bridge, and the Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1) Cavite Extension Phase 1 (L1CE).

The completion of the Panguil Bay Bridge has made it the longest water-spanning bridge in Mindanao. Opened in September 2024, it connects Tangub City in Misamis Occidental to Tubod in Lanao del Norte.

Spanning 3.16 kilometers, the bridge serves over 10,000 commuters daily, significantly reducing travel time from two hours to just seven minutes.

The project, implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), was constructed through a loan agreement with the Korean Export-Import Bank’s Economic Development Cooperation Fund.

For its development, the DPWH employed advanced Korean bridge technology, featuring an extra-dosed main bridge with a 320-meter central span. The installation of a state-of-the-art lighting system also enhanced nighttime travel safety.

Malacañang highlighted the Panguil Bay Bridge as a prime example of the government’s commitment to the “Build Better More” infrastructure initiative, marking a new era in the Philippines’ infrastructure development.

On 15 November 2024, Marcos inaugurated Phase 1 of the Cavite extension of the Light Rail Transit Line 1.

This extended the LRT-1 by adding six kilometers to the existing 20.7-kilometer LRT-1 line, bringing its total length to 26 kilometers.

So far, Phase 1 of the L1CE has completed five new stations, namely, Redemptorist-ASEANA, Manila International Airport Road, Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX), Ninoy Aquino Avenue and Dr. Santos (formerly Sucat).

This is the first railway project to be completed under the Marcos Jr. administration. It reduces travel time between Baclaran, Pasay City and Bacoor, Cavite, from 1 hour and 10 minutes to just 25 minutes, serving 80,000 additional passengers daily.

The urban rail transit system in the country was initiated under the leadership of President Ferdinand Marcos Sr.

Construction of Phase 2 and Phase 3 of the LRT-1 extension is scheduled to begin in 2026.

Legislative goals

One of the key legislative priorities of the Marcos Jr. administration is the expansion of the Philippine economy while safeguarding the welfare and interests of the Filipino people. To achieve this, landmark measures were signed to enhance the competitiveness of the Philippine market.

In response to the country’s digital transformation, Marcos signed the Anti-Financial Accounts Scamming Act (RA 12010), which protects financial consumers from fraudulent transactions.

Additionally, the VAT on Digital Transactions Act (RA 12023) was enacted, empowering the Bureau of Internal Revenue to streamline and expand its authority to collect the value-added tax on foreign digital services.

In the agricultural sector, Marcos signed the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act (RA 12022) and the Agricultural Tariffication Act (RA 12078) to protect Filipino farmers and consumers from unjust price hikes on essential commodities.

He also signed the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises to Maximize Opportunities for Reinvigorating the Economy, or CREATE MORE Act, which enhances the country’s business landscape, making tax incentives more competitive and investment-friendly.