It is now 2025, exactly three years since he ascended the ladder of political power. Amid controversies, political war, power play struggle, and opposing opinions in the outside world, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has remained consistent in his vision of a Bagong Pilipinas (New Philippines), which is to uplift Filipino lives, help the poor, advance the country’s infrastructure and maintain a strong position in the global stage as a friend to all and an enemy to none.

Despite having the Marcos family legacy resting on his shoulders, Bongbong wants to have a name for himself, a direct confrontation to criticisms on his upbringing and having a better legacy than his father.

To run his government better, he has enlisted names of the past, the present, and the future to manage key sectors of his government such as Agriculture, Transportation, Information and Communications Technology, Tourism, Finance, Economy and Education.

Marcos carefully assigned them to perform a mandate: make Filipino lives better. Their expertise was utilized, making informed decisions, backed by evidence and data. But, not all projects — however full of hope they may be, got to see the light of day due to bureaucracy.

Raising the marginalized

Marcos’ vision is in order to have a Bagong Pilipinas, the country’s citizens must have a Bagong Pilipino, capable of promoting the Philippines.

Going down to the locals, Marcos put his focus on the marginalized sector. Armed with financial aid and social programs, the President seeks to empower neglected industries, reviving the remnants of local communities once defined by the Marcos Sr. era such as strong agriculture and fisheries.

Keeping his campaign promise of a P20 per kilo rice, Marcos launched the Benteng Bigas Meron Na program to free Filipinos from expensive rice – a move considered by critics to be a last resort to put the election in the favor of the administration considering the timing of the implementation, which was in May.

Currently, indigents, senior citizens, solo parents, persons with disabilities, and minimum wage earners can avail of the cheap rice from KADIWA markets.

In the same breath, the government invites farmers to directly sell their Palay to the National Food Authority and skip the traders who buy them at low price.