President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has prioritized energy security and infrastructure development to fire up economic growth.

The President indicated strong support for the Malampaya Phase 4 drilling operations, a critical initiative to tap new gas reserves.

Additionally, he approved a proposed P6.793-trillion budget for 2026 focusing on economic growth and improving Filipinos’ quality of life, particularly through enhanced education.

Marcos also advanced public transportation by approving the North-South Commuter Railway under a public-private partnership and announced the operational start of the Metro Manila Subway by 2028, alongside the deployment of long-delayed Dalian trains for MRT-3.

15 July

Cheap power via Malampaya Phase 4

President Marcos conveyed his administration’s full support for the Malampaya Phase 4 drilling operations, calling the project critical to ensuring an affordable and stable power supply for millions of Filipinos.

In a Facebook post, Marcos emphasized the urgency of tapping new gas reserves as the resources in the Malampaya gas field — which currently supplies about 20 percent of Luzon’s power — continue to dwindle.

“Phase IV drilling is now underway to tap new wells and keep the power flowing so our people will have cheaper and reliable electricity,” the President said.

No more military, police advisers

The President has abolished the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Military and Police Affairs (OPAMPA) as part of the reorganization of the Office of the President’s administrative structure.

Under Executive Order 89 signed by Marcos on 11 July, the OPAMPA was abolished, consistent with the streamlining and rightsizing policy of the administration.

Marcos OKs proposed P6.793-T 2026 budget

The President approved the proposed P6.793-trillion budget for 2026, Malacañang announced, noting that the spending plan will prioritize both economic growth and improving the quality of life of Filipinos.

Marcos approved the budget “to raise the quality of education and ease the lives of Filipinos” during a Cabinet meeting, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said.

16 July

Seniors, PWDs get 50% train fare discount

The President launched a 50-percent fare discount for senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Metro Manila’s train systems, calling it a concrete move to support vulnerable sectors with limited incomes.

The new fare discount rates cover Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) and Light Rail Transit (LRT) Lines 1 and 2. It increases the fare discount by 30 percent from the statutory discount of 20 percent for senior citizens and PWDs.

Dalian trains finally in use

President Marcos announced the long-awaited deployment of the Dalian trains at the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) 3, nearly a decade after the government purchased the trains.

“This is the first day these Dalian trains are finally in service. Since they were purchased, they hadn’t been used,” Marcos said as a Dalian train pulled up at the MRT-3 Santolan-Annapolis Station.

Subway stations open by 2028

The Chief Executive expressed optimism the Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP) will be partially operational by 2028.

After inspecting the Camp Aguinaldo station in Quezon City, Marcos said he was “happy” to see the progress of the construction work on the MMSP.

“I can say that they are doing a great job. I hope we can finish it until Valenzuela. Maybe we can finish it, 2028. Maybe it can be inaugurated by 2028,” he said.

NSCR okayed under PPP

The Economy and Development Council, chaired by President Marcos, approved the North-South Commuter Railway operations and maintenance project under a public-private partnership (PPP).

In a statement, the Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DEPDev) said the NSCR is one of the administration’s flagship infrastructure projects. It aims to modernize public transportation and improve regional connectivity across Luzon.

17 July

Task Force Diwalwal bolstered

Executive Order (EO) 88 strengthened National Task Force Diwalwal which oversees mining operations in the Diwalwal Mineral Reservation Area (DMRA), an 81-hectare gold-rich zone in Monkayo, Davao de Oro.

EO 88, inked by Marcos on 4 July, designated the Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) as the new task force chairperson.

Energy ace takes ERC helm

Veteran energy lawyer Francis Saturnino Juan was appointed chairperson of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), effective 8 August, following the resignation of Monalisa Dimalanta.

The announcement was made by Palace Press Officer Claire Castro in a Malacañang briefing.

OVP’s ‘meaningful’ suggestions welcome

“Meaningful” suggestions that may come from the Office of the Vice President (OVP) will be considered, Malacañang said.

This after OVP spokesperson Ruth Castelo said Wednesday that keeping Vice President Sara Duterte out of the loop and not providing funds for her projects and programs is “a great disservice to the country.”

“If there is any meaningful, good suggestion that comes from the OVP, the President does not reject it and the door is not closed to the Vice President,” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said.

Air defenses beefed up

The administration is committed to improving the country’s air defenses, as evidenced by the latest procurement of advanced aircraft for the Philippine Air Force (PAF) in June.

Speaking during the PAF’s 78th anniversary on 1 July, Marcos hailed the service for its crucial role in national security, disaster response, and law enforcement and promised sustained government support to modernize it amid the evolving regional threats and internal challenges.

“The government will exert all efforts to provide the PAF with the best possible equipment, training, and facilities,” Marcos said in his speech.

Population hits 112.7M

Filipinos numbered 112,729,484 as of 1 July 2024, according to the 2024 Census of Population (POPCEN), which Mr. Marcos has declared official.

Marcos issued Proclamation 973 directing the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), in coordination with the Presidential Communications Office, to disseminate the population data by province, city/municipality, and barangay to all government agencies and offices concerned.

The census was conducted by the PSA from July to September 2024, using 1 July 2024 as the reference date, according to the proclamation signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on 11 July.

Guimaras, Quezon, Albay sites declared protected areas

Three measures were signed by the President declaring parcels of land in Guimaras, Quezon and Albay provinces as protected areas.

Republic Acts 12225, 12226 and 12227 adding parcels of land in Nueva Valencia, Guimaras; San Andres, Quezon; and Polangui and Oas towns and Ligao and Tabaco cities, all in Albay, to the list of areas protected under the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) were signed on 9 July.

18 July

Food packs readied

President Marcos inspected the preparation of food packs to be distributed in areas affected by the onslaught of tropical storm “Crising.”

Marcos, accompanied by his son William Vincent, went to the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s National Resource Operations Center in Pasay City to check on the food packs to be sent to Crising-hit areas. DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian accompanied Marcos during the inspection.

The DSWD prepositioned more than three million family food packs in 935 storage hubs nationwide.

Greater security, economic ties eyed

The Chief Executive will express his intent for “greater” security and economic relations between the Philippines and the United States during his trip to Washington, D.C. from 20 to 22 July, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.

“The purpose of this visit is to further strengthen the Philippines-United States alliance, to proactively engage the US in all aspects of the relations, and seize opportunities for greater security and economic cooperation,” DFA Assistant Secretary for American Affairs Raquel Solano said.

PBBM to pursue more programs for elderly — Palace

More programs that will benefit the elderly will be unveiled soon, Malacañang said.

“As far as we know, there are also many programs for senior citizens,” Palace Press Officer Castro said when asked to react to criticism on the supposed failure of the government to provide for the needs of the elderly.

She cited the recent launch of a 50-percent fare discount for senior citizens in Metro Manila’s train systems.

AFP: Modernization push shows strong will

The President demonstrated “strong political will” in his continued support for the ongoing modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), military spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said.

Padilla said Marcos’ commitment to the AFP modernization program “is both clear and consistent.”

“His administration has demonstrated strong political will in pushing for a credible defense posture by supporting capability upgrades, personnel development, and sustained funding for the AFP’s modernization goals,” she said.

PLLO shuffled; adviser post removed

Executive Order 90 reorganized the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office (PLLO) to streamline and rationalize its functions consistent with the administration’s right-sizing policy.

According to the EO signed by President Marcos on 16 July, the PLLO will now be under the supervision and control of the Office of the Executive Secretary as one of the delivery units of the Office of the President.

The order also abolished the position of the Presidential Adviser on Legislative Affairs.