President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday expressed his satisfaction with the government’s performance on the economy in 2024 during the 24th National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) board meeting at Malacañang.

“I’m quite satisfied. I’m even proud. I would go as far as saying I’m proud of the things that we have achieved,” he said.

“We have to make it known to the people that this is what we are doing. So, it has to be in a language that is easily digestible and in a language that makes sense to Juan de la Cruz. We’re falling behind in making the connection between what we are doing and the lives of ordinary Filipinos,” he said.

While multiple infrastructure projects are still underway and might not be finished before his term expires, Marcos emphasized the long-term benefits that will be gained.

The President mentioned the opening of the Bataan-Cavite Bridge, which would ease traffic congestion in Metro Manila and open up other places in Central Luzon and Calabarzon, among other projects.

He also called for a thorough and consolidated report on the government’s efforts to ensure food security in the country to explain to the public the steps that the government is taking.

NEDA Secretary Arsenio Balisacan stressed the government must avoid complacency.

He reaffirmed his commitment to making economic growth more inclusive.

This year, the government aims to sustain a higher growth trajectory with a gross domestic product growth target of 6.0-8.0 percent compared to 2024’s 6.0-6.5 percent. NEDA also aims to achieve a headline inflation rate within 2.0-4.0 percent, and poverty incidence below 13.2 percent this year and 9.0 percent in 2028.

Balisacan said NEDA will continue to drive socioeconomic transformation by diversifying and developing new growth drivers, enabling the adoption of new technologies, raising economic productivity and establishing meaningful collaborations with various stakeholders.

It will also work with Congress to secure development priorities to ensure fiscal programs support growth and institutionalize the regular conduct of monitoring and evaluation, integrating it into budgeting, planning, and investment programming.