The Philippines will open more embassies in different parts of the world as part of the country’s independent foreign policy, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said on Saturday.

Speaking before the members of the diplomatic corps during the Vin D’Honneur in Malacanang, President Marcos said that through the government’s independent foreign policy, his administration broadened and strengthened its diplomatic reach and engagements with the world.

“Last year, we opened four Embassies in Europe and in Latin America. This year, we will be opening four more Foreign Service Posts in North America, in Asia, and the Pacific. And by the end of 2025, we will have 102 Posts, effectively widening our reach globally,” he said in his toast remarks.

“We are poised to establish more down the road. We welcomed the opening of some Embassies in Manila in 2024, such as Bahrain and Slovenia, and are eager to welcome new foreign missions in the years to come, such as from Central Asia.”

 The President said he introduced the Philippines to the world and jumpstarted meaningful, concrete, and mutually beneficial partnerships that drive growth for the country in the 21st century economy.

“A great deal has transpired in the last two and a half years,” he said.

“The Philippines has since embarked on a diplomatic agenda that leverages international partnerships, which have translated to increased bilateral engagements and cooperation with traditional partners and new allies in key economic sectors and security areas.”

This has resulted, he noted, in a vibrant exchange of high-level visits of officials from many countries, as well as several outgoing visits of Philippine officials. |PND

The diplomatic corps accredited in the Philippines expressed optimism on Saturday evening regarding the country’s economic prospects under the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

Speaking on behalf of the diplomatic corps, Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines, Archbishop Charles Brown III, highlighted the country’s economic performance under the Marcos administration as a good reason to be hopeful.

“The diplomatic corps congratulates the government for the encouraging economic figures recently released on inflation, economic growth, and employment, mentioned by you, Mr. President in your speech, and these areas are a good reason to be hopeful about the future economic prospects of the country,” Brown said.

Brown was one of the guests during the Vin d’Honneur at the Malacañan Palace on Saturday. He also underscored the significance of the Bangsamoro Peace Process, calling it a “viable path to peace, security and prosperity” of the people of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

He also emphasized the importance of everyone’s commitment to truthfulness, balance, and fairness in navigating divergent opinions on social issues.

“For all of us, men and women serving the government and, in the diplomacy, our mission is to help guide a course of human events in a path that leads to peace, prosperity and security for all. That is only possible when there is communication—the authentic and respectful exchange of ideas and proposals and continuous dialogue,” he said.

Before concluding his speech, Brown commended the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) for their warm and thoughtful engagement with the Philippine-accredited diplomatic corps. |PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Saturday asked for the support of the diplomatic corps and the governments they represent for the country’s non-permanent United Nations Security Council (UNSC) seat bid aimed at further strengthening multilateralism at the global stage.

In his toast remarks during the Vin D’Honneur in Malacanang, President Marcos said the Philippines candidature stands on the Philippines’ rich experience in building peace, forging consensus, and finding new paths for cooperation.

This is highlighted, he pointed out, by the country’s unfaltering contribution to UN Peacekeeping Operations over the past 60 years, deploying over 14,000 troops in 21 UN peacekeeping operations and special political missions.

“Our candidature is consistent with our long-held view that we need to further strengthen multilateralism through efforts that will reform the Security Council and revitalize the General Assembly,” he told the members of the diplomatic corps during the event.

“I take this opportunity anew to convey to your respective governments our earnest request for your support to our UNSC bid, and we hope for your support when the time comes when we are indeed sitting as a member of the Security Council.”

The Philippines is running for a non-permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council for the term 2027-2028.

Concluding his remarks, he expressed gratitude to the members of the diplomatic corps for being able partners and for supporting the government in its various social and economic programs for the Filipino people. |PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. expressed optimism on Saturday that the country could hit this year the gross national income (GNI) per capita range set by the World Bank for it to reach upper middle-income country (UMIC) status.

“With strong macroeconomic fundamentals, we are confident that the country will be able to hit this year the GNI per capita range set by the World Bank to reach upper middle-income country (UMIC) status, coming off from an all-time high record registered in 2023 to the tune of USD 4,335 or PHP 241,165.00,” President Marcos said in his toast remarks during the Vin D’Honneur in Malacanang.

“Looking forward, this Government is committed to accelerating infrastructure investments, enhancing the ease of doing business, and boosting national competitiveness. These will support businesses, attract foreign investments, and spur higher economic growth.”

The President also touted the Philippines’ economic performance last year, describing it as a banner year for the country, with the economy remaining among the strongest in Asia by expanding 5.8 percent for the first three quarters in 2024.

The country’s revenue collection last year is about PhP4.42 trillion, accounting for 16.7 percent of gross domestic product (GDP), the highest in the last 27 years since 1997, he said.

And with prudent and transparent debt management, the Philippines scored the highest in debt transparency among the 50 countries surveyed by the Institute of International Finance in 2024.

At the same time, the President said the Philippines also earned last year its first-ever credit rating upgrade of “A minus with stable outlook” from Rating and Investment Information, Inc. (R&I), and an “upgrade of outlook to positive” from S&P Global Ratings. These upgrades made the country more attractive to investors, helping lower borrowing costs for government and businesses.

The Philippines’ unemployment rate also dropped to 4.0 percent, well below the full year target range of 4.4 percent to 4.7 percent owing to the sustained strength of the country’s labor market, he noted. |PND

A social welfare official is optimistic the government can achieve single-digit poverty level by 2028 through the current anti-poverty initiatives of the Marcos administration.

In a news forum in Quezon City, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Undersecretary Edu Punay said the goal is attainable within three years given the development programs of the state.

“Yes, we’re almost halfway the administration and the national government is targeting that we become a middle-income country,” Punay said.

“So, one of the requirements ay iyon hinahabol namin sa DSWD na single digit poverty level,” he said.

“Upon consultation and a thorough review of that data and analytics, statistics – this is possible within the administration. By 2028, talagang kaya po nating ibaba sa single-digit ang poverty level,” he said.

Such view is supported by the government’s developmental partners such as the World Bank (WB), Asian Development Bank (ADB), and World Food Program (WFP), Punay added.

The National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) earlier said the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is on track to implementing the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2023-2028. |PND

The administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. made inroads in addressing involuntary hunger and malnutrition by serving last year 300,000 Filipinos out of the one-million target under the “Walang Gutom Food Stamp Program,” a social welfare official said on Saturday.

The Marcos administration introduced the program in 2023. It provides PhP3,000 monthly food credits for food-poor Filipinos nationwide.

“We’re scaling it up, last year we already on-boarded 300,000 out of the one-million target so tuluy-tuloy iyon,” Department of Social Welfare and Development Undersecretary Edu Punay said in a news forum in Quezon City.

“Target noon is to address involuntary hunger talaga, iyong mga kababayan nating mahihirap, pinakamahihirap na hindi kumakain nang sapat sa isang araw – ibig sabihin, kumakain once or twice a day lang, hindi kumpleto iyong kanilang pagkain,” he added.

“And so, the government’s intervention is to provide meal, meal for entire month – one meal per day for one month dito sa mga pamilyang ating na-assess as food-poor,” Punay said.

According to Punay, the DSWD will be serving another 300,000 beneficiaries this year and 400,000 more in 2026 to complete DSWD’s target.

Punay said the agency also launched last month the Walang Gutom Kitchen, the government’s first-ever food bank/soup kitchen collaboration with the private sector that provides hot meals to hungry people on the streets.

The partnership involves the “Kain Tayo Pilipinas,” an organization of private companies with common corporate social responsibility programs to provide food assistance to the poor.

The program targets Families and Individuals in Street Situation (FISS). It also helps low-income construction workers, employees and residents lacking food allocation.

“Anyone na basta nagugutom – mayroon din iyong mga construction worker na mga low income, walang pambili ng pagkain, iyong mga empleyadong low income, mga residente na walang pambili ng pagkain. They can just walk in there. Open iyong kitchen to everyone na nagugutom,” Punay said. |PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. joined Filipino Catholics in  celebrating the Feast of the Black Nazarene.

In his message, President Marcos cited the observance as one of the “greatest reflections of the depth of Filipino devotion.”

“As thousands walk barefoot in prayer and sacrifice, we are reminded that no burden is too heavy when carried with faith,” the President said.

“May this day inspire us to care for one another and hold firm in the belief that our better days are ahead,” he added. | PND

Reinforcing the administration’s commitment to safeguarding the welfare of Filipino seafarers, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. witnessed the signing of the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers on Wednesday, three months after the law’s enactment.

Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac and Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) Administrator Sonia Malaluan signed the IRR.

In his speech, President Marcos highlighted key features of the IRR, including the establishment of One-Stop Shop Centers for Seafarers and provisions ensuring fair medical treatment and access to free legal representation.

“Para sa mga kababaihan sa maritime industry, ang IRR na ito ay ilan lamang sa mga paraan para kayo ay maprotektahan at mapahalagahan. Sinisiguro ng Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers at IRR nito ang inyong mga karapatan laban sa diskriminasyon at pananakot,” President Marcos said.

“Ang hakbang na ito ay hindi lamang nagbubukas ng pagkakataon sa industriya, ito rin ay sumasalamin sa ating dedikasyon sa mas progresibo at mas pantay na patakaran sa industriya ng maritime,” he added.

The President emphasized the IRR “envisions a well-prepared and competitive maritime workforce” by enhancing access to advanced training and requiring maritime education institutions to adopt cutting-edge facilities, equipping seafarers and cadets to compete globally.

“Beyond compliance with international standards, these efforts also secure the future of our seafarers in a rapidly evolving industry. These provisions are part of a holistic framework designed to uplift the lives of Filipino seafarers and their families,” he added.

President Marcos urged the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the MARINA, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the DMW and other relevant agencies to ensure the immediate implementation of the IRR.

The Chief Executive also urged strict compliance among stakeholders, assist seafarers in maximizing the law’s benefits, and guarantee that every provision of the Magna Carta and its IRR serves as a reliable safeguard for seafarers.

President Marcos reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the continued safety and welfare of Filipino seafarers. |PND