President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. distributed P200 million to local governments in Regions VI and VII during his recent visit to La Carlota, Negros Occidental, accompanied by Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian.
PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF PCO
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President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. swore in newly appointed Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon on Friday and emphasized the need to update the master plan for transport infrastructure development.
He also highlighted the importance of expanding the government’s partnership with the private sector to improve the efficiency of the transport systems.
Dizon said the President’s directive to him is to expedite the ongoing transportation infrastructure projects, as well as those already in the pipeline.
“The President feels the pain of our people. And that’s why he said, the first thing he said, is that all these projects have to be fast-tracked,” Dizon said.
“Our roadmap is really to privatize because that’s the fastest way. We are confident that when our infrastructure is in the hands of the private sector — of course, the contracts are in order, the government is protected, the passengers are protected — we are sure those facilities will be maintained and operated properly,” he said.
— The President’s activities of the past week were tracked through a partnership between Daily Tribune and the Bureau of Communications Services of the Presidential Communications Office.
President Marcos on 18 February announced new social welfare initiatives that would create more opportunities for Filipinos, during the 74th anniversary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.
Among these initiatives are the Harmonized Electronic License and Permit System, which aims to streamline the application process for licenses and permits, and the Minors Traveling Abroad System, which modernizes the travel clearance process for traveling children to ensure their safety.
They also include the Pamilya sa Bagong Pilipinas Program, which offers services to support family life transitions. It features three components: Bagong Pamilyang Pilipino, Bumabangon sa Gitna ng mga Hamon and Maunlad at Matatag na Pamilya.
Meanwhile, the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) has benefitted over 4.05 million households, with nearly 678,000 families achieving self-sufficiency. More than one million high school student beneficiaries have graduated, and 477,000 elementary school children have completed their primary education.
The Philippines and the United States have bolstered their enduring alliance with the signing of the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSoMIA), a legally binding agreement designed to enable the secure exchange of classified military information and technology between their respective militaries and governments.
Defense Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr. and then US Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III formally signed the GSoMIA on 18 November 2024 at the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Commissioned Officers Club in Manila.
The asset-sharing agreement, finally cemented after years of arduous negotiations, is aimed at enhancing both nations’ military interoperability and pave the way for the availability and capacity to utilize more sophisticated defense capabilities, including access to higher-level intelligence and advanced weapons systems.
During the courtesy visit of Czech Defense Minister Jana Černochová to Malacañang, President Marcos said he expects the Philippines and the Czech Republic to explore more areas of cooperation to strengthen their partnership.
The President reflected on his fruitful visit to Prague in March last year where he engaged with Czech leaders and industrialists.
Marcos said he hoped for a stronger relationship between the Philippines and the Czech Republic across various sectors, including through cultural exchanges, economic collaboration, defense and security cooperation, and diplomatic and governmental relations.
Černochová, for her part, expressed gratitude for the invitation to meet the President. She was pleased that Marcos fondly recalled his visit to Prague last year.
President Marcos assured Negrenses his administration would continue to help people in need by providing employment, state support, and livelihoods through a whole-of-government effort.
The President visited Negros Oriental to oversee the grant of assistance by the DSWD and to ensure that jobseekers are employed through a coordination with employers.
The government has established a one-stop shop comprised of different agencies so jobseekers can quickly obtain the clearances they need to apply for jobs and receive other services.
On Thursday, Marcos emphasized that the senatorial candidates of Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas are committed to supporting the administration in safeguarding and advancing the public interest and welfare, with no intention of sowing fear.
During a campaign rally in Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental, Marcos said the Alyansa’s senatorial candidates who belong to various political parties have united in pursuit of their shared goal of advancing the interests and welfare of Filipinos.
“Fellow countrymen, our direction is clear. Our direction is to develop the Philippines, not oppress it. The solution is development, not fear. The solution is to improve the way our government operates,” Marcos said.
During the oath-taking of the newly promoted generals and flag officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Foreign Pre-Commission Training Institutions graduates in Malacañang, President Marcos instructed the AFP to meet the public expectations by ensuring peaceful, credible, and orderly elections on 12 May.
The President noted that the AFP reaffirmed its commitment during the Solidarity Pact Signing for the 2025 National and Local Elections to uphold the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
He asked the newly promoted military officials and training graduates to be “shining examples of how a Bagong Pilipino” should be: disciplined, patriotic, and committed to the greater good for the most significant number.
21 February
Hasten connectivity infra
President Marcos directed newly appointed Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon to fast-track key infrastructure projects to enhance connectivity, ensure commuter safety, and drive economic growth.
He emphasized that infrastructure is more than just building roads and railways — it is about delivering safe, reliable, and future-ready mobility for millions of Filipinos.
With the directive, the administration is doubling down on efforts to not only complete ongoing projects but initiate new ones that will reshape urban mobility and the transport landscape.
DoTr urged to expand agri ports
The Chief Executive directed the Department of Transportation to expand the port system, particularly the agricultural ports, to lower the cost of goods and transport services.
Ports expansion is one of the government’s priority programs under the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028, which aims to enhance connectivity across the regions and improve the economic trade and transaction system.
Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon assured close coordination with the Philippine Ports Authority, the Department of Agriculture, and other agencies concerned to ensure the establishment of agricultural ports all over the country.
21 February
BARMM polls deferred
The President signed into law the measure postponing the first parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin confirmed to Palace reporters the signing of the law, which defers the first regular elections in the BARMM originally scheduled for May this year. Marcos in January certified as urgent the bill postponing the first Bangsamoro parliamentary elections.
The exclusion of Sulu from the BARMM, a petition challenging the constitutionality of the Bangsamoro Electoral Code of 2023, and a request from the Commission on Elections for additional time to prepare for the polls were among the reasons cited.
