BUSAN, South Korea — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday vowed to “cleanse the bureaucracy” and enforce transparency across all government agencies, stressing that clean governance is the key to building a fair and competitive economy, as he departed Manila for the 32nd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders Meeting here.

Speaking before his flight to Busan, Marcos said his administration is determined to curb corruption by ensuring that public funds are spent with discipline and accountability.

“We continue to cleanse our bureaucracy of corruption because only a transparent government can build a fair economy,” he said. “When funds are protected and spent with discipline, prices ease, opportunities grow, and communities thrive.”

Marcos cited the Department of Public Works and Highways’ new pricing policy, which aligns project costs with real market rates and has reduced inflated expenses by as much as 50 percent. He said the reform would ensure quality infrastructure while eliminating opportunities for corruption.

“The quality of what we build will not be compromised — the only thing weakened will be corruption,” he said.

The President ordered all government agencies to adopt similar cost-adjustment measures as part of a sweeping effort to curb corruption and ensure the proper use of public funds. 

He made special mention of the Departments of Education, Agriculture, Health, Interior and Local Government, and Transportation, and the National Irrigation Administration.

Marcos said the move to bring down infrastructure costs in 2026 — including for farm-to-market roads, irrigation systems, classrooms, and hospitals — would save the government an estimated P30 billion to P45 billion, with the savings redirected to socio-economic programs.

“Last 25 October, this administration renewed a promise that guides all our actions: to guard every peso entrusted to us and to return it to our people in the form of progress they can see and feel,” he said.

He emphasized that cost reductions will not come at the expense of quality, noting that DPWH projects were now being aligned with actual market prices.

“Let me be clear. The quality of what we build will not be compromised. The only thing weakened will be corruption. This is the accountability our citizens deserve,” he said.

Marcos said a transparent and disciplined government is essential to maintaining investor confidence and ensuring that economic growth translates to real benefits for Filipinos.

“A government that honors the public trust, a nation that stands firm on integrity — this is our promise — and real change for Filipinos today and for generations to come,” he said.

APEC agenda: digital inclusion, regional ties

The President will attend the APEC summit in Gyeongju from 31 October to 1 November upon the invitation of South Korea President Lee Jae-myung. The summit, with the theme, “Building a Sustainable Tomorrow: Connect. Innovate. Prosper,” will focus on sustainable growth, digital transformation, and regional connectivity.

Marcos said he will highlight the Philippines’ digital transformation strategy during the APEC CEO Summit, emphasizing innovation, technology adoption, and inclusive access to digital and financial services. He also plans to meet with South Korean business leaders to attract investments and promote trade, and to meet the Filipino community in Busan.

Marcos noted that the meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping before APEC will influence discussions at the summit, saying that any agreement between the two economic powers will have global effects.

“The world is watching because this is the source of the largest shock that has entered the world trade system,” he said. “The agreements between the two largest economies will certainly affect every single citizen of the world.”

The President is also scheduled to honor the 7,420 Filipino soldiers who fought in the Korean War with a wreath-laying and tree-planting ceremony at the United Nations Memorial Cemetery.