In a highly charged gathering of governors and mayors that raised some detractors’ eyebrows, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. started his week giving funds to local government units and inspecting a project in Cebu intended for future calamity victims.

His activities last week centered on bolstering local governance and disaster preparedness, beginning on 23 February with a high profile gathering of governors and mayors at Malacañang for the launch of the “Sa Bagong Pilipinas, Bawat Bayan Makikinabang” program.

Its highlight was the presence of opposition figure Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo alongside ruling party officials.

Marcos ordered the release of the P57.8-billion Local Government Support Fund (LGSF), the largest allocation in history and P34 billion higher from prior years. This initiative streamlines funding for LGU projects such as farm-to-market roads, schools, renewable energy and evacuation centers, bypassing bureaucratic delays to ensure that faster, more transparent aid reaches communities.

The gathering underscored Marcos’ push for non-partisan support, with the President declaring that national assistance carries “no political colors” and must benefit every LGU based on local needs.

Midweek, Marcos shifted his focus to Cebu province, inspecting and inaugurating projects explicitly tailored for social welfare and future calamity victims.

At the Pag-Abot Processing Center in Liloan, he reviewed the holistic aid for street dwellers, encompassing health services, livelihood training, psychosocial support, temporary housing and reintegration programs run by the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

By equipping LGUs with direct resources and enhancing relief infrastructure, the week reinforced proactive governance against recurring calamities while fostering accountability through public monitoring. The activities drew praise from reformist mayors but highlighted ongoing debates over political inclusivity and the efficiency of funds.

23 February

Strengthening LGUs’ funding

At an event at Malacañang, President Marcos announced the expansion of the LGSF to bolster priority programs, including additional rice assistance, health facility enhancements, strengthened disaster preparedness initiatives, and improvements to critical infrastructure such as energy and water supply systems.

The launch of “Sa Bagong Pilipinas, Bawat Bayan Makikinabang” initiative reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring that every centavo of public funds is spent wisely on programs that directly benefit the people.

The event was attended by the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines, including his main rival in the 2022 polls, Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo and Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, along with other city and municipal officials.

With almost P58 billion in LGSF allocation for 2026, the President said over five million families will receive 60 kilos of rice assistance, easing food insecurity.

24 February

Farm yields raised

The modern Command Center of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) in Quezon City was presented to the Chief Executive. The new facility aims to improve farm yields and prevent further agricultural destruction.

The President also attended the 2026 General Assembly of the National Confederation of Irrigators Association at NIA Headquarters in Diliman, Quezon City, where he thanked the association for its continued support for the government and its programs.

The President emphasized that the agriculture sector would improve further if all those involved supported one another with dedication and discipline.

The NIA Command Center was established under the agency’s modernization and digital transformation initiatives to enable faster access to information, improve coordination, and strengthen disaster preparedness through the Systematized Telemetry Over Remote Monitoring centralized monitoring system.

Some P300 billion in agriculture funding would be used to buy seeds, build farm-to-market roads, construct post-harvest facilities, purchase cold-storage facilities and fertilizers, and support other programs for the benefit of farmers.

Economics track record a must

Mr. Marcos rushed to the ASEAN Editors and Economic Opinion Leaders Forum at the Fairmont Hotel in Makati City where he said that the country’s next leader must have a strong grasp of economics, stressing that sound economic understanding is essential to creating jobs, keeping inflation in check, and ensuring a stable and sufficient food supply.

Beyond economic management, the President stressed the importance of nation-building. He said the country needs leaders who are not driven solely by politics, but by a sincere desire to make the Philippines better.

Genuine love for the country and its people must be coupled with competence and the ability to translate vision into action, he said, acknowledging that while many capable individuals serve in government, leadership at the highest level requires experience, credibility and public trust.

25 February

Pacman honored

The President said he was considering some people as potential successors but declined to name them, adding that he was not endorsing anyone at this time.

Capping the day, Marcos honored former Senator Manny Pacquiao as a boxing legend and a true champion of the Filipino spirit during the handover of the fighter’s memorabilia to the National Sports Museum in Pasig City.

He highlighted Pacquiao’s illustrious boxing career and his role in bringing pride and unity to Filipinos both at home and abroad. He recalled how communities would pause to watch Pacquiao’s fights and how his victories became shared moments of national pride.

26 February

Cebu sojourn

Leading the launch of the Pag-Abot Processing Center in Cebu, President Marcos reaffirmed the government’s commitment to helping people living on the streets by providing health services, livelihood assistance, psychosocial support, food, clothing, temporary housing, and other interventions to improve their lives.

In Cebu, the Department of Social Welfare and Development implemented the Pag-Abot Program to help families and individuals in street situations.

The program provides health services, food, clothing, psychosocial and livelihood support, temporary housing, and family reintegration to help beneficiaries move toward stable and dignified lives.

Disaster resilience hub checked

The President visited the newly upgraded Visayas Disaster Resource Center (VDRC) in Mandaue City, Cebu, which enables the national government to provide food packs and other aid directly to the people, strengthening disaster response and preparedness across the Visayas and Mindanao.

The P117-million upgrade of VDRC’s Mechanized Production System can produce up to 30,000 family food packs per eight-hour shift, tripling its previous capacity.

The President said the five new MPS lines were designed and built specifically for the Philippines. The system not only accelerates production but uses machine-operated vacuum sealing to extend the shelf life of food packs.

Ample relief goods

The President said the Visayas Disaster Resource Center currently has four million food packs in storage, ready for distribution, but will continue production until it reaches over five million FFPs. He said food packs nearing expiration will be distributed for free to those in need.

The Visayas hub complements the services provided by the Luzon Disaster Resource Center in Pasay City. While a temporary hub operates in Mindanao, the President announced plans to construct a permanent Mindanao Disaster Resource Center in Butuan City.

Enhanced ties sought

President Marcos expressed optimism about establishing closer ties with Slovakia, Papua New Guinea, and the Lao People’s Democratic Republic after the countries’ new ambassadors presented their credentials at Malacañang.

The ambassadors are Stephen Pokanis of Papua New Guinea, Miloš Koterec of Slovakia and Thiphasone Sengsourinha of Lao PDR.

He welcomed Koterec’s appointment as Slovakia’s first resident ambassador to the Philippines, stressing the strong potential for expanded cooperation in a wide range of activities and areas.