Under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the government has demonstrated a strong commitment to the national welfare and resilience through a series of initiatives over the past week.

Highlights of the Chief Executive’s activities included commending the 89-member Philippine Inter-Agency Humanitarian Contingent that delivered over 19,000 pounds of aid to quake-stricken Myanmar, aligning with ASEAN’s “One ASEAN, One Response” initiative.

Concurrently, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) announced the expansion of the Walang Gutom Kitchen and Food STAMP programs in the Visayas, Mindanao and Manila to combat hunger among low-income households, reinforcing Marcos’s goal of eradicating hunger.

As Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin confirmed, Mr. Marcos signed a law extending the Manila Electric Company’s (Meralco) franchise for 25 years until 2053, ensuring stable electricity in support of national development.

Mid-week, the President expressed condolences on the passing of National Artist Nora Aunor and celebrated her over 50-year legacy in film and the arts.

These initiatives, woven with Easter’s ethos of compassion, renewal, and community, highlighted the government’s dedication to uplifting Filipinos through humanitarian aid, economic stability, safety, and cultural reverence.

Through a partnership between Daily Tribune and the Bureau of Communications Services under the Presidential Communications Office, here is how the President’s week went.

14 April

Myanmar humanitarian team lauded

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. expressed the nation’s admiration and gratitude to the 89 members of the Philippine Inter-Agency Humanitarian Contingent that undertook a humanitarian mission to quake-stricken Myanmar.

In a Malacañang press briefing, Presidential Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro conveyed the President’s commendation, praising the team’s courage and commitment.

The humanitarian deployment was part of the “One ASEAN, One Response” initiative, which underscores the importance of regional solidarity and coordinated disaster response among ASEAN member states.

The Philippine team delivered 19,458 pounds (8,844.63 kilograms) of essential humanitarian aid to the people of Myanmar on 28 March following the magnitude-7.7 earthquake that struck the country.

DSWD to expand kitchen, 4Ps

The Department of Social Welfare and Development is set to expand the Walang Gutom Kitchen’s coverage in the Visayas, Mindanao and certain areas of Manila, DSWD Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao announced.

Dumlao said the expansion would speed up the delivery of the government’s anti-hunger measures.

DSWD’s Walang Gutom, or Food Provision through the Strategic Transfer and Alternative Measures Program, is one of the agency’s new flagship programs. Its goal is to reduce the incidence of involuntary hunger experienced by low-income households and to make them productive citizens of the country.

President Marcos has said that “walang gutom means no more hunger.”

15 April

Meralco franchise extended by 25 years

President Marcos signed into law the bill extending the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) franchise for another 25 years, assuring the continued operations of the country’s largest electricity distributor until 2053.

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said the measure was signed on 11 April.

The official copy of the law is expected to be released by the Malacañang Records Office once it is assigned a Republic Act number.

Meralco welcomed the development, recognizing its role in powering the country’s economic growth.

The company said the franchise extension would enable it to carry out long-term infrastructure projects and energy solutions vital to national development.

“This development fortifies our commitment to deliver stable, reliable, and affordable electricity to millions of Filipinos,” Meralco chairman and CEO Manny Pangilinan said.

Supply of P29/kilo rice tripled

An official of the National Food Authority (NFA) said the government tripled the supply of P29 per kilo rice in Kadiwa stores for poor and vulnerable households.

In a Palace press briefing on Tuesday, NFA Administrator Larry Lacson said Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. had ordered an increase in the monthly rice allocation for poor and vulnerable households — from 10 kilos to a maximum of 30 kilos of P29-per-kilo rice.

Lacson said the Department of Agriculture also broadened the reach of its P29/kilo rice program by adding more Kadiwa stores nationwide.

Last year, the DA launched a large-scale trial of the P29/kilo rice program, an initiative spearheaded by President Marcos aimed at providing high-quality rice to 6.9-million “vulnerable households,” comprising around 35 million Filipinos.

Coast Guard tightens port security

As the Holy Week exodus began, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ramped up its security operations in ports and tourist hubs across the country to ensure a safe and smooth travel experience for travelers.

In a Malacañang press briefing, PCG deputy spokesperson Commander Michael John Encina said the agency raised its alert status to “heightened alert” and mobilized 17,000 personnel to conduct pre-departure and resort inspections.

Encina said they also deployed Coast Guard Auxiliary Personnel in Malasakit Help Desks and K-9 units as part of the security measures in ports and resorts. The PCG is conducting the security measures in coordination with the local government units, municipal and city Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices, and coastal barangays.

The PCG has placed its districts, stations and sub-stations on heightened alert from 13 April to 20 April to manage the influx of port passengers.

NEDA lauds rise in OFW February remittances

Personal remittances from overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) grew by 2.6 percent to $3.02 billion in February 2025, up from the $2.95 billion registered in February 2024, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) announced.

The cumulative remittances reached $6.27 billion in January-February 2025, higher by 2.7 percent than the $6.10 billion recorded in January-February 2024, the BSP said on Tuesday.

In a statement, the BSP said both land-based and sea-based workers contributed to the increase in remittances.

Of the personal remittances from OFWs, cash remittances coursed through banks reached $2.72 billion in February 2025, higher by 2.7 percent than the $2.65 billion posted in February 2024.

Phl has world-class medical responders

The Department of Health (DoH) said the Philippines now has a world-class World Health Organization-certified Philippine Emergency Medical Assistance Team that can respond to disasters here and abroad.

A composite medical assistance team, sent by the Philippines to Myanmar following the magnitude-7.7 earthquake that struck the country, was presented to the public during a press briefing in Malacañang. The majority of the team members were from Eastern Visayas.

Herbosa highlighted the Philippines’ swift response, noting that the country deployed its medical team within 48 hours, faster than even Singapore, Southeast Asia’s most developed nation. The team also managed to set up a fully functional field hospital in just six hours.

Streets are safe — PNP

“Our streets are safe,” the Philippine National Police (PNP) declared, citing a significant nationwide drop in crime.

In a Palace press briefing on Tuesday, P/Maj. Gen. Roderick Augustus B. Alba, PNP director for Police Community Relations, addressed growing concerns and public perceptions about rising criminality, assuring the public that the data tells a different story.

Alba emphasized that the PNP’s assessment was grounded on verified crime statistics — not the public’s perception or political rhetoric. He reported a 26-percent drop in crime incidents from January to April 2025 compared to the same period last year.

“Our streets are safe,” Alba stressed, in response to queries about whether it was still safe to travel amid reports of increasing crime.

17 April

National Artist Nora Aunor mourned

President Marcos joined the nation in mourning the passing of National Artist Nora Aunor.

The family of the superstar announced her passing on Wednesday. She was 71.

In his message of condolence, the President said: “I offer my heartfelt condolences to Nora Aunor’s family, friends, and the film industry itself. Let us pray together for the eternal repose of the soul of our beloved National Artist.”

Marcos recalled the extraordinary life of Aunor who real name was Nora Cabaltera Villamayor.

“Throughout her splendid career that spanned more than 50 years, she was our consummate actress, singer and film producer,” the President said.

Code White alert takes effect

The DoH has placed all public hospitals and health facilities on Code White alert to ensure their readiness, together with their personnel, to respond to any health emergencies, notably heat stroke, during the Lenten season.

The status of high readiness started on 13 April and will stay until Easter Sunday.

Based on DoH’s color codes, Code White refers to the readiness of hospitals, particularly general and orthopedic surgeons, anesthesiologists, internists, operating room nurses, ophthalmologists, and otorhinolaryngologists (eye, ear, nose, throat specialists) to respond to emergencies at any time.

Herbosa advised those going outdoors to use sunscreen, remain hydrated and avoid long exposure to the sun and heat.

DoT activates tourist aid centers

The Department of Tourism (DoT) has activated its regional operation centers to ensure proper coordination and oversight of tourism destinations, particularly during the Lenten season, which both local and international tourists are expected to visit.

The operation centers will monitor the major tourist spots to ensure a smooth flow of tourists and manage peak volumes.

To avoid being victimized by scammers, Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco encouraged travelers to book with DoT-accredited establishments.