President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday highlighted the role of local chief executives in ensuring that big ticket infrastructure projects are implemented properly and free of corruption.

During his visit in Cagayan, President Marcos lauded the newly inaugurated Union Water Impounding Dam in Claveria municipality, and the almost completed Camalaniugan Bridge in Camalaniugan municipalities as showcases of properly executed government projects.

“Kaya dito sa Cagayan thank you – sa ating mga mayor, sa ating mga chief executives, nandito si Gov. (Edgar) Egay Aglipay,” the President said during the inspection of the Camalaniugan Bridge.

“Binabantayan nila nang mabuti itong malalaking project para hindi masabi na nagkaproblema, na-ghost project, na hindi natapos, iyong mga nakikita nating problema sa ibang project kung minsan,” added the President.

The President said these projects show what the government is capable of doing if public money is spent for the intended purpose.

“Kaya nakakatuwa na makita natin na kung ano ang tunay na kakayahan ng pamahalaan kung talagang lahat ng bawat – tiyakin na ang bawat sentimo ay mapunta sa tama,” President Marcos said.

While congratulating the local chief executives, the President also thanked the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) led by Secretary Vince Dizon for regularly monitoring the bridge project.

The President targets to open the 2.16-kilometer two-lane Camalaniugan Bridge this December, after commencing construction in May 2020.

Once opened, the Camalaniugan Bridge, considered as the longest cable-stayed bridge in Cagayan Valley (Region II), would reduce travel time between Aparri and Ballesteros municipalities from one hour to 20 minutes, benefitting 6,000 travelers a day. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday inspected the almost complete Camalaniugan Bridge linking Aparri and Camalaniugan municipalities in Cagayan province and considered as the longest cable-stayed bridge in Cagayan Valley (Region II).

“We are looking at one of the most beautiful bridges that we have created in the Philippines. And I’m happy to note that it was done as well in time and it was done properly,” President Marcos said in his remarks during the inspection.

The President said the bridge’s design was done locally. “Kaya kahit na parang ginaya ‘yung mga tulay sa ibang bansa ay talagang ito lahat galing sa atin.”

Once the Camalaniugan Bridge opens for traffic, the travel time between Aparri and Ballesteros municipalities in Cagayan will be reduced from one hour to 20 minutes, benefitting 6,000 travelers a day.

“So, sana mabuksan natin by Christmas ito,” President Marcos said.

“Malaking bagay ito kasi Aparri-Claveria, Aparri–Ballesteros, hanggang Ballesteros mayroon ng magandang daan. Anim na libo ang dadaan dito bawat isang araw,” the President continued.

“So, madami talagang traffic. Tamang-tama nandiyan ‘yung Aparri Port. Lahat nung mga gamit na dati kung saan-saan – ang layo ng dinadaanan, eh ngayon dito 20 minutes na lang.”

The Camalaniugan Bridge primarily aims to provide an alternate route to the Magapit Suspension Bridge, the only bridge that crosses Cagayan River in northern Cagayan.

The construction started in May 2020, with 99 percent of the civil works accomplished as of September 30, 2025.

The construction of the new bridge would enhance accessibility and eventually strengthen economic linkages and reduce travel time and cost for the continuous movement of goods and people. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday hailed the completion of the Union Water Impounding Dam in Claveria, Cagayan as a concrete example that the government can deliver fast, effective, and reliable flood control infrastructure.

Speaking before local farmers during the inauguration of the dam, President Marcos proudly shared that the project was completed in only 14 months.

“Ito po ay binubuksan po natin – ito ay para naman maipakita natin, itong project po na ito, nagsimula ito sa termino ko, natapos din sa termino ko,” the President said. “Fourteen months, zero ito, wala ito. Pero 14 months later, ito na, mayroon na tayo.”

Amid controversies surrounding flood control projects, the President said the successful completion of the Union Dam proves that with proper planning, sound design, and efficient implementation, the government can deliver reliable and effective flood mitigation infrastructure that truly benefits the people.

“Ibig sabihin napatunayan natin na maaaring gumawa ng magandang flood control na effective. Basta’t maayos ang pagpagawa, maayos ang disenyo, maayos ang implementasyon, wala tayong makikitang problema,” President Marcos said.

The Union Dam not only protects rice fields from flooding, but also provides year-round irrigation to support crop yields.

The President explained that the structure is technically a weir—a low dam designed to regulate river flow – which allows water to be managed during heavy rains, helping to prevent flooding in vulnerable downstream communities.

The project also includes a sluice gate system, which diverts water to irrigate up to 3,600 hectares of farmland, benefitting more than 1,000 farmers across seven barangays, according to the President.

The Union Dam is a joint initiative between the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), and forms part of a broader convergence strategy to address flood control, irrigation, and rural development.

President Marcos also highlighted the dam’s potential to become a tourist destination, noting that the area has begun attracting locals for recreation and water activities.

“Ang daming puwedeng gawin dito. Kaya ako’y tuwang-tuwa na mapunta rito, makita itong natapos natin na flood control project na makita natin ay makakatulong sa mga lahat ng nandito sa valley,” the President said. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday led the inauguration of the Union Water Impounding Dam in Claveria, Cagayan, a major infrastructure project aimed at improving flood control, irrigation, and climate resilience in the province.

Upon his arrival, President Marcos unveiled the project marker and personally inspected the dam’s opening and structural features.

“Sa tulong ng pamahalaan at masisipag na magsasaka, itinayo ang proyektong ito upang mapanatili ang daloy ng tubig at pag-asa,” the marker reads.

The President also engaged with farmers present at the event through the “Ugnayan” dialogue, highlighting his administration’s commitment to improve the lives of farmers by promoting rural development.

The PhP500-million Union Dam project, located across the Cabicungan River in Barangays Union and Cadcadir, is a flagship convergence project between the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), under the latter’s “Katubigan” Program.

Designed to support over 1,050 hectares of farmland, the dam is expected to benefit more than 1,000 farmers. It includes slope protection, and drainage systems to minimize river siltation and slope erosion and prevent flooding in agricultural areas.

NIA Region 2 Public Relations Officer Paula Pereña told the Presidential News Desk that the Union Dam is part of a broader network of water impounding projects in Barangays Tabbugan and Bacsay, which, once completed, will serve more than 3,000 farmers across Cagayan.

The President was joined by DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon, NIA Administrator Eduardo Guillen and Cagayan Governor Edgar Aglipay during the event. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has ordered setting up modular shelter units to provide more comfortable accommodation than tents for residents displaced by the recent devastating earthquakes.

During the situation briefing on Monday in Tarragona, Davao Oriental on the twin earthquakes that hit the region on Oct. 10, President Marcos said the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) would put up 150 modular shelter units in the province for earthquake victims.

“’Yung naging solusyon namin sa Cebu was tent city. Pero mayroon tayong mas bagong sistema,” said the President, who presided over the meeting held outside the Tarragona Municipal Hall.

“We will change the tent cities into the modular shelters that we have found to be mas matibay, mas kumportable, para kahit na medyo matagalan,” the Chief Executive added, noting that rebuilding damaged homes would take some time.

DHSUD said they will start putting up the modular shelter units on Friday, so displaced residents can begin occupying them by Monday.

The modular shelter units are equipped with basic amenities such as toilet facilities, water and electrical supply and common kitchens.

The DHSUD modular homes will be built under the department’s Integrated Disaster Shelter Assistance Program (IDSAP).

Earlier, in compliance with President Marcos’ directive, the DHSUD deployed modular shelter units in three of the hardest-hit areas in Cebu province, namely Daan Bantayan, San Remigio and Medellin, for victims of the Sept. 30 earthquake.

DHSUD Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling said the modular shelter units will be set up on the “Bayanihan Villages” that were ordered established by President Marcos to shelter victims of the 6.9 magnitude earthquake that struck Cebu province. | PND

“Sabihin ninyo sa amin. Kung kaya namin dalhin, kaya namin ibigay, gagawin namin.”

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday assured continued government assistance to communities affected by recent calamities, vowing that national agencies will remain on the ground until all displaced residents have recovered and returned to their everyday lives.

President Marcos said the government’s response is not a one-time effort, urging victims not to hesitate in voicing their needs.

Agencies such as the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Department of Health (DOH), the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and the Department of Human Settlement and Urban Development (DHSUD) are committed to providing sustained aid and rehabilitation support.

“Tuloy-tuloy lang. ‘Yung lagi kong sinasabi sa ating mga nagiging biktima, pagka may sakuna kagaya nito, ay lagi kong sinasabi na huwag kayong magdadalawang isip kung anong pangangailangan ninyo, sabihin ninyo sa amin,” the President said during the post disaster situation briefing at the Tarragona Municipal Hall in Davao Oriental.

The President said national agencies would remain on the ground alongside local government units (LGUs) to ensure that affected families receive food, shelter, and medical aid as they rebuild their communities.

“At hindi ito pang minsanan lamang. Hindi kami aalis dito, hindi aalis ang DSWD, ang DOH, ang DPWH, DHSUD, lahat. Wala sa aming aalis dito hangga’t lahat ng mga citizens na natamaan ay nakabalik na sa more or less na normal na buhay,” the Chief Executive added.

“Hindi na nangangailangan ng relief goods, hindi na nangangailangan ng shelter, hindi na nangangailangan ng gamot, at least na emergency. ‘Yun ang ating gagawin. So, that’s our job.”

President Marcos emphasized that the recovery effort would be carried out in close coordination with local officials, noting that LGUs are in the best position to identify the needs of their constituents.

“We have to do this together with the local government. Kasi ang local government talaga ang pinaka-authoritative. Kayo ang nakakaalam kung saan yung problema, alam din ninyo kung ano ‘yung dapat maging solusyon. So, nakikinig kami sa inyo,” the President said.

President Marcos said that displaced residents already have access to food and temporary shelter, but assured them that the national government will continue to provide support until full recovery is achieved. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday ordered the release of financial assistance totaling PhP298 million to local government units (LGUs) in the Davao and Caraga Regions affected by the two powerful earthquakes that struck on October 10.

During his visit to Manay and Tarragona municipalities in Davao Oriental – among the municipalities hardest hit by the quakes – President Marcos announced financial assistance from the Office of the President ranging from PhP15 million to PhP50 million to nine provinces.

The President also ordered the release of financial assistance to 12 affected cities and municipalities, ranging from PhP3 million to PhP15 million.

“It’s up to the LGU kung paano ninyo gagamitin ito,” President Marcos said during the situation briefing he presided over outside the Tarragona Municipal Hall in Davao Oriental.

“The reason binibigay namin itong pondo sa inyo dahil as a former governor I know that lahat ng bawat lugar may kaibahan sa pangangailangan,” added the President, who had served as Ilocos Norte governor.

“And that’s why ang thinking namin, ibigay na lang namin sa inyo ang pondo. Alam ninyo, mas alam ninyo kaysa sa amin ang pangangailangan doon sa area ninyo,” the President added.

The Office of the President has allocated financial assistance to the following affected LGUs: PhP50 million to Davao Oriental; PhP15 million each to the municipalities of Manay, Banaybanay and Lupon; PhP10 million each to Mati City and the municipalities of Tarragona, Baganga, Boston, and Cateel; PhP5 million each to the municipalities of Caraga and San Isidro; and PhP3 million to the municipality of Governor Generoso.

The Office of the President will also provide the following financial assistance: PhP20 million to Agusan del Sur province; PhP15 million to the provinces of Davao de Oro, Davao del Norte and Davao Occidental, Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, and Dinagat Islands, and Davao City.

President Marcos said other affected LGUs will also be provided assistance.

The President also said the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) will release Local Government Support Fund (LGSF) to the provinces affected by the earthquakes.

The President said the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will tap their Quick Response Fund to support the repair of damaged buildings. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is on Ground Zero once again.

After visiting calamity victims in Masbate and Cebu, the Chief Executive flew to Davao Oriental on Monday to personally extend assistance and oversee relief efforts in the areas severely affected by the magnitude 7.4 and 6.8 twin earthquakes off the town of Manay on Friday, October 10.

President Marcos visited the field hospital that was set up outside the Davao Oriental Provincial Hospital (DOPH)- Manay District in Barangay Central in Manay municipality, which is near the epicenter of the 7.4 magnitude and 6.9 magnitude earthquakes.

The only hospital in Manay, the one-storey DOPH was completely damaged by the earthquakes.

President Marcos also inspected the Manay National High School, a public secondary school located in Barangay San Ignacio, Manay.

With 1,321 students in Grades 7 to 12 and 75 teaching and non-teaching personnel, the Manay National High School sustained major damage from the earthquakes as several classrooms and the faculty room were totally damaged.

The Chief Executive also inspected the Regional Evacuation Center in Barangay Central in Tarragona municipality. The evacuation center was assessed unsafe by local authorities and therefore not opened to evacuees.

President Marcos afterwards visited the Tarragona Municipal Grounds Evacuation Center, where makeshift tents were set up in front of the Tarragona Municipal Hall for displaced residents. Around 255 families are currently sheltered at the site.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) provided family food packs, non-food items, and hot meals through the Mobile Kitchen Program to the evacuees.

The DSWD also distributed PhP10,000 financial assistance each to 35 families whose houses were totally damaged.

Outside the Tarragona Municipal Hall, the President conducted a situation briefing with Cabinet members as well as other national and local government officials to direct relief measures for the affected residents.

Immediately after the earthquakes struck Davao Oriental last Friday, President Marcos ordered Cabinet officials to undertake round-the-clock rescue and relief operations. | PND

Malacañang has ordered the rollout of a 10-year plan to boost and protect Filipino artists and creative workers by adopting the Philippine Creative Industries Development Plan (PCIDP) 2025–2034 to strengthen the country’s creative sector — encompassing music, film, design, crafts, and digital media.

Under Memorandum Circular No. 103 signed by Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin on October 7, 2025, the PCID Council (PCIDC) was directed to spearhead the implementation of the PCIDP 2025-2034.

Consistent with Section 8 of Republic Act (RA) No. 11904, or the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act of 2022, the PCIDC shall review the plan every three years from the date it was executed.

To ensure the effective implementation of the PCIDP 2025-2034, Malacañang urged all government offices, instrumentalities, and private sectors to support programs, activities, and projects under the plan.

“In accordance with their respective mandates, all departments, agencies, bureaus, and offices of the National Government, including state universities and colleges, government-owned or -controlled corporations, and government financial institutions, are hereby directed to support the implementation of PCIDP 2025-2034, as well as the programs, activities, and projects specified therein,” MC 103 read.

The funding requirements for PCIDP 2025-2034’s initial implementation shall be charged against the current and available appropriations of the relevant agencies, in accordance with laws and regulations.

Meanwhile, funding for its continued implementation will be included in the agencies’ budget proposals, subject to the usual budget process. | PND

Upon President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive, key Cabinet officials immediately responded in the aftermath of the strong earthquakes that hit Davao region on Friday, prompting a rapid deployment of relief items, road-clearing operations, and emergency shelter efforts.

Immediately after the earthquake, President Marcos directed Cabinet officials, including Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon, Department of Education (DepEd) Sonny Angara and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian, to act swiftly, coordinate closely, and restore normalcy as quickly as possible.

Dizon said the DPWH immediately began road clearing operations in Davao Oriental — the quake’s epicenter — and surrounding provinces including Davao de Oro and Davao del Norte.

As of Saturday, Dizon said national highways are now fully passable, while assessment of damaged hospitals, schools, and homes is underway.

“Kagabi pa lang tinawagan po kami ni Pangulong Marcos para utusan kami to come here today to number one, provide the most immediate relief necessary para sa mga kababayan nating tinamaan, lalo na sa Davao Oriental, yung epicenter ng lindol,” Dizon said in a press conference in Davao City on Saturday together with Angara, Gatchalian and Mindanao Development Authority Secretary Leo Tereso Magno.

“As of today (Saturday) completely passable na po ‘yung ating national highways and pati ‘yung mga provincial and municipal and city roads, kini-clear na rin. At most of them are already passable except ‘yung mga ibang roads natin sa mga bundok na tinamaan ng mga medyo grabe ang landslide,” Dizon added.

The DPWH chief said that while some minor cracks have been observed in bridges and road structures, no major structural damage has been reported so far.

“Tuloy-tuloy yan and mabilis natin papagawa ‘yan kasi sabi nga ni Pangulo, we have to move fast to bring normalcy dun sa situation,” Dizon said.

Meanwhile, Gatchalian assured that the DSWD is fully equipped to support all affected families.

“Before the earthquake, we had 100,000 family food packs pre-positioned in the Davao Region alone. These are ready for immediate distribution,” he said.

Gatchalian added that the DSWD’s repacking centers in Manila and Cebu are continuously producing 25,000 food packs per day, ensuring sustained supply of relief goods. Additional stockpiles in nearby regions like Caraga are also on standby.

He added that the DSWD is working closely with the Philippine Red Cross and local government units to set up temporary shelters for families whose homes were damaged or deemed unsafe.

Large tents are also being deployed for use by hospitals with structural issues to ensure that patients remain safe and protected from the elements.

Gatchalian added that financial assistance for families whose homes sustained partial or total damage is also being prepared.

He emphasized that even with simultaneous disaster relief operations — including the typhoon relief in Masbate and earthquake response in Cebu — the DSWD remains fully capable of addressing urgent needs in the Davao region

“Sa pagdating sa pagkain, alinsunod sa utos ng Pangulo, walang pamilyang apektado ang magugutom. Sisiguraduhin niya ‘yun,” Gatchalian stressed.

Meanwhile, Angara thanked his counterparts for the coordinated response and confirmed that the DepEd has already started assessing school infrastructure damage.

Angara said for minor school repairs, DepEd will release funds directly to the affected regional and division offices.

“For major repairs, we will coordinate with Secretary Vince (Dizon) and DPWH. Kung dati, medyo mahaba ‘yung period between, ngayon binilisan na po namin ‘yung coordination,” Angara said.

DepEd and DPWH are also coordinating to ensure that all damaged school sites will undergo ground safety assessments before any rebuilding takes place to ensure the safety of learners and teachers.

The DepEd is also coordinating with the DSWD in preparing aid for affected teachers and students. | PND