President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. reiterated his policy that the Philippines does not start hostilities in the West Philippine Sea but stands ready to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

In the last part of the BBM Podcast Episode 2 aired on Saturday, the President maintained that the Philippines makes sure to protect Filipino fishermen from harassment within the country’s waters.

“Hindi naman tayo nakikipag-away. Pero huwag niyong binabangga ‘yung mga mangingisda, hindi ba? Huwag niyo kaming hinaharang dun sa teritoryo namin. Iyon ipaglalaban talaga namin ‘yan,” President Marcos said.

“Because kung ibigay mo ‘yan, like they say: You give them an inch, they will take a mile.’ So you cannot allow it even the one inch,” the President stressed.

President Marcos said history will show that under his administration, the Philippines defended and protected its territory in the West Philippine Sea.

“We did not yield. We continue to protect the sovereignty of the Republic. We continue to defend the territory of the Republic. And we continue to protect and defend the people of the Republic,” the Chief Executive stressed.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and other government agencies have reported several cases of Chinese vessels harassing Filipino vessels within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

PCG spokesman Commodore Jay Tarriela reported that on Friday morning, China Coast Guard vessels harassed and used water cannon on vessels of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) to obstruct efforts to provide support and subsidies to Filipino fishermen at Panatag Shoal off Zambales.

Also called Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal, Panatag Shoal is located well within the Philippines’ EEZ.

The BFAR vessels avoided significant damage and continued their mission to protect the rights and provide support to the local fishermen, according to the PCG. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday visited the Philippine Pavilion at the World Expo Osaka 2025 for a “multisensory celebration of culture, creativity and sustainability designed to leave a lasting impression on the global stage.”

A crowd favorite in the Expo, the Philippine Pavilion has welcomed over 300,000 visitors in just two months, showcasing the living expression of the Philippines’ stories and spirit.

Carrying the theme, “Nature, Culture, and Community: Woven Together for a Better Future,” the Philippine Pavilion responded to the Expo’s call for “Designing a Future Society for Our Lives” by placing heritage and humanity at the heart of progress.

On the second day of his working visit to Japan, the President was given a guided walk-through inside the Philippine Pavilion that features the largest collaboration of Filipino weavers, with over 200 handwoven panels created by master artisans from across the country.

Each piece of indigenous textile- from T’nalak to piña- tells a story of culture, identity and generational knowledge.

The woven panels also form part of a dynamic facade that opens throughout the day to reveal live performances, the first-ever live performance facade at a World Expo for the Philippines.

The architecture itself becomes a living stage where design and dance are seamlessly integrated, transporting visitors to different parts of the archipelago and offering a glimpse into the soul of each community.

From the Philippine Pavilion, President Marcos visited the circular structure of the Japan Pavilion that carries the theme, “Between Lives.”

Embodying the cycle of life, it features a biogas power generation using food waste from the Expo site and other cutting-edge Japanese carbon recycling technologies to create a cyclical loop and inspire visitors to adopt sustainable behaviors for a sustainable society. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. announced on Friday that leading shipbuilder, Tsuneishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. will build the world’s first methanol dual-fuelled KAMSARMAX bulk carrier in Cebu.

“The future of shipbuilding is taking shape in the Philippines,” President Marcos said in a statement posted on social media.

“With Japan’s Tsuneishi Holdings, we’re building the world’s first Methanol Dual-Fuelled KAMSARMAX Bulk Carrier at our Cebu facility, a game changer for clean and smart shipping. It’s proof of what we can achieve through innovation, strong partnerships and the talent of the Filipino workforce” the President added.

President Marcos met with leaders from Tsuneishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. on the second day of his working visit in Osaka, Japan.

One of the world’s leading shipbuilders, Tsuneishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. accounts for a significant share of the international market for medium-sized bulk carriers.

The company specializes in building bulk carriers, container ships, and tankers, and operates shipyards in the Philippines, Japan, and China with business offices across Asia and Europe.

Tsuneishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. is among the first to start research and development of methanol-fueled bulk carriers, a significant step towards having zero emission ships.

A methanol dual-fuelled KAMSARMAX bulk carrier is a large cargo ship that can run on both methanol and conventional fuels, resulting in reduced emissions compared to traditional vessels.

Strengthening its presence in the Philippines, Tsuneishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. is entering the fifth phase of expansion of its shipyard in Balamban, Cebu with investments on new capital equipment and enhanced research and development capabilities. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. announced on Friday the investment plan by Japan’s Kanadevia Corporation for a Waste-to-Energy (WtE) project aimed at transforming Manila’s waste problem through sustainable, large-scale energy recovery.

“I’m pleased to share that we are working with Japan’s Kanadevia Corporation on a landmark Waste-to-Energy project for Manila. This initiative will turn thousands of tons of waste into clean energy, reduce flooding, create jobs and help clean up communities,” President Marcos said in a statement posted on social media.

On the second day of his working visit in Osaka, Japan, President Marcos met with company executives and discussed Kanadevia Corporation’s investment plan for the Waste-to-Energy project in partnership with Phil. Ecology Systems Corp. (PhilEco).

PhilEco is a major player in the design, construction, and operation of integrated solid waste management and disposal facilities in the Philippines.

Meanwhile, the Osaka-headquartered Kanadevia Corporation specializes in high-tech environmental systems, including advanced facilities that turn waste into energy, make seawater potable, and treat wastewater.

Kanadevia Corporation will be the Waste-to-Energy project’s Japanese proponent, co-investor, and technology provider.

Located in Smokey Mountain, the Manila Waste-to-Energy project is a groundbreaking and strategic infrastructure initiative that will address several national priorities including better waste disposal system, power generation, generation of foreign direct investments, jobs creation, and environmental sustainability.

Following the meeting, the President also met with leaders from Tsuneishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., one of the world’s leading shipbuilders.

A globally recognized Japanese shipbuilder since 1917, Tsuneishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. accounts for a significant share of the international market for medium-sized bulk carriers.

The company specializes in building bulk carriers, container ships, and tankers, and operates shipyards in the Philippines, Japan, and China with business offices across Asia and Europe.

Strengthening its presence in the country, Tsuneishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. is entering the fifth phase of expansion of its shipyard in Balamban, Cebu with investments on new capital equipment and enhanced research and development capabilities. | PND

In line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s order to go after big sources of illegal drugs, Malacañang on Friday commended the Philippine Navy for the seizure of PhP10 billion worth of suspected shabu off the coast of Zambales.

“Tinatayang nasa 1.5 tons ang bigat ng hinihinalang shabu. Tinawag naman itong isa sa pinakamalaking illegal drug apprehension sa kasaysayan ng Philippine Navy,” Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in a press briefing.

“Saludo po kami sa inyong patuloy na pagsuporta sa ating paglaban sa droga,” Castro added.

President Marcos has ordered law enforcement agencies to intensify the anti-drug campaign and run after big sources of illegal drugs, then quickly destroy the confiscated narcotics so these will not find their way to the streets.

The Philippine Navy reported intercepting the illegal drugs from a fishing vessel manned by four Filipinos and a foreign national in the waters off Zambales early morning of Friday.

In a briefing at the Philippine Navy headquarters in Manila, Commodore Edward Ike De Sagon, chief of the Northern Luzon Naval Command, said the seizure was carried out with members of the Philippine Drug Agency (PDEA).

During the past few weeks, authorities have seized nearly 1,300 kilos of shabu worth around PhP8.7 billion. The illegal drugs were turned over by fishermen who found them in sealed packages left floating in waters off Zambales, Pangasinan, Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, and Cagayan. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. wants to raise the train fare discount for those aged 60 years old and above from 20 percent to 50 percent, matching the discount rate given to students.

In the latest podcast interview aired on Friday, President Marcos said other countries give fare discounts to senior citizens and students.

“These are the sectors of the society na hirap sa cash. Walang pera ang estudyante usually. ‘Yung mga matatanda, kakaunti lang ang hawak nilang pera. So, bakit pa natin pababayarin? They already served the country, na nagtrabaho sila ng buong buhay nila eh dapat naman bigyan natin ng kaunting benepisyo ‘yun ‘di ba?” the President said.

Upon the directive of President Marcos, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) increased the discount for all students from 20 percent to 50 percent for LRT-1, LRT-2, and MRT-3 beginning June 20.

The increased student discount is available to all students, including those enrolled in postgraduate studies and law school programs, according to the DOTR. They only need to show their identification cards for the current school year.

The discount is applicable every day, including weekends and holidays. | PND

Expressing deep concern over the hardships faced by commuters due to long travel hours, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. found the initial plan to close EDSA for two years to undergo repairs simply unacceptable.

“Two years ng pagdudusa. Hindi mo naman puwedeng gawin sa tao ‘yun,” President Marcos said in his latest podcast interview aired on Friday.

“Hindi ko matanggal-tanggal sa pag-iisip ko iyong nasa kotse ka, nasa EDSA, makikita mo alas-dose na ng gabi, ang haba pa ng pila naghihintay ng bus. Tapos pag uwi nun, gigising ng alas-kuwatro ‘yon. Maghihintay na naman ng bus para makapasok ng alas syete, alas otso. Sinasabi ko hindi puwedeng ganyan. Napakahirap na, tapos daragdagan pa natin ng kahirapan,” the President said.

President Marcos has ordered concerned government agencies to thoroughly and carefully study plans to rehabilitate EDSA as well as to mitigate the impact of the main thoroughfare’s closure.

The Chief Executive reiterated his order to make use of technological advancements to fast-track the EDSA rehabilitation.

“Siguro naman may mga bagong sistema diyan na hindi nating kailangan isara o kung ‘yung gagawin ay hindi dalawang taon. So sabi ko, itigil muna natin. Pag-isipan natin mabuti. Hanap tayo ng bagong technology. There are new technologies,” the President said.

“I am very happy with the decision. Mukhang kakayanin na hindi dalawang taon,” said the President.

On June 1, the President ordered the Department of Public Works and Highways and the Department of Transportation to suspend the EDSA rehabilitation project which was scheduled to begin this month.

President Marcos has stated that the EDSA rehabilitation will not commence until solid rerouting plans are in place. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. expressed support for the No Contact Apprehension Policy (NCAP) being implemented by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), saying the program promotes discipline on the road and helps curb corruption among traffic enforcers.

“In principle, agree ako diyan sa No Contact (Apprehension Policy), agreed ako diyan. Maganda ang layunin niyan,” President Marcos said in the third part of his BBM Podcast Episode 2 aired on Friday.

The President said the policy aims to discourage motorists from committing traffic violations and from bribing traffic enforcers.

Under NCAP which resumed on May 26, closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras installed around Metro Manila monitor traffic violations and impose fines on motorists without physical interaction with traffic enforcers.

“Ang layunin niyan is masundan ang rules of the road na hindi tayo kung ano-ano ‘yung ginagawa natin,” President Marcos added.

On fears that NCAP would promote corruption since the MMDA may indiscriminately impose fines on motorists, the President said the opposite is true.

“Bawas ‘yan sa korapsyon,” the Chief Executive said, pointing out that NCAP would prevent enforcers from receiving bribes from traffic violators. At the same time, the policy would discourage erring motorists from bribing enforcers.

“Magsabi na tayo ng totoo. ‘Pag hinuli ka ng pulis, ‘Lisensya mo.’ May nakasiksik na doon sa lisensya mo mga dalawang daan, limang daan. Baka malaki na. ‘Mag-ingat ka, huwag mo nang uulitin.’ Pero nasuhulan mo na,” President Marcos said.

“Ito, it will be based solely kung ano ‘yung nasa picture. Magbabayad siya ng multa. Hindi binibigay sa kahit na anong tao. It’s straight to the system,” the President added. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. met with key Japanese tourism stakeholders on the second day of his working visit to Osaka, Japan, reaffirming the Philippines’ commitment to enhancing infrastructure and connectivity to boost tourism and improve the travel experience of Japanese tourists.

“Today I met with Japanese tourism leaders who are helping us welcome more visitors than ever before, with 214 weekly flights connecting Japan and the Philippines,” the President shared in a post on Instagram.

“We are working to create more jobs for our people, help more businesses grow, and ensure more communities feel the impact of a strong tourism sector,” President Marcos added.

President Marcos expressed gratitude for Japan’s continued support as a vital partner in Philippine tourism.

The meeting brought together major players in Japan’s travel and tourism sector as well as the Philippines, including the Japan Tourism Agency (JTA), Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA) Kansai / JTB West Japan Area Representative, Japan Philippines Tourism Council (JPTC), Kansai Regional Division, HIS Co., Ltd., Nippon Travel Agency, Hankyu Travel International Co., Ltd., Kansai Airports, Philippine Airlines (PAL), and Cebu Pacific.

In an interview with Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, who accompanied the President during his trip, she underscored the importance of the meeting citing the “very instrumental” role of the Japanese tourism stakeholders in maintaining Japan as being one of the country’s top inbound markets. Japan is currently ranked third, according to Frasco.

Frasco said the President assured stakeholders of continued infrastructure development, including the ongoing privatization and enhancement of key airports like the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and regional hubs, with the goal of increasing direct access for international visitors.

“This was received very well by our Japanese stakeholders, especially considering that our data shows that the Japanese travelers favor Cebu, Palawan, Boracay, Bohol. And are also very interested in other emerging island destinations across the country,” she said.

Frasco said in addition to expanding over 700 kilometers of tourism roads, the Philippines is aggressively restoring and enhancing air connectivity.

She stressed that since connectivity between Japan and the Philippines “has now fully recovered,” the DOT will undertake steps to further deepen partnerships with tourism stakeholders to encourage Japanese tourists to stay longer and visit the country more frequently.

Meanwhile, Frasco said that the President also highlighted the growing demand for experiential tourism during the meeting.

She expressed gratitude to the President for citing the DOT’s Philippine Experience: Heritage, Culture, and Arts Caravans being a key initiative in showcasing the country’s diverse offerings—from beaches and mountains to rich festivals, cuisine, music, and indigenous cultures.

“All of these unique components of Philippine tourism that are emerging as strong value propositions for travel from the Japanese market to the Philippines,” she said.

The President’s meeting with Japanese tourism stakeholders reaffirms the Marcos administration’s prioritization of tourism as a driver of inclusive growth, with Japan remaining a key partner in the Philippines’ economic recovery and development. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has given agencies working on the rehabilitation of San Juanico Bridge to reopen the bridge by December to heavy vehicles weighing up to 12 tons.

“Ang schedule namin dapat by December, before the end of the year, ang puwede nang gamitin ng sasakyan hanggang 12 tons,” the President said in his latest podcast interview aired on Friday.

“That’s a test. Sabi ko ‘pag hindi niyo natapos ‘yan, tatanggapin ko ‘yung resignation niyo,” added the President.

Since May, San Juanico Bridge was closed to all vehicles exceeding 3 tons while the rehabilitation is ongoing.

President Marcos acknowledged the hardships caused on residents and businesses by decades of neglect and lack of proper maintenance of the vital bridge linking Leyte and Samar.

“Nagulat ang aming mga engineers. Sabi nila, ‘malala na pala ito.’ Dahil ‘yung maintenance sa nakaraang ilang dekada hindi naman ginawa. Sabi ko, bakit? Wala bang record ‘yan? May record naman. Lahat nung job order completed. Pero tingnan mo, puro kalawang. Hindi nila ginawa,” said the President.

The residents themselves confirmed that the bridge did not undergo maintenance work.

President Marcos himself talked to affected residents, truck drivers and suppliers during his visit to Samar port on June 11. As an emergency measure, the President ordered a roll-on, roll-off (RORO) cargo ferry system to reroute heavy vehicles, giving priority to trucks transporting perishable goods.

“Sorry na nangyari ito at alam ko ang nararanasan ninyo, nararanasan ng mga transport operators, ang nararanasan ng ating mga negosyante. Kaya’t aasahan ninyo talagang minamadali namin na maayos kaagad ito. And we’ll make sure that you will be safe. We will bring the services of San Juanico back to normal,” said the President. | PND