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

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. welcomed the newly designated ambassadors of Chile and China in a formal presentation of credentials ceremony at Malacañan Palace on Thursday.

President Marcos received the letters of credence of His Excellency Felipe Alejandro Diaz Ibañez, Ambassador of the Republic of Chile; and of His Excellency Jing Quan, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China.

The President said he looked forward to working with the new ambassadors.

Welcoming Chile’s new envoy, President Marcos expressed confidence that Philippine-Chile bilateral relations will continue to strengthen.

“We are happy that an old friend of the Philippines has returned and the long and very fine relationship between our two countries will continue, and we would continue to promote an even longer and even closer relationship between our two countries,” President Marcos said.

Ambassador Diaz served as consul at the Embassy of Chile in the Philippines from 2003 to 2008.

In receiving the credentials of China’s new envoy, President Marcos said China is one of the Philippines’ most important friends and partners in the world.

“I’m sure that there will be many opportunities for us to make the relationship between our two countries stronger, deeper and more important as the years go by,” said the President.

“I look forward to working with you in managing the differences and intensifying the cooperation between our two countries. Our differences should be the exception in our ties rather than the norm,” the President added.

The new ambassadors pledged to dedicate their efforts towards the deepening of the bilateral cooperation and friendly relations between the Philippines and their respective countries.

Ambassadors officially begin their diplomatic tenure by presenting credentials, an act that underscores a shared commitment to strengthening bilateral ties and fostering international cooperation.

The Philippines formalized diplomatic relations with Chile in 1946, and with China in 1975. | PND

“May nagawa ka, nagbago yung buhay ng tao. Can you imagine? Binago mo yung buhay ng tao. What a privilege to be able to do that.”

Thus declared President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., who reminded aspiring public servants that genuine service to the people is the only “one right reason” to enter politics, reflecting on the challenges and rewards of public service.

President Marcos said that improving the lives of others and uplifting communities is the greatest reward of public service.

In the latest BBM Podcast which aired on Thursday, the President was asked by a college student the one thing he wished he had known before entering public service.

“I think you are well guided so long as you enter politics for the right reason. And there’s only one right reason: to serve,” said President Marcos.

“There’s no other correct reason. It’s a thankless job, that’s for sure. But it’s worth it. You know, it’s worth it,” President Marcos added.

Reflecting on what makes public service meaningful, the President emphasized that the true reward lies not in recognition or position but in the impact one has on others’ lives.

The Chief Executive said the greatest fulfillment comes from seeing real change—change that one personally helped bring about—whether for an individual, a community, or the nation.

“You know, when you see something change for the good that you made it, you made it happen, that changes your world. There’s nothing better. There’s nothing better than to help somebody outside of yourself. Outside yourself, outside your family, your community, your country,” the President said.

“I’m happy to be here because you’re given again the privilege to help, to do something, to help people’s lives. That’s the biggest privilege that anyone can give

you. If you’re in public service, that’s the most, that’s a golden,” the President added.

When asked what he wanted to have this Christmas that is hard to achieve even in his position, President Marcos said he wished for a good 2026 national budget.

“I don’t know how specific you want to get, but that for Christmas that the legislature will provide us a good budget. That will make for a very nice Christmas,” the President said. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. underscored the administration’s commitment to building a fair, transparent, and investor-friendly business environment in the country during the Job Fair + Skills E-Hub held at the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City on Thursday.

Addressing job seekers and entrepreneurs, President Marcos said improving the country’s business climate is essential to generating more employment and attracting investments both local and international.

“Be assured that this Administration will continue to create a fair, transparent, and enabling business environment—one that encourages both local and foreign investments, and rewards persistence with progress,” President Marcos said.

The President stressed that the close partnership between the government and the private sector “has proven to be one of the strongest drivers of national development,” especially in creating jobs, providing skills training, and supporting Filipino workers and entrepreneurs.

President Marcos noted that since 2023, the government’s partnership with the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) through Trabaho Para sa Bayan: J.O.B.S. (Job Opportunities Building Skills) has organized over 5,000 job fairs nationwide, reached 1.3 million job seekers, and helped at least 200,000 individuals get hired on the spot.

“In these times, when many Filipinos are having a hard time finding employment that matches their skills, their interests, and their aspirations, we recognize that this is our responsibility to ensure that assistance is something that meets them wherever they are,” the President said.

“Kaya po nandito tayo ngayon upang gawing mas madali, abot-kamay, at makabuluhan ang pagkakataong maghanap ng trabaho, madagdagan ang kasanayan, at magsimula ang kabuhayan,” President Marcos added.

Through the partnership of SM, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), President Marcos said the government was able to organize the Job Fair and Skills e-Hub at MOA, while DOLE simultaneously conducted job fairs in eight other sites nationwide.

“This hub brings together a large-scale job fair and digital upskilling… Our partners from the Asia Pacific College, the National University, and IBM are here to showcase their digital upskilling stations and demonstrate AI training—proof once again that the Filipino worker can and should not only adapt to the digital future but thrive in that digital future,” the President said.

In addition, the President said the government and its private partners are also hosting a holiday micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME) bazaar at Ayala Malls by the Bay, celebrating Filipino entrepreneurship, and a one-stop service hub at Robinsons Manila featuring job fairs, mentoring sessions, and government service centers and assistance programs.

Meanwhile, President Marcos announced DOLE’s release of financial assistance to qualified beneficiaries under the Tulong Pang-hanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program, giving immediate relief to affected workers.

In addition to the TUPAD payout, the agency distributed 19 sacks of rice to several bigasan enterprises to serve as seed capital and to boost their daily operations.

DOLE also awarded financial assistance checks to five (MSMEs) under its Adjustment Measures Program, said the President.

“We hope that government assistance would help you grow your business, improving enterprise viability, competitiveness, and productivity,” President Marcos said.

The President then encouraged job seekers to make the most of the opportunities available at the event. He reminded them that the job market is changing quickly and that learning new skills will help them stay competitive.

President Marcos also urged entrepreneurs to show the creativity and innovation of Filipino businesses and use the occasion “to build partnerships, explore new ideas, and envision bigger possibilities.”

“None of this would be possible without the support of the private sector, including our mall partners and the PSAC,” President Marcos said.

“Sa tulong ninyong lahat, napapalapit natin ang mga oportunidad sa bawat Pilipino upang magkaroon ang bawat isa ng mas maginhawa, mas maunlad, at mas masaganang buhay,” the President added. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. expressed hope that succeeding administrations will build on the structural reforms initiated under his leadership and institutionalize them for the public’s benefit.

“My hope and the reason the structural change is important is because kahit wala na ako rito, sana ‘yung mga pagbabagong nasimulan namin o na tumatakbo na, magtuloy-tuloy na para hindi na matanggal,” President Marcos in the latest episode of the PBBM Podcast aired on Thursday.

“Do it (structural change) in such a way that it will continue, it will even get better, especially if we choose our presidents well,” the President said during a conversation with college 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 that the current situation “is a different, different world” and present leaders do not do things the same way like what past leaders were doing, for instance in the 1970s or 1980s.

The President admitted spending hours each day brainstorming with his advisers, exploring out-of-the-box ideas to serve the Filipino people better.

“Every day, we spend hours with my advisers thinking, think out of the box. Stop thinking the same old way. It doesn’t work anymore,” President Marcos said.

When asked if there was anything he would have done differently from the decisions made by his father, the late President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr., during his term, the President said he learned many lessons from his father that he still applies today.

“I think the basic thing that I learned from my father is don’t stop. If you believe in something that you are doing for the country, for your people, do not stop,” the President emphasized.

“You will have to sacrifice. Ganyan talaga ang trabaho. You will have to sacrifice. Masasaktan ka. You will have to make sacrifices, but don’t stop. You will fail. You have to stand up again. Don’t stop,” President Marcos added.

While President Marcos sat down with journalists in previous podcast episodes, the latest PBBM Podcast shifted to a more informal exchange that highlighted the voices and concerns of the Filipino youth. | PND

Pinangunahan ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. nitong Miyerkules ang groundbreaking ng Korea Agricultural Machinery Industry Complex (KAMIC) sa Nueva Ecija — ang kauna-unahang malakihang pagawaan ng makinaryang pang-agrikultura sa bansa na inaasahang magpapalakas sa lokal na mekanisasyon sa pagsasaka, magpapataas ng produktibidad, at magpapababa ng pagdepende sa mga inaangkat na kagamitan.

Sa ginanap na groundbreaking ceremony sa Kalikid Golf Course sa Cabanatuan City, kinilala ng Pangulo ang mga sakripisyo at hamong kinakaharap ng mga magsasakang Pilipino, at binibigyang-diin na ang kanilang mga pagsubok ay nararapat gawan ng mga solusyong pangmatagalan at madaling maabot.

Binigyang-diin ng Pangulo na ang produksiyon ng makabagong makinarya ng KAMIC ay may mahalagang papel sa modernisasyon ng operasyon ng mga magsasaka at pagpapagaan ng kanilang trabaho.

“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 (Ang KAMIC ay ang kauna-unahang agricultural machinery production complex sa bansa. Layon nitong pagtibayin ang ating kakayahan na makagawa at makapagbuo ng mga kagamitang pang-agrikultura,” ayon sa Pangulo.

“Designed with Filipino farmers in mind, these tools will help increase production, improve crop quality, and ultimately raise the income of our farmers (Ito ang mga makinaryang angkop sa ating pangangailangan upang mapataas ang produksyon at mapaganda ang kalidad ng ani nang sa gayon, mapalaki ang kita ng mga magsasaka sa ating bansa),” dagdag pa ng Pangulo.

Binigyang-diin din ng Pangulo na sa pamamagitan ng KAMIC, hindi na kailangang maghintay ng mga magsasaka para sa inaangkat na piyesa o gumastos ng sobra para sa mahal na kagamitan.

“No more farmers left behind in farming technology. The importance of mechanization in agriculture cannot be overstressed (Wala nang magsasakang mapag-iiwanan pagdating sa teknolohiyang pansakahan. Napakahalaga ng mekanisasyon sa agrikultura),” ayon sa Pangulo.

Nagpahayag din ng pasasalamat si Pangulong Marcos sa South Korea sa kanilang pamumuhunan sa bansa, sabay pagtiyak na poprotektahan ng pamahalaan ang kanilang mga inilagak na investment.

“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 brings technology and hope to these individuals who nourish and sustain us,” ang sabi ng Pangulo.

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

May kabuuang pamumuhunang USD100 milyon, itatayo ang KAMIC sa 20-ektaryang lupain na pagmamay-ari ng lokal na pamahalaan sa Barangay Kalikid Sur, Cabanatuan City.

Ang pasilidad ay gagawa ng makinaryang pang-agrikultura gaya ng traktora at seeder na angkop sa kalagayan ng pagsasaka sa Pilipinas. | PND