Presidential week: Bells, pumps, pledges

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. opened the week on 19 October with a commitment to Filipino healthcare workers, telling the Philippine Nurses Association’s national convention in Pasay City that his administration will fill vacant nursing posts and lighten patient loads per nurse.

On Tuesday, Marcos graced the stock market debut of Mynt Inc., the company behind GCash, calling it a landmark for the country’s digital economy and a chance for ordinary Filipinos to build wealth through investing.

Back in Malacañang, he had a telephone conversation with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to prepare for the 49th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and Related Summits in November.

He then flew to Sulu to inaugurate the Sulu Hall of Justice which, he said, would bring judicial services closer to residents and bolster the rule of law in a province long hampered by inadequate court facilities.

The President turned to local governance on Wednesday, leading the 2026 Galing Pook Awards at Malacañang, where 10 programs of Bataan, Valenzuela, Surigao del Norte, Iloilo City, Quezon City, Davao del Norte, Malolos, Lanao del Sur, Baguio and Oriental Mindoro were recognized.

The week closed in Leyte, where Marcos inaugurated the Tugbong Solar Pump Irrigation Project in Kananga, which will irrigate 115 hectares, alongside the Guintigui-an project in Ormoc City, which will serve 70 hectares and 87 farmers.

19 October

Nurses won’t be left behind

The President began his week by vowing to improve working conditions for Filipino nurses, expand career opportunities, and strengthen support for healthcare workers.

At the Philippine Nurses Association Inc. National Annual Convention 2026 in Pasay City, Marcos emphasized the need to fill vacant nursing positions and reduce the number of patients assigned to each nurse.

The President cited the increase in funding for the Health Emergency Allowance from P6.8 billion in 2022 to more than P110 billion in 2026 for public and private healthcare workers.

Honors for PCG chief

Afterwards, the Chief Executive honored outgoing Philippine Coast Guard Commandant, Admiral Ronnie Gil L. Gavan, for his exemplary leadership and more than three decades of dedicated public service, particularly his contributions to strengthening maritime security and emergency response capabilities.

Marcos commended Gavan for leading the organization with professionalism, integrity, and commitment to protecting Filipino lives and the country’s maritime interests.

He also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening the PCG’s operational capabilities, maritime security readiness, and international cooperation to safeguard the country’s maritime interests and sovereign rights.

Envoys present credentials

At Malacañang, the President accepted the credentials of Türkiye Ambassador Kaan Esener and Egypt Ambassador Ihab Ahmed Aboserie Ahmed, as he expressed his desire to strengthen bilateral relations and explore additional areas of cooperation with the two countries.

20 October

GCash debuts at bourse

The President gave the stock market a nudge when he graced the blockbuster stock market debut of Mynt Inc., the company behind GCash, and underscored the growing digital economy and new opportunities for ordinary Filipinos to participate in wealth creation and investment.

He said the event marked not only a major corporate milestone but also a significant step forward for the financial sector.

Marcos noted that digital wallets have transformed from a relatively unfamiliar technology to an essential part of daily life, with GCash now widely used for payments, money transfers, and financial transactions, and evolving to loans, savings, and investment products that have expanded financial access for millions of Filipinos.

Strong partner for development

Back in Malacañang, the President and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi spoke by phone ahead of the 49th Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit and Related Summits in November, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and advancing regional cooperation.

The two leaders discussed preparations for the upcoming summits, which will bring together ASEAN leaders and dialogue partners, to address key regional and international issues.

They also discussed the Asia Zero Emission Community, a Japan-led initiative aimed at promoting clean energy, reducing carbon emissions, supporting sustainable economic growth and strengthening energy security across the region.

Justice for all Filipinos

Marcos then flew to Sulu for the inauguration and turnover of the Sulu Hall of Justice, underscoring the importance of ensuring access to justice for every Filipino, saying the facility would bring judicial services closer to the people and strengthen the rule of law in the province.

The President said the occasion was particularly meaningful for Sulu, where limited judicial facilities have long hampered service delivery, disrupted court operations, delayed case resolutions and placed an additional burden on the people.

21 October

The Chief Executive urged local government units to continue pursuing innovative solutions and building on successful programs that improve communities.

Speaking during the 2026 Galing Pook Awards Ceremony: The Ten Outstanding Local Governance Programs in Malacañang, Marcos led the awarding of the 10 outstanding local governance programs from Bataan, Valenzuela City, Surigao del Norte, Iloilo City, Quezon City, Davao del Norte, City of Malolos, Lanao del Sur, Baguio City and Oriental Mindoro.

The President said the 2026 Galing Pook Awards, on the theme “Islands of Hope: Local Innovations, National Inspiration,” recognize local governments that respond to challenges and find meaningful ways to improve their constituents’ lives.

Health not only for wealthy

In the afternoon, the President convened the Private Sector Advisory Council — Healthcare Sector (PSAC-Healthcare) aimed at lowering healthcare costs for Filipino families, improving access to essential medicines, and expanding healthcare services, particularly in underserved communities.

PSAC-Healthcare highlighted the need to expand PhilHealth benefits, improve medicine availability, and strengthen healthcare facilities, particularly in underserved communities.

22 October

The President held private meetings in Malacañang.

23 October

Sunshine helps grow farms

Marcos highlighted the government’s efforts at expanding solar-powered irrigation systems nationwide to help farmers reduce fuel expenses, increase agricultural productivity and income, and prepare for El Niño.

At the inauguration of the Tugbong Solar Pump Irrigation Project (SPIP) in Barangay Tugbong, Kananga, Leyte, the President said the government is accelerating the development of solar-powered irrigation facilities to provide farmers with a reliable and affordable water supply amid the threat of severe drought and rising fuel prices.

The Tugbong SPIP, one of two solar-powered irrigation projects in Leyte, will irrigate 115 hectares of rice fields in Barangays Tugbong and Sto. Niño in Kananga. The other facility, the Guintigui-an Solar Pump Irrigation Project in Ormoc City, will serve 70 hectares of farmland and benefit 87 farmers.

President Marcos said solar-powered irrigation would help farmers save about P20,000 in diesel costs, allowing them to use the savings for their families and other farming needs.