“I truly believe that agriculture is the soul of our economy. This is why we will continue to advance the agricultural sector with technology and the support that our farmers rightfully deserve, suited to the demands of the modern world.”

Thus said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. as he led the distribution of various agricultural inputs and machinery to farmers in Central Luzon, aiming to boost productivity and support local agriculture.

Speaking at the distribution held at the Kalikid Golf Course in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija on Wednesday, President Marcos reaffirmed his commitment to easing and uplifting the lives of local farmers.

“To our farmers, we hope these machines will lighten your load. Never naman mangyari na magiging madali ang pagsasaka. Pero sana mapabilis ang trabaho ninyo at sana naman ay mapagaan ang inyong trabaho para naman magkaroon kayo ng panahon na makasama ang inyong mga mahal sa buhay,” the President said.

Among the equipment distributed were four-wheel drive tractors with implements, mechanical planters, combine harvesters, and hand tractors. A total of 44 farmer cooperatives and associations (FCAs) are expected to benefit from the agricultural machinery.

Farmers also received fertilizer, soil ameliorants, as well as hybrid seeds, and foliar that will support 22,103 hectares of hybrid rice for the 2025 to 2026 dry season cropping.

The Chief Executive vowed to continue empowering the sector through advanced technologies and the right government support.

On the same day, the President led the groundbreaking ceremony of the Korea Agricultural Machinery Industry Complex (KAMIC), the nation’s first large-scale agricultural machinery manufacturing facility, which will help modernize farming operations and boost production.

“With the help of KAMIC and the hard work of our farmers, I am confident that our nation’s future will be more prosperous. The farmers’ future will be more prosperous. And our kababayans’ future will also be more prosperous. That is how important the work of our farmers is to the rest of our country,” the President said.

“Together, we will build productive fields here in Central Luzon and across the country where every farmer can stand tall and dignified for the work that he or she does,” the President added. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday led the groundbreaking of the Korea Agricultural Machinery Industry Complex (KAMIC) in Nueva Ecija, the country’s first large-scale agricultural machinery factory, which is expected to strengthen local farm mechanization, boost productivity, and lessen reliance on imported equipment.

During the groundbreaking ceremony held at the Kalikid Golf Course in Cabanatuan City, President Marcos acknowledged the sacrifices and challenges endured by Filipino farmers, stressing that their “struggles deserve solutions that are lasting and within reach.”

The President emphasized that KAMIC’s production of advanced machinery will play a vital role in modernizing farmers’ operations and easing their labor.

“The KAMIC is the first agricultural machinery production complex in the country. Its purpose is to strengthen our capacity to develop and build farm machinery,” President Marcos said.

“Designed with Filipino farmers in mind, these tools will help increase production, improve crop quality, and ultimately raise the income of our farmers,” the President added.

The President also stressed that, with KAMIC, farmers no longer have to wait for the parts for their equipment or pay for overpriced equipment.

“No more farmers left behind in farming technology. The importance of mechanization in agriculture cannot be overstressed,” the President said.

President Marcos also expressed his gratitude to South Korea for investing in the country, assuring them that the government will protect their investments.

“To our Korean partners, thank you for believing that the Philippines is worth investing in. Thank you also for trusting the Filipino farmer and for taking part in our shared progress. Our partnership together brings technology and hope to these individuals who nourish and sustain us,” the President said.

“I assure you that the government will continue to promote policies to protect your investments here in the Philippines.”

With a total investment of USD100 million, the KAMIC will be built on a 20-hectare local government-owned land in Barangay Kalikid Sur, Cabanatuan City.

The facility will assemble and manufacture agricultural machinery, such as tractors and seeders, for the Philippine farm setting. | PND

Muling iginiit ng Malacañang nitong Miyerkules na ang malaking bahagi ng sobrang pondo ng Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) na nagkakahalaga ng PhP60 bilyon ay inilaan sa mahahalagang programang pangkalusugan at social services na direktang pinakinabangan ng publiko.

Sa isang press briefing sa Palasyo, sinabi ni Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary at Palace Press Officer Claire Castro na itinanggi ng Department of Health (DOH) ang alegasyon ng ilang sektor hinggil sa maling paggamit ng pondo. Ipinunto niya na ang malaking bahagi ng nasabing halaga ay inilagak sa iba’t ibang programa ng gobyerno, kabilang ang Health Emergency Allowance (HEA).

“Ayon sa report ng DOH noong Martes, umabot sa halos 6 million na healthcare workers ang nakinabang sa nasabing programa ng PhilHealth,” ani Castro

Ayon kay Castro, ang HEA ay ibinigay sa mga medical frontliners na nagsilbi sa kasagsagan ng COVID-19 pandemic.

Bukod sa HEA, ginamit din aniya ang pondo para sa medical assistance sa mga indigent at kapus-palad na pasyente, pagbili ng medical equipment para sa mga ospital ng DOH, mga ospital ng lokal na pamahalaan, at mga primary care facilities.

Binigyang diin ng Palace Officer na ang malaking halagang ng nasabing pondo ay napunta sa tatlong health facilities ng DOH at Health Facilities Enhancement Program (HFEP).

“Dahil sa ilalim ng administrasyon ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., walang pera ng taumbayan ang masasayang — lahat ay napupunta sa makabuluhang programa na naglalayong maiangat ang kalidad ng pamumuhay, lalo na ang kalusugan ng bawat mamamayan,”

Kamakailan, iniutos ng Korte Suprema ang pagsasauli ng PhP60 bilyong pondo ng PhilHealth na na-remit sa national treasury noong 2024, pabalik sa state insurer. Ang halagang ito ay bahagi ng tinatayang PhP89.9 bilyong “excess funds” na nakatakdang ilipat sa national treasury.

Noong Setyembre 20, 2025, inutos ni Pangulong Marcos na ibalik sa PhilHealth ang PhP60 bilyong pondo, bilang pagkilala sa mas mahusay na trabaho ng ahensiya at dagdag na benepisyo para sa mga miyembro. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has directed concerned government agencies to coordinate with the country’s embassies for the capture and immediate return of ex-Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co to the Philippines following the cancellation of the fugitive lawmaker’s passport.

“Maibabalita ko po sa inyo na ang passport po ni Zaldy Co ay kanselado na,” President Marcos said in a video message on Wednesday.

“Kaya in-instruction-an ko na ang Department of Foreign Affairs, pati ang PNP (Philippine National Police), na makipag-ugnayan sa ating mga embassies sa iba’t ibang bansa para tiyakin na hindi maaaring magtago itong ating hinahabol na magtago doon sa kanilang bansa,” the President added.

“At kung sakali man ay siya ay pupunta roon, ay i-rereport sa atin para naman maibalik natin siya dito sa Pilipinas.”

Co, as well as officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-Mimaropa and executives of Sunwest Construction and Development Corp. are facing arrest warrants after they were charged with graft and malversation charges over an anomalous multi-million flood control project in Oriental Mindoro.

The case was filed by the Office of the Ombudsman before the Sandiganbayan as part of the first tranche of cases related to flood control projects corruption.

President Marcos also said that controversial contractor Sarah Discaya is now in the custody of the National Bureau of Investigations (NBI) following her surrender on Tuesday in anticipation of the issuance of a warrant for her arrest.

The process of going after those involved in the flood control scandal is going well, the President said, reassuring the public that corrupt officials and individuals will be held accountable.

“Asahan po ninyo na patuloy pa rin ang ating imbestigasyon, patuloy pa rin ang ating pagpila ng mga kaso upang tiyakin na ang mga guilty dito sa ganitong klaseng iskandalo ay haharap sa batas at bukod diyan ay maibalik ang ninakaw na pera sa taong bayan,” said President Marcos. | PND

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has implemented several measures to alleviate the expected traffic congestion across Metro Manila during the Christmas season.

In a Palace press briefing on Wednesday, MMDA Chairman Romando Artes said the volume of vehicles on major thoroughfares, particularly EDSA, has already exceeded its capacity.

“Sobra po kasi ang volume ng sasakyan, we expect it dahil sa atin pong datos last year ng same week, first week and second week ng December, umaabot po talaga ng 450,000 ang vehicles sa EDSA alone – iyan po ay more than the 250,000 capacity,” Artes said.

To manage the high vehicular volume, Artes said the MMDA has implemented adjustments, including intensified clearing operations of Mabuhay Lanes, which are designated alternate routes to help motorists avoid congested main roads like EDSA.

The official also urged the public to use the major public transportation systems, such as the EDSA Bus Carousel and the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) and Light Rail Transit (LRT), to decongest roads.

Artes said he has coordinated with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to extend operating hours of the MRT and LRT and other public transport systems to encourage commuters not to use their private vehicles.

On the issue of traffic gridlock that happened along Marcos Highway over the weekend, Artes attributed the incident to the simultaneous mall sales in areas outside the MMDA’s jurisdiction.

“Iyong sa nangyari naman po sa Marcos Highway, nagkasabay-sabay po iyong sale doon po sa mga malls na outside ng jurisdiction ng MMDA at kung inyo pong matatandaan, pinagbabawal po natin ang mall sale dito po sa Kamaynilaan… Dahil po dito sa may parteng Rizal may mga nag-mall sale, nagkasabay-sabay po iyong paglabas at nabulunan po,” Artes said.

To avoid a repeat of the incident, Artes said the MMDA convened a meeting with the local governments of Marikina, Pasig, Quezon City, Cainta, and Antipolo to craft effective traffic mitigation measures.

Artes also appealed to mall operators to refrain from holding mall-wide sale events during peak holiday weeks.

“Kinausap din po natin iyong mga LGUs regarding mall-wide sale, dapat po siguro ipagbawal din muna po dahil nagkataon po, pagkasara po ng mall, sabay-sabay po naglabasan na talaga naman pong naging dahilan ng sobrang bigat ng daloy ng trapik,” he said.

Artes, meanwhile, clarified that MMDA is not against individual store sales.

“Hindi po namin ipinagbabawal or pinakikiusap na ipagbawal iyong sale. Ang sinasabi lang po namin, huwag sabay-sabay na buong mall ay sale. So, on a per store basis, puwede pa rin pong mag-sale,” he said.

“Dahil kapag sobra rin po ang trapik, nawawala po iyong foot traffic sa kanilang mga malls ay nadi-discourage din pong pumunta iyong mga mamimili at nakakabawas din po sa sales nila,” he added.

Artes said the MMDA has also requested a temporary moratorium on Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) anti-overloading checkpoints that obstruct road flow.

He further cited the need for harmonized truck ban policies among local government units (LGUs) to ease congestion along Marcos Highway.

Artes said additional MMDA traffic enforcers will be deployed along Marcos Highway, with LGUs committing to provide support to ensure motorists comply with traffic rules. | PND

Mahigit isang milyong Pilipino ang nakinabang sa ipinatutupad na zero balance billing policy sa loob lamang ng apat na buwan, alinsunod sa direktiba ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. na palawakin ang access sa serbisyong pangkalusugan sa bansa, ayon sa Malacañang.

“Bilang bahagi ng kampanya ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. na palakasin ang healthcare sa bansa, umabot na sa higit 1,078,000 ang natulungan ng zero-balance billing program ng Department of Health matapos lamang ang apat na buwan,” ayon kay Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro sa isang press briefing sa Palasyo.

Sa kanyang Fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) noong Hulyo 28, inanunsyo ni Pangulong Marcos na pinatutupad ng gobyerno ang zero-balance billing policy upang maibsan ang pasaning pinansyal ng mga pasyente.

Sa ilalim ng polisiya, tinitiyak na sasagutin ng gobyerno ang lahat ng gastos sa pagpapagamot ng sinumang ma-admit sa basic o ward accommodation sa mga ospital ng Department of Health (DOH).

Ayon kay Castro, ang DOH sa pamumuno ni Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa ay nagpatibay na patuloy na ipinatutupad ang zero-balance billing sa mga ospital nito upang matiyak na ang publiko ay makatatanggap ng pinakamataas na benepisyo sa kalusugan.

Tiniyak ng Palace Press Officer na nananatiling nakatuon ang pamahalaan sa pagpapanatili ng abot-kamay na mga serbisyong medikal at ang mga higit na nangangailangan ng pangangalagang pangkalusugan ay patuloy na makatatanggap nito nang libre.

“Makakaasa ang mga kababayan natin na mananatiling abot-kamay ang maayos na kalidad ng serbisyo ng mga pampublikong ospital at libre ang pagpapagamot para sa mga lubos na nangangailangan,” sinabi ni Castro. ǀ PND

Malacañang on Wednesday reiterated that a significant portion of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation’s (PhilHealth) PhP60-billion “excess” funds went to key health and social services that directly benefited the public.

At a Palace press briefing, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the Department of Health (DOH) dismissed claims raised by some sectors about the use of the funds, noting that the bulk of these resources was allocated to various government health and social service programs, including the Health Emergency Allowance (HEA).

“Ayon sa report ng DOH noong Martes, umabot sa halos 6 million na healthcare workers ang nakinabang sa nasabing programa ng PhilHealth,” Castro added.

Castro said the HEA was given to medical frontliners who served during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Aside from the HEA, Castro said the funds were also used for other programs such as the Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients and procurement of medical equipment for DOH hospitals, local government unit hospitals, and primary care facilities.

The Palace Press Officer emphasized that a huge chunk of the funds also went to three DOH health facilities and the Health Facilities Enhancement Program (HFEP).

“Dahil sa ilalim ng administrasyon ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., walang pera ng taumbayan ang masasayang — lahat ay napupunta sa makabuluhang programa na naglalayong maiangat ang kalidad ng pamumuhay, lalo na ang kalusugan ng bawat mamamayan,” said Castro.

The Supreme Court recently ordered the return of PhilHealth’s PhP60-billion funds remitted to the national treasury in 2024 to the state insurer. The amount was said to be part of the “excess” PhilHealth funds totaling PhP89.9 billion that was intended to be moved to the national treasury.

Last September 20, 2025, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. already restored PhilHealth’s PhP60 billion excess funds, in recognition of the agency’s improved performance and increased benefits for members. | PND

More than one million Filipinos have benefitted from the government’s zero balance billing policy in just four months, in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to improve healthcare access in the country, Malacañang said on Wednesday.

“Bilang bahagi ng kampanya ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. na palakasin pa ang healthcare sa bansa, umabot na sa higit 1,078,000 patients ang natulungan ng zero-balance billing program ng Department of Health matapos lamang ang apat na buwan,” Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said during a Palace press briefing.

During his Fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) last July 28, President Marcos announced that the government is implementing a zero-balance billing policy to ease the financial burden on patients.

The policy ensures that patients admitted to a basic or ward accommodation in a DOH-listed hospital will have all medical expenses fully covered.

Castro said the DOH led by Secretary Teodoro Herbosa is sustaining the full implementation of zero-balance billing in DOH hospitals to ensure the public receives the maximum healthcare benefits.

The Palace Press Officer assured that the government remains committed to keeping hospital services accessible and ensuring that those who need medical care the most will continue to receive it for free.

“Makakaasa ang mga kababayan natin na mananatiling abot-kamay ang maayos na kalidad ng serbisyo ng mga pampublikong ospital at libre ang pagpapagamot para sa mga lubos na nangangailangan,” Castro said. ǀ PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. took note of the concerns of the Filipino youth about cyberbullying.

In the latest PBBM Podcast aired on Tuesday, President Marcos discussed with a group of college students the perils of cyberbullying.

“There’s one thing I don’t understand about digital life is the bullying,” the President told the college students who belonged to the so-called Generation Z or Gen Z.

The President acknowledged that Filipinos are one of the biggest users of the internet.

Agripino John Patrick Ga-an, a Law student at the West Visayas State University, spoke of the “cancel culture” where a single mistake could be blown out of proportion and wipe out a person’s many other positive deeds.

Jannine Lagbawan, a Journalism student at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines and news editor of the student publication The Communication, spoke of the long-term impact of some negative social media comments.

Kathleen Anne Millonte, a Psychology student of the University of the East Manila and editor-in-chief of the student publication The Dawn, meanwhile spoke of the need for education about online etiquette.

President Marcos agreed about giving importance to mental health and to experiences outside the online world.

“That’s the only conclusion I can arrive at, na ‘yun ang buong buhay ng kung sino man ‘yun. Basta’t ‘yung buong buhay niya is online. So, what goes online, that’s the only important (thing). That’s not what goes on in real life,” said President Marcos.

“Maybe it’s just my own experience. But some of the people that bullied me in school became some of my best friends. They really did,” President Marcos added. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said that speaking with the youth provides fresh perspectives and valuable insights that help leaders keep pace with rapidly changing societal trends.

“I much prefer talking to young people actually because I always – Of course, there are people in your life na talagang kailangan pinapakinggan mo. But you know, with the way things are moving, talking to young people is always – there’s always something new,” President Marcos said in the latest PBBM Podcast aired on Tuesday.

The President had an informal conversation with students, one each from the University of the East (UE), Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), and West Visayas State University (WVSU).

President Marcos emphasized the importance of engaging with young people, noting that they offer new ideas, a better sense of what is happening on the ground, and perspectives that challenge traditional ways of thinking.

“You know, this is what’s happening. You know, take away – matagal ng nag-paradigm shift ito. You have to think in another way. So, I like it. I enjoy it,” the President added.

In past PBBM Podcast episodes, President Marcos sat down with veteran broadcast journalists. The latest episode shifted the discussion toward a more informal and youth-focused exchange that highlighted the voices and concerns of young Filipinos. | PND