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President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. maintained a whirlwind schedule last week, navigating a series of high-profile engagements as the country approaches the crucial election period.
DAILY TRIBUNE and the Bureau of Communications Services of the Presidential Communications Office share the Chief Executive’s activities last week.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. joined the Muslim community in celebrating Eid’l Fitr, the Festival of Breaking the Fast, which marked the end of Ramadan.
Tying the religious observance to the country’s national goals, the President urged Filipinos to embody the virtues of dedication and faith to achieve a more equitable and peaceful Bagong Pilipinas.
Eid al Fitr is a significant religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide, which marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting.
Malacañang urged investors to pour more investments into the country following the Business Expectations Survey (BES) of the BSP which showed a higher confidence index (CI) during the second quarter of 2025.
The BES survey showed that business firms are more upbeat, with the overall CI increasing to 45.4 percent from 40.3 percent in the last quarter of 2024.
As confidence levels improved, Philippine business turned more optimistic in the second quarter. At the same time, optimism for the next 12 months remained steady, according to the BSP survey.
For the next 12 months, the BSP said the business outlook remains buoyant, with the overall CI holding steady at 56.4 percent, unchanged from the fourth quarter 2024 survey.
President Marcos directed government agencies to mobilize resources and provide immediate assistance to Myanmar and Thailand following the 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck the countries on 28 March.
The Department of National Defense led an interagency meeting that agreed to deploy a response team of 114 personnel from various government agencies on 2 April.
The PCO reported that some Filipinos were affected by the earthquake in Mandalay, Myanmar and parts of Thailand.
It said the government’s emergency response efforts will focus on medical aid, search and rescue operations, and logistical support for recovery initiatives in affected areas.
The government assured continued assistance to 17 Filipinos arrested in Qatar for participating in political rallies in support of former President Rodrigo R. Duterte, who is facing trial in The Hague, Netherlands, on a charge of crimes against humanity.
The PCO said the government will continue to assist the detained Filipinos, saying the government had taken immediate action upon learning of the arrests.
The maximum suggested retail price (MSRP) for imported rice is now at P45 per kilo, Malacañang said on 2 April, noting the drop in global prices of the staple.
The PCO quoted the DA as saying that since the MSRP was implemented, there was a reduction of P19 from the price of imported rice, which previously sold at P64 per kilo.
It said the Philippines Statistics Authority sees the MSRP as a significant factor in reducing rice prices and slowing inflation.
The government has strengthened its collaborations with the private sector to enhance disaster preparedness, especially during earthquakes, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said in a press briefing in Malacañang.
The OCD said it has signed agreements with the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines and academic institutions, including the University of the Philippines and other educational organizations.
The OCD is enhancing its partnerships with local civil engineering groups to assist the government in disaster management, it added.
It said the government is working with the private sector and civil society to respond to calamities, reflecting the current global norm in dealing with calamities.
The President rallied local government officials, educators, and parents on 3 April to work more closely to ensure the success of the government’s child development projects.
The President spoke during the ceremonial signing of a joint circular between the DepEd and the DBM on the creation of Child Development Centers (CDC) by LGUs.
In his speech, he stressed the importance of early childhood education in the Philippines, which he said justified the need for setting up CDCs.
According to the President, some barangays nationwide still lack CDC facilities despite the existing legislation.
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on 3 April announced the provisional release of the 17 Filipinos arrested in Qatar for illegal assembly.
The DMW said the President directed the department to secure the immediate release of the 17 Filipinos.
The Qatari authorities provisionally released the Filipinos in two batches. Three minors were immediately released following their arrest with the group. The DMW said they will be allowed to go to their Doha homes pending an investigation.
The President created the Semiconductor and Electronics Industry Advisory Council to strengthen the country’s semiconductor and electronics industry and ensure global competitiveness.
Mr. Marcos issued Administrative Order 31 on 28 March to faccelerate the sector’s growth.
The newly created council will serve as the President’s primary advisory body on the semiconductor and electronics industry’s development, promotion, and competitiveness.
The Philippines is vital to the global semiconductors and electronics packaging value chain, with a five-percent market share worldwide.
The President and other high-ranking executive branch officials enjoy executive privilege and are not required to appear before congressional hearings, according to the PCO.
This was in response to Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa’s complaint about the non-appearance of executive officials during the second Senate hearing on the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte by Interpol.
