Executive Secretary Ralph G. Recto has underscored that human security must be central to the Philippines’ national security, saying that real security lies in safeguarding everything that allows Filipino families to live with dignity and hope.

In his speech at National Security Summit 2025, Executive Secretary Recto said national security must be defined by the everyday issues that affect the lives of Filipino families.

“It is food that is affordable. Power that stays on. A job that pays enough. Truth in our newsfeeds. Trust in our institutions,” he said.

“Because security is more than the absence of a shooting war. It means the presence of opportunity,” he added.

In line with this, the Executive Secretary commended the National Security Council (NSC) for aligning the National Security Strategy (NSS) 2024 with the Philippine Development Plan (PDP), which addresses every thread of Filipino life—from farmers facing climate uncertainty, to soldiers guarding frontiers, to teachers shaping young minds against disinformation.

To secure the Filipino people’s future, the Executive Secretary highlighted that the Marcos Jr. administration is strengthening food security, expanding universal healthcare, and investing in quality education and workforce development.

“For our greatest asset—our greatest defense—is the empowered, enlightened, engaged and educated Filipino people,” he said.

Restoring Public Trust

Executive Secretary Recto also stressed that weak governance and institutional challenges—including corruption, misuse of public funds, and lack of transparency—pose serious risks to national security.

“This is why we are pushing for good governance reforms—finally pursuing an anti-political dynasty bill, reforming the party list system, and giving public access to government expenditures,” he said.

“For building stronger and more transparent institutions is the nation’s sturdiest security defense,” he added.

He also highlighted the administration’s commitment to fiscal discipline and maintaining a disciplined national budget focused on quality spending to ensure that public funds are directed to programs that genuinely benefit the Filipino people.

To address multiple challenges the country is facing today, the Executive Secretary emphasized the need for strategic synergy across all sectors, including the uniformed forces, policy leaders, academics, civil society, industry, and local communities.

He said that true national security requires “a government that moves as one, an economy that is strong and felt by every household, and a future defended by all.”

In closing, he urged all stakeholders to view the Summit as a renewed commitment—not just to protect the State, but to safeguard the hopes and dreams of every Filipino family.

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President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has granted government employees a Service Recognition Incentive (SRI) for 2025 to acknowledge their continued hard work, loyalty, and contributions to achieving the country’s development goals and the administration’s socioeconomic agenda.

Under Administrative Order No. 40 dated December 11, President Marcos granted a one-time SRI of up to PhP20,000 to personnel in the Executive branch, including civilian employees of national government agencies, state universities and colleges (SUCs), and government-owned or -controlled corporations (GOCCs) whether holding regular, contractual, or casual positions.

Also included in the order are military personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines under the Department of National Defense, and uniformed personnel of the Philippine National Police, Philippine Public Safety College, Bureau of Fire Protection, and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology under the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

Uniformed personnel of the Bureau of Corrections under the Department of Justice, the Philippine Coast Guard under the Department of Transportation, and the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources were also included.

The payment of the SRI to all qualified government employees shall be made not earlier than December 15.

“The Administration recognizes all government employees for their collective and invaluable contributions to the government’s continuing efforts in pursuing the objectives, commitments, targets, and deliverables under the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028 and the President’s 8-Point Socioeconomic Agenda,” AO No. 40 stated.

For national government agencies, including SUCs and military and uniformed personnel, the incentive will come from their available 2025 personnel services (PS) budget under the 2025 General Appropriations Act. If this is not enough, they may use their maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE), following budget rules.

For GOCCs, the SRI will be taken from their approved 2025 corporate operating budgets.

Employees of the Senate, House of Representatives, Judiciary, Office of the Ombudsman, and other constitutional offices with fiscal autonomy may also receive a one-time SRI of up to PhP20,000, depending on their available PS budgets.

For local government units (LGUs), including barangays, the grant and amount of SRI not exceeding PhP20,000 will be decided by their respective sanggunians based on their financial capacity and within the personnel services limits under the Local Government Code.

Employees in Local Water Districts (LWDs) may also receive SRI at a uniform rate up to PhP20,000 to be determined by the Board of Directors, chargeable against their respective corporate operating budgets for 2025.

If an agency does not have sufficient funds, its qualified employees will still receive the SRI at a lower but uniform rate.

Employees qualified to receive the SRI include civilian personnel occupying regular, contractual or casual positions; personnel who are still in government service as of November 30, 2025; and personnel who have rendered at least four months of service as of November 30, 2025.

Qualified employees who have rendered less than four months of service as of November 30, 2025 shall receive pro-rated SRI.

The employees should not have received any additional year-end benefit in Fiscal Year 2025 over and above the benefits authorized under Republic Act 6686, as amended by RA No. 8441, in order to qualify for the SRI. | PND

Recognizing the hard work of every government worker in the country, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has approved the release of a one-time gratuity pay for Contract of Service (COS) and Job Order (JO) workers in government this year.

Under Administrative Order No. 39, signed on December 11, COS and JO employees who have rendered a total or an aggregate of at least four months of actual satisfactory service performance as of December 15 and whose contracts remain in effect on the same date are entitled to a gratuity pay not exceeding PhP7,000.

“Granting a year-end Gratuity Pay to COS and JO workers is a well-deserved recognition of their hard work and valuable participation in the implementation of various programs, activities, and projects (PAPs) of the government, and their pivotal role in the delivery of government services amidst the present socio-economic challenges,” the AO stated.

The order noted that while COS and JO workers are paid salaries equivalent to those received by personnel occupying comparable positions in government, they do not enjoy the benefits accorded to regular government employees such as mid-year and year-end bonuses, performance-based bonus and personnel economic relief allowance.

Employees who have rendered less than four months of satisfactory service may still receive the gratuity pay on a pro-rata basis.

Workers with three months but less than four months of service will receive gratuity pay not exceeding PhP6,000. Employees with two months but less than three months service will get gratuity pay not exceeding PhP5,000 while those with less than two months service will receive a pay not exceeding PhP4,000.

The order covers workers in national government agencies, state universities and colleges (SUCs), government-owned or -controlled corporations (GOCCs) and local water districts (LWDs).

The payment of gratuity pay shall be made not earlier than December 15.

The AO will take effect immediately following its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday visited the National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP) in Tacloban City, where he inspected the training center’s upgraded equipment and facilities.

Established by the President’s mother, former First Lady Imelda Marcos, the NMP offers maritime training courses and conducts research and studies on industry issues.

President Marcos inspected the modern training equipment that were completed early this December and will be used starting January 2026, namely the Full Mission Bridge Simulator, Liquid Cargo Handling Simulator, and Engine Room Simulator Software Upgrade.

The President was briefed on the use of the simulators that replicate real-world vessel operations, providing trainees with hands-on experience to develop competencies in navigation, cargo handling, engine room operations, emergency response, and decision-making.

President Marcos is focused on modernizing the equipment and facilities of the NMP to ensure Filipino seafarers’ training can keep pace with international standards, said Presidential Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro.

“Ayon sa Pangulo nagsisikap ang pamahalaan upang gawin mas modern ang training equipment at facilities ng National Maritime Polytechnic upang makipag sabayan ang mga marinong Pinoy sa pandaigdigang pamantayan,” Castro said in a Palace press briefing.

“Para kay Pangulong Marcos Jr. una ang mga Pilipino, una ang mga marino,” Castro added.

The Full Mission Bridge Simulator allows trainees to experience real-world navigation, ship handling and bridge operations.

The Liquid Cargo and Handling Simulator enables hands-on training for the safe operation of pumps, valves, pipelines, and auxiliary equipment.

Meanwhile, the Engine Room Simulator Software Upgrade involves comprehensive simulations of the ship’s main propulsion plant, electrical power generation systems, and auxiliary machinery.

The NMP was created under Presidential Decree No. 1369 issued in 1978. The training center was placed under the Department of Migrant Workers in 2021 under Republic Act 11641 or the Department of Migrant Workers Act. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. inspected on Friday the newly modernized Banago Port in Barangay Banago, Bacolod City, which is now equipped with upgraded facilities that ensure safer and more efficient services for passengers and port workers in the area.

The upgraded Banago Port is likewise expected to significantly boost trade, mobility, tourism, and overall economic productivity in the Western Visayas Region.

During the visit, President Marcos led the unveiling of the marker in front of the Port Operations Building.

The President toured various port facilities along with Department of Transportation (DOTr) Acting Secretary Giovanni Lopez and Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) General Manager Jay Daniel Santiago.

“This is now going to be the standard design for our terminals, for our ports around the country. And the reason it’s important to have a standard design so that ang tao, ang pasahero, kahit saan sumasakay, saan bumababa, alam nila kung saan bibili ng ticket, saan maghihintay, saan papasok, saan sila dadaan,” President Marcos said.

Improvements made in the Banago Port include the modernized Port Operations Building (POB); a widened causeway ensuring smoother road access; an expanded port operational area for cargo handling and port-related activities; and a covered walkway, protecting passengers from inclement weather.

The project also provides additional port space that will cater to more passengers, from 50 to 500 daily, through the new passenger terminal on the first floor of the POB.

“Kaya malaking bagay at saka nakita naman ninyo, iba na talaga pagka maayos at maaliwalas to make the traveling experience para sa ating mga kababayan a little more pleasant,” President Marcos said.

According to the PPA, the Banago port plays a crucial role in passenger travel, roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) traffic, and the transport of essential commodities such as sugar, rice, and corn.

It also improves travelers’ access to nearby tourist destinations like Mambukal Resort and Wildlife Sanctuary, Patag in Silay City, and Lakawon Island.

In an interview, PPA General Manager Santiago said President Marcos’ personal visit and assessment reaffirmed his steadfast commitment to ensuring the welfare of travelers and port workers not only in Bacolod City but all throughout the Negros Island Region.

“Makikita din niya na ito ang resulta ng kanyang vision, ito ang resulta ng kanyang mandato na magbigay o maghandog ng mas moderno, mas kumportable, at mas ligtas na mga pasilidad for transportation para ating mga kababayan,” Santiago said.

Santiago said other port facilities in the Negros Island Region will be improved to provide Filipino travelers and port workers with better services and facilities. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday officially launched the nationwide waterways clearing and cleaning operations in Bacolod City to mitigate flooding in the area during heavy rains.

In launching Oplan Kontra Baha, President Marcos inspected the ongoing clearing operations at Mambuloc Creek in Barangay 2, Bacolod City.

Simultaneous clearing operations were held in Banago Creek, Maupay Creek, Lupit River, Magsungay River, Tangub Creek, Pahanocoy Creek, Sum-ag River, Circumferential Road, and Mandalagan River.

President Marcos said based on scientific estimates, restoring the full water carrying capacity of waterways and drainage systems could reduce flooding by around 60 percent.

“Ito ganoon din ang estimate na kapag nalinis natin lahat ng mga ilog, lahat ng mga creek, lahat ng mga estero, matanggal lang natin ‘yung basura at makapag-dredge tayo, ang estimate ng ating mga scientists ay sabi nila mababawasan ang baha by 50 to 60 percent at least,” President Marcos said in his remarks.

“Kaya napaka-importante itong programang ito. Kaya dinadala natin sa iba’t ibang lungsod around the country kung saan nakikita natin talagang nagkakabaha,” the President added.

President Marcos launched Oplan Kontra Baha in Metro Manila and Metro Cebu last November 12 and 21, respectively.

Oplan Kontra Baha involves declogging of drainage systems; dredging and cleaning of rivers, creeks and esteros; clearing obstructions and managing waste disposal.

In Bacolod City, the Oplan Kontra Baha program targets to clean up nine priority waterways and drainage systems or almost 170 kilometers of rivers, creeks, and esteros, and 138 kilometers of drainage systems.

Oplan Kontra Baha brings together national agencies, local governments, and private partners to address flooding issues caused by heavy siltation, waste blockage, and encroachment of obstructive structures along waterways and drainage systems.

The waterways clearing and cleaning operations will run until June 2026. | PND

Ang iconic na San Juanico Bridge ay bukas na sa two-way traffic matapos ang ilang buwan ng pagkukumpuni.

Tiniyak ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos nitong Biyernes sa mga taga-Samar at Leyte ang ganap na rehabilitasyon ng tulay kasunod ng muli nitong pagbubukas sa two-way traffic na limitado sa 15 tonelada ang bigat.

Sa kanyang inspeksyon sa San Juanico Bridge sa Tacloban City, sinabi ng Pangulo na matatapos ang buong pagkukumpuni sa susunod na taon. Binanggit din niya ang kahalagahan ng tamang maintenance ng mahahalagang imprastruktura upang maiwasan ang pagkaantala sa sosyo-ekonomikong aktibidad ng mga komunidad.

“I’m very happy that I’m able to say now, it is very close to our deadline. And so, the San Juanico Bridge is partially finished. It will be finished next year so that the bridge will be able to take again the load of 33 tons going both ways,” ayon sa Pangulo.

Ayon sa Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), natapos na ang portal shoring works na nagbibigay ng pansamantalang suporta sa istruktura upang ligtas na maisagawa ang retrofitting nang hindi nadaragdagan ang bigat sa tulay.

Dagdag pa ng DPWH, maaari nang madaanan ang two-way traffic ng naturang tulay na may 15-ton load limit para patuloy na makadaan ang mga motorista habang pinatitibay ito.

Noong Hunyo, bumisita ang Pangulo sa San Juanico Bridge at Amandayehan Port sa Basey, Samar upang pangasiwaan ang tugon ng pamahalaan sa emergency closure ng tulay na nakaapekto sa transportasyon at kalakalan sa Eastern Visayas.

Sa kanyang nasabing pagbisita, iniutos ng Pangulo sa DPWH na itaas ang load limit sa 12 metric tons bago matapos ang Disyembre at pabilisin ang rehabilitasyon ng tulayna nagdudugtong sa Samar at Leyte.

Ipinaliwanag rin ng Pangulo na ang pansamantalang pagsasara ng San Juanico Bridge ay kailangan para sa kaligtasan ng publiko matapos matuklasan ang matinding pinsala sa mga hindi nakikitang bahagi ng tulay dahil sa dekada nang kapabayaan dito.

“I hope that this serves as a lesson to all future administrators in government, to all government workers who have anything to do with this. The retrofit costs us PhP1.1 billion. That is money that we could have saved if proper maintenance was carried out on San Juanico,” sinabi ng Pangulong Marcos nitong Biyernes.

Dagdag pa ng Pangulo, dapat sana ay nasaklaw ng taunang badyet ng DPWH para sa maintenance at iba pang gastusin (MOOE) ang regular na pangangalaga sa San Juanico Bridge at iba pang kritikal na imprastruktura.

“Kaya again, I hope that this is a lesson to us and of all of those in the future whose responsibility will be to look after our thoroughfares, to always remember the experience of San Juanico Bridge that if we had only maintained it, we would have saved a great deal of problems,” diin pa ng Pangulo.

Itinayo noong 1969 at binuksan noong Hulyo 1973, ang San Juanico Bridge na may habang 2.15 kilometro ay nananatiling mahalagang lifeline ng Eastern Visayas at nagsisilbing pangunahing daanan para sa mga pamilya, kalakalan, at pag-unlad ng rehiyon. | PND

The iconic San Juanico Bridge is now open to two-way traffic after several months of repair work.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. assured the people of Samar and Leyte of the bridge’s complete rehabilitation after it was opened Friday to two-way traffic under a 15-ton load limit.

During an inspection of the San Juanico Bridge in Tacloban City, President Marcos said the full repair will be finished next year, and at the same time emphasized the need to ensure proper maintenance of vital infrastructure to avoid socio-economic disruption to affected communities.

“I’m very happy that I’m able to say now, it is very close to our deadline. And so, the San Juanico Bridge is partially finished. It will be finished next year so that the bridge will be able to take again the load of 33 tons going both ways,” the President said.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has announced the completion of the bridge’s portal shoring works which provide temporary support to the existing structure in order for the retrofitting to proceed safely and without adding strain on the bridge.

The DPWH said San Juanico Bridge can now safely carry two-way traffic under a controlled 15-ton load limit, allowing motorists to continue using the bridge while the permanent strengthening works are being carried out.

Last June, the Chief Executive visited the San Juanico Bridge and Amandayehan Port in Basey, Samar to oversee government response efforts to the emergency closure of the bridge, which has disrupted transportation and trade across Eastern Visayas.

During that visit, the President directed the DPWH to increase the load limit to 12 metric tons before the end of December and underscored the need to expedite the rehabilitation timeline for the vital link between Samar and Leyte.

President Marcos had said that San Juanico Bridge’s shutdown was necessary to ensure public safety after a structural inspection uncovered severe damage in the unseen parts of the bridge due to decades of neglect.

“I hope that this serves as a lesson to all future administrators in government, to all government workers who have anything to do with this. The retrofit costs us PhP1.1 billion. That is money that we could have saved if proper maintenance was carried out on San Juanico,” President Marcos said on Friday.

The President said the DPWH’s annual budget for maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE) should have covered the regular maintenance of San Juanico Bridge and other important infrastructure.

“Kaya again, I hope that this is a lesson to us and of all of those in the future whose responsibility will be to look after our thoroughfares, to always remember the experience of San Juanico Bridge that if we had only maintained it, we would have saved a great deal of problems,” the President said.

Constructed in 1969 and opened in July 1973, the 2.15 kilometers San Juanico Bridge remains a critical lifeline for Eastern Visayas, serving as a vital corridor for families, commerce, and regional development. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. expressed hope that the long-term reforms being pursued in the country’s education system will become firmly institutionalized—establishing quality education as an unquestionable right that Filipinos can demand even beyond his administration.

“Education is one of those things that I hope we can get started in such a way na kahit wala na ako dito, kahit na wala na kami dito, my administration is no longer here, that this will continue, masanay ang tao so that it becomes a right. And if it is taken away from you, you can demand for it to be brought back,” President Marcos said in the latest BBM Podcast aired on Thursday.

In a casual discussion with college students, the President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening the country’s education system, aligning with the government’s priorities in the proposed 2026 education budget.

President Marcos gave assurance that state universities and colleges would not be left behind in the education sector, given the record-high PhP1.38 trillion education budget in the proposed 2026 national budget.

“First of all, hindi napapabayaan ang SUCs. The budget for the maintenance and the continued operation of our SUCs is PhP185 billion…The rest of the funding is going to go to talagang primary (education). Para kang nagpapatayo ng bahay, ‘yung pundasyon natin napakahina,” the President said.

President Marcos noted that the education sector had been neglected for a long time, as evidenced by the nationwide shortage of classrooms.

“Na-neglect natin yung education napakatagal. Biruin mo, we have a 160,000 shortage of classrooms. How did that happen? Paano if they did, if they built 20,000 classrooms every year for the last 30 years, wala tayong problema. So kailangan natin maghabol. So we are spending it number one, of course, on classrooms,” the President said.

President Marcos vowed to address all the concerns in the education sector, including classrooms, support for teachers, and students’ equipment.

“And we are finding all kinds of ways to build classrooms more quickly. Yung support natin sa teacher. Equipment, computer, wala tayong computer. Ang dami pang eskwelahan walang internet,” the President added.

President Marcos stressed that the government is addressing every aspect of the country’s education system — even the most basic school facilities — to ensure that learning environments are conducive and functional.

“Down to the toilet in the school. Hanggang doon kailangan natin ayusin lahat,” the President said. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. underscored the urgency of strengthening the country’s education system, saying Filipinos excel when given the right opportunities—whether in the Philippines or overseas.

In his latest BBM Podcast which aired on Thursday, President Marcos emphasized the need for quality education, which is the foundation that enables Filipinos to thrive anywhere in the world.

“You give Filipinos a good opportunity, they’ll shine. That’s why it’s important na ayusin natin ang education para lahat ng Pilipinong magagaling mabigyan ng pagkakataon na sumikat sila whether at home, whether in government, whether abroad, anywhere,” said the President.

“Basta’t nabigyan sila ng magandang pundasyon, magandang edukasyon, kaya na nilang sumabak kahit saan. Makipagsapalaran sila kahit saan sa buong mundo,” President Marcos added during an informal exchange with students from the University of the East (UE), Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), and West Visayas State University (WVSU).

Underscoring Filipinos’ global recognition, President Marcos emphasized the exceptional talent and work ethic of Filipinos, noting how their contributions are deeply valued around the world as Filipino workers consistently earn admiration across various sectors and countries.

“Ang galing kasi ng Pinoy. Nakikita na natin ‘to. Ang galing at ang sipag ng Pinoy. Pumunta ka anywhere kung saan may Pinoy, mahal na mahal nila ‘yung Pilipino nilang kaibigan o co-worker o ‘yung nag-aalaga sa anak nila, nag-aalaga sa lola nila o ‘yung engineer na nagtayo ng building,” the President said.

“They just love Filipinos. I hear leaders of rich countries tell me that, ‘You know, without the Filipino workers, our country would not be this successful as it is now. They were there for the last 25 years, and we built up our country because of the Filipino workers.’ And they just love Filipinos,” President Marcos said. | PND