President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. capped 2024 with a reminder to Filipinos about the patriotism that national hero Jose Rizal imparted and which remains relevant today. The President exemplified the nationalistic fervor by fulfilling his commitment to sign the 2025 General Appropriations Act, or the national budget, before the year ended.

The following were President Marcos’s activities and a summary of his 2025 achievements through a collaboration between Daily Tribune and the Bureau of Communications Services of the Presidential Communications Office.

30 December

Rizal Day marked

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. joined the nation in commemorating Rizal Day by calling on Filipinos to take to heart Dr. Jose Rizal’s words and ideals that awakened the consciousness of the people and stirred a national movement for freedom.

Marcos urged Filipinos to look back with pride and to embody all the things Rizal had cherished, like love of country, dedication to the truth and a commitment for the betterment of the people.

Similarly, he said that one could realize from Rizal’s works that true change begins within. He urged Filipinos to be catalysts of change and contribute to the country, and to make decisions that would echo Rizal’s resolve.

2025 budget OK’d as promised

The President signed the 2025 national budget amounting to P6.326-trillion after vetoing P194-billion in line items that were deemed inconsistent with the administration’s priority programs.

Of the vetoed amount, P26.065 billion was for projects of the DPWH and P168.24 billion had been allocated for “unprogrammed appropriations.”

Marcos also pursued the conditional implementation of specific items to ensure that funds are used effectively, emphasizing that the government must not merely be provisional in its solutions, but address long-term issues.

The Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) will be implemented in coordination with the DSWD, DoLE and NEDA. This way, the government ensures that its implementation will be strategic, leading to the long-term improvement of the lives of qualified beneficiaries while guarding against misuse, duplication and fragmented benefits.

The President assured the government’s commitment to prudent fiscal management to ensure that all budget increases and new appropriations undergo cash programming, compliance with budget execution rules, and approval by the offices concerned.

NSC reorganized

The National Security Council (NSC) was reorganized to ensure its resiliency as an institution facing evolving domestic and international challenges and opportunities.

President Marcos issued Executive Order 81 signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin reorganizing the NSC.

The NSC will now be composed of the President as chairperson with the Senate President, Speaker of the House, Senate President Pro-Tempore, three deputy speakers to be designated by the Speaker, the majority floor leaders of the Senate and the House, the minority floor leaders of the Senate and the House, and the chairpersons of the Senate committees on foreign relations, on national defense and security, peace, unification and reconciliation, and on public order and dangerous drugs as members.

31 December

President bares top 2024 achievements

The President inaugurated the Panguil Bay Bridge, the longest water-spanning bridge in Mindanao.

The 3.16-kilometer bridge that opened in September 2024 connects Tangub City in Misamis Occidental to Tubod in Lanao del Norte, providing convenience to more than 10,000 commuters daily. It has significantly reduced travel time between the two provinces from two hours to seven minutes, which is a major milestone in Philippine infrastructure development.

The President underscored the bridge’s far-reaching impact on Mindanao’s economy, particularly on local businesses. Faster transportation of goods and safer and more convenient travel are expected to spur growth and development in the region.

LRT-1 Cavite Extension Project opened

The President inaugurated the LRT-1 Cavite Extension Project Phase 1 to enhance the country’s transportation system.

The extension, which began operations on 16 November, comprises five new stations, namely, Redemptorist-ASEANA, Manila International Airport Road, Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange, Ninoy Aquino Avenue and Dr. Santos (formerly Sucat).

The new line is the first railway project completed under the Marcos 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 construction of Phase 2 and Phase 3 is scheduled to begin in 2026, according to the Department of Transportation.

Economic reforms pledged

The Chief Executive has committed to usher in economic reforms that will result in better lives for Filipinos under the banner of “Bagong Pilipinas.”

Among the key reforms are programs and initiatives that will ensure liberalization, privatization and globalization in the country.

Mr. Marcos started 2024 with a promise to further strengthen the economy, particularly to boost agriculture after the inflation rate settled to its lowest level in December 2023.

Included in his commitment to strengthen the economy are strategies for implementing the timely deployment of trade policy tools along with sustained investments in irrigation, flood control, supply chain logistics and climate change adaptation.

A contributor to economic reform are globalization strategies through the standardization of economic activities in the country.

Last January, President Marcos ordered the Maritime Industry Authority to standardize Philippine maritime practices in to align with global benchmarks.

Included in globalization are programs that will upgrade Filipino workers’ skills to global standards.

Last March, during his visit to Germany, President Marcos signed an agreement for the reskilling and upskilling of Filipino workers on digitalization and the green economy.

The President’s digital transformation agenda prompted Google to expand its business in the Philippines.

Legislative goals on track

The administration remains on track to achieve its legislative agenda to further expand the Philippine economy while protecting the welfare of Filipinos and the country’s interests.

This year, President Marcos signed into law several bills of national significance. Eleven of these priority measures came from the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council.

Among these priority laws, the President was clear in his directive of making public procurement practices at par with international standards. This is becoming a reality with the newly signed New Government Procurement Act.

Stimulating agriculture sector

Since day one of his leadership, President Marcos has been a staunch supporter of the growth of the agricultural sector, hoping to replicate the passion of his late father for farming. Thus the enactment of the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act and the Agricultural Tariffication Act.

President Marcos also leads in championing the interests of the country by further asserting the country’s rights in its domain by way of the Philippine Maritime Zones Act and the Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act.

He also fortified the support for local defense industries through the Self-Reliant Defense Posture Revitalization Act.

CREATE MORE means more prosperity

President Marcos signed the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises to Maximize Opportunities for Reinvigorating the Economy (CREATE MORE) Act, a landmark legislation enhancing the country’s business landscape, making the Philippines tax incentives competitive and investment-friendly.

While the country eyes becoming an investment hub in Asia, the President stressed the need to produce a competitive workforce using a multi-faceted approach.

This is where the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning Program Act and the Enterprise-Based Education and Training Program Act play a role in increasing young Filipinos’ competencies and bridging the gap between education and industry demands.

Greeting Pinoys for a better year

Mr. Marcos extended his heartfelt greetings to Filipinos in the country and abroad on the New Year.

He said it’s an opportunity to learn from the past and apply the wisdom to better oneself.

The President extolled everyone to look ahead with renewed hope and optimism knowing that experience will be the guide in building a future filled with promise and purpose, and to draw inspiration from the innumerable acts of courage, compassion and bayanihan in the face of adversity.