President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. swiftly responded to the 7.4-magnitude earthquake in Davao, releasing P298 million in aid to the Davao and Caraga regions as they prepared for aftershocks.

He also advanced his zero-hunger goal last week by launching the REFUEL Project, expanding the Walang Gutom Program to reach 750,000 beneficiaries, and reducing hunger from 48.7 percent to 41.5 percent.

Marcos capped the week by meeting with Manila Mayor Isko Moreno to plan legacy projects, including housing, bridges, and the North-South Commuter Railway, alongside boosting Manila’s water infrastructure with an MWSS pipe-laying project.

13 October

Visit to quake-hit Davao

After a magnitude-7.4 earthquake hit Davao last week, President Marcos immediately sent aid to help the region recover and to prepare for expected aftershocks.

Marcos ordered the release of P298 million in financial assistance to local government units in the Davao and Caraga regions.

Davao Oriental received P50 million; the municipalities of Manay, Banaybanay, and Lupon received P15 million each; the City of Mati and the municipalities of Tarragona, Baganga, Boston, and Cateel received P10 million each; Caraga and San Isidro received P5 million each; and Governor Generoso got P3 million.

14 October

Boosting irrigation in Cagayan

Aiming for a sustained rice supply in the country, President Marcos led the inauguration of the Union Water impounding dam in Claveria, Cagayan, which is designed to improve irrigation in farmlands in the area. It is also expected to help mitigate floods during heavy storms.

With a cost of P500 million, the Union Dam was constructed in just 14 months. Marcos was in awe that a large-scale project, which involved flood control, was possible under his term.

Located across the Cabicungan River in Barangays Union and Cadcadir, the dam is expected to support 1,050 hectares of farmland, benefitting more than 1,000 farmers.

Its design includes slope protection and drainage systems to minimize river siltation and slope erosion, which can prevent flooding in agricultural areas.

‘Ugnayan’ with farmers

Afterwards, the Chief Executive engaged with Cagayan farmers, learning of their concerns and addressing their needs.

In their conversations, he discussed the steps being taken by the government to assist farmers, such as the programs of the Department of Agriculture and the National Food Authority to increase their purchase of palay at a higher cost than traders.

Marcos also shared the DA’s move to reduce documentary requirements for seedlings, enhancing the planting and harvest of agricultural products. In addition, the President assured that seeds would be delivered on time, including aid for farmers in the next planting season.

Camalaniugan bridge checked

Still in Cagayan, Marcos inspected the Camalaniugan Bridge as construction of the structure nears completion.

The President couldn’t help but express his awe at the bridge, calling it “one of the most beautiful bridges that we have created in the Philippines. I’m happy to note that it was done well in time and it was done properly.”

The Camalaniugan Bridge is an alternate route to the Magapit Suspension Bridge, the only bridge that crosses the Cagayan River in northern Cagayan. Once completed, the bridge will reduce travel time from Camalaniugan to Aparri Port in just 20 minutes.

New Belgium, UK envoys welcomed

Marcos welcomed the new ambassadors from Belgium and the United Kingdom as they presented their credentials at Malacañang.

The President received Ambassador Vladislava Iordanova of Belgium and Ambassador Sarah Hulton of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Iordanova affirmed her commitment to deepen the longstanding friendship and cooperation between Belgium and the Philippines.

Hulton, for her part, said, “It is a great honor that I return to the Philippines after nearly 20 years, with a deep appreciation for our enduring friendship between our countries. We are proud to work alongside your government in advancing growth, climate, and security priorities.”

Croatia foreign minister visits

The President welcomed Croatian Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman to Malacañang, marking a historic event.

It is the first visit of a Croatian foreign minister to the Philippines since the two countries forged diplomatic relations more than 30 years ago.

“Welcome to the Philippines, especially at this very important time. We celebrate our long relationship and now you have the opening of your office here,” he said.

15 October

Facing the press

Marcos administered the oath of office to officials of the media groups covering him, namely, the Malacañang Press Corps, Malacañang Cameramen Association, and the Presidential Photojournalists Association.

Strengthening his relationship with the media, Marcos addressed the current pressing issues being faced by his administration.

Bicam will be livestreamed

In a historic first, the President announced that both houses of Congress agreed to livestream the closed-door bicameral conference, as the proposed 2026 national budget came under intense scrutiny following his revelation of flood control anomalies.

“We will livestream the entire process so that if there are questionable, insertions or additions or all that, it will be clear who moved, who made those changes or who proposed those changes so the people will know,” Marcos said.

He said there would also be no more small committees in the bicam.

He added he is confident he will not have to veto any items in the General Appropriations Bill as he was involved in the creation of the National Expenditure Program.

SALN open for all to see

Heeding the call of the Ombudsman and reaffirming his position on transparency, the President said he will be releasing his Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) to parties who will request it.

He pointed out that making the SALN accessible was an established rule. “We will follow the old rules. These old rules were suspended in the last administration.”

He said he will enjoin the Cabinet to make their SALNs available.

BBM: Opposition wants me out

Understanding that the investigation into anomalies in public infrastructure projects may lead to Malacañang, President Bongbong Marcos said he is ready to be investigated as he has nothing to hide. He said the opposition wants him out of office.

“The opposition would love to bring me into this, to include me in all of this. But that’s politics. That has nothing to do with corruption; that has to do with politics,” he said. “They want to remove me. That’s it. That’s why they will do whatever it is they are doing.”

He said everybody that needs to be investigated will be investigated.

“We will investigate, we will investigate everybody. We’ll follow the evidence. And wherever that leads is not something that we try to direct or influence,” he added.

Still on solid ground

Despite growing public dissatisfaction with the corruption and the seemingly “delayed” response to hold those responsible to account, Marcos said the administration remains on solid ground.

The President made the statement after growing concerns that members of the military might turn against him, similar to the situation his father faced at the end of his term.

Marcos noted that it is “dangerous” to be complacent and say everything is okay, given the state of the country which is deeply enmeshed in corruption issues.

“If there’s a complaint, we’re open. Go ahead and complain; tell us. If it’s something that we have to attend to, because we try to listen to everyone,” he said.

16 October

Acorda named PAOCC Chief

President Marcos has named former Philippine National Police Chief Benjamin Acorda Jr. the new head of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), replacing Gilbert Cruz. Acorda holds the title of Executive Director with the rank of Undersecretary.

With the same assignment but a different title, Acorda is familiar with his new duties, but this time he will have a bigger mission — to run after those engaged in organized crime, which has grown throughout the years, beginning with the remnants of the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations.

Executive Order 295 created the PAOCC which is mandated to investigate and prosecute criminal syndicates and corrupt officials. Its functions include conducting intelligence operations and developing anti-crime action plans.

Fewer empty stomachs by year’s end

Getting closer to his dream of achieving zero hunger by the time he steps down, President Marcos launched the Reducing Food Insecurity and Undernutrition with Electronic Vouchers (REFUEL) Project. The initiative aims to expand the Walang Gutom Program (WGP), which is expected to double the number of its beneficiaries from 300,000 to 600,000, and later 750,000.

Citing Social Weather Stations data, Marcos said the WGP has helped the government lower the number of hungry Filipinos from 48.7 percent to 41.5 percent. Under the WGP, family beneficiaries receive P3,000 electronic food credits per month through an electronic benefit transfer. This can be used at accredited partner retailers to purchase essential food items.

The REFUEL project costs P74 billion and is supported by the Asian Development Bank, the Agence Française de Développement, and the OPEC Fund.

17 October

Modular homes for earthquake evacuees

To give earthquake victims in Cebu a temporary home, the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) deployed modular shelter units (MSUs). This later turned into the Bayanihan Village.

Marcos inspected the evacuation sites anew to personally ensure that government aid has reached its intended beneficiaries and to check on their current situation.

The temporary small community was formed in just a week through the coordinated efforts of the Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, Philippine Coast Guard, Office of Civil Defense, as well as the private sector.

Forty-five MSUs were deployed in Barangay Poblacion in San Remigio for families who came from areas classified as totally damaged and designated as no-build zones.

The DHSUD is providing at least 150 modular shelter units for earthquake-displaced families in the three hardest-hit areas in Cebu, namely, Daanbantayan, San Remigio and Bogo City.

Other displaced families are currently staying in tent cities established by the government and the Philippine Red Cross.

Legacy projects soon in Manila

The President met with Manila Mayor Isko Moreno to discuss possible collaboration between the national government and the capital city in legacy projects such as housing, bridges, transportation, and urban development plans.

Some of the ongoing national projects in the city are the North and South Harbor Bridge, the retrofitting of the Lambingan Bridge, and the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR). The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) pipe-laying project in Pandacan is expected to strengthen the water supply in the area.

Other projects the city and the administration are eyeing are the Greater Metro Manila Waterways Cleaning and Clearing Operations and the Bayanihan sa Estero Program.

Social initiatives such as infrastructure project monitoring, reaching out to families in street situations and ensuring their inclusion in the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and DSWD programs, as well as conducting information campaigns for major national government programs, including the National Immunization Program and National ID registration, were also discussed.