Expanding digital infrastructure beyond Metro Manila, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday led the launch of the AI-ready VITRO Santa Rosa (VSR) Data Center, urging stronger public-private collaboration and innovation to build an inclusive and tech-driven Bagong Pilipinas.

In his speech, President Marcos emphasized the vital role of collaboration between the government and the private sector in advancing the country’s digital transformation.

“Our job in the government is to create the conditions for growth. But real progress comes from partnership—from trust, commitment, and a shared vision,” the President said.

Labelling the Filipino workforce as “the greatest asset,” the President invited investors to explore opportunities in the Philippines’ growing digital economy.

“Let us shape the digital economy together—with the Filipino being your greatest asset,” he said.

The VITRO Santa Rosa Data Center is an AI-ready, hyperscale-capable facility that offers secure digital data storage and access. It serves as a key pillar in expanding the country’s digital infrastructure beyond Metro Manila.

The VSR site is linked to key hubs in the cities of Makati, Parañaque and Pasig through the VITRO Data Center Interconnect (DCI), ensuring seamless network reliability and scalability.

The President hailed the data center as a symbol of the country’s readiness for a digital future and a reflection of the administration’s people-centered approach to technological advancement.

“The launch of this landmark ICT infrastructure is also a testament to the people-centered future we are building—a Philippines where technology and human connection go hand in hand and exist seamlessly,” he said.

“In today’s world, data is as critical as water and electricity. We need to strengthen further our digital infrastructure, especially for critical, private, and confidential data. We need to safeguard our digital identity. We need to secure our digital future,” President Marcos said.

President Marcos cited the country’s progress in the digital sphere, pointing to the Philippines’ improved ranking in the Global Innovation Index — from 56th in 2023 to 53rd in 2024 out of 133 economies.

Despite these gains, the President said the government remains committed to driving further growth through major initiatives, including the National Fiber Backbone Project, expanded free public Wi-Fi, and streamlined processes for energy projects supporting the digital economy.

To complement infrastructure development, the government is also preparing the workforce for future jobs through the implementation of the Digital Workforce Competitiveness Act.

President Marcos expressed his gratitude to the VITRO and ePLDT Group for their confidence and contribution to the country’s digital future.

President Marcos also toured the facility, accompanied by Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Cristina Aldeguer-Roque, PLDT Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Manuel V. Pangilinan, VITRO Inc. President Victor Genuino and other officials.

Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Henry Aguda was also present during the event along with Santa Rosa Mayor Arlene Arcillas. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday fully supported the revival of the national steel mill industry in Northern Mindanao, citing its crucial role in propelling the country’s industrialization.

Speaking during the Regional Development Council of Northern Mindanao (RDC-X) meeting in Cagayan de Oro City on Tuesday, President Marcos said that there are ongoing discussions with both local and foreign groups interested in forming ties to bring the National Steel Corp. back to life.

“There are already discussions among certain groups, both foreign and local, that would ensure a partnership to revive the steel mill,” the President said.

President Marcos said that locally producing steel “is critical for any industrialization that we are planning.”

In December 2024, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and the (RDC-X) hosted “Building the Future: A Forum on the Establishment of an Integrated Steel Mill (ISM) in Northern Mindanao” which assembled leaders and representatives from government agencies, business, local government units, and the academe to discuss a pathway to resuscitate the region’s potentials into transforming itself into a steel powerhouse.

Meanwhile, the President also said that he will instruct the Department of Energy (DOE) to evaluate the capability of the Agus-Pulangi Hydropower Complex (APHC) to supply the necessary power needed to operate a steel mill.

The APHC, located in Maramag, Bukidnon, is composed of seven run-of-river hydropower plants with a total installed capacity of about 1,000 megawatts (MW). However, steel production in Region X would require at least 1,500 MW of consistent power supply.

“I will bring your concerns to Secretary (Raphael) Lotilla of the Department of Energy to see what’s possible. We need to do a technical analysis to determine if we can meet the 1,500 MW power production threshold,” he added.

The members of the RDC pushed for the revival of the 500-hectare property previously occupied by the National Steel Corp., citing its potential to restore the city’s status as the “industrial city of the South” and to create jobs. | PND

23 April 2025 — H.E. ISHIBA Shigeru, Prime Minister of Japan, will undertake an Official Visit to the Philippines on 29-30 April 2025.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos will welcome Prime Minister Ishiba and his spouse, Mrs. Ishiba Yoshiko, in official engagements at Malacañan Palace on 29 April 2025.

The meeting of President Marcos and Prime Minister Ishiba will aim to deepen and improve economic and development cooperation, political and defense engagements, and people-to-people exchanges. Both leaders are also expected to exchange views on regional and global developments, and explore new pathways towards peace and stability under the ‘Strengthened Strategic Partnership’ between the two countries.

The two leaders last met in Vientiane, Lao People’s Democratic Republic on the sidelines of ASEAN Summits in October 2024.

The exchange of high-level visits is a main feature of Philippines-Japan relations. It may be recalled that President Marcos undertook an official visit to Japan in February 2023, which was returned by Japan’s then Prime Minister KISHIDA Fumio in an official visit in November 2023. END

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday led the ceremonial turnover of 91 ambulances, underscoring the government’s continuing commitment to improving access to healthcare services across the country.

The President emphasized the crucial role of ambulance in ensuring timely medical attention, particularly during emergencies.

In a ceremony held in Cagayan de Oro City, President Marcos turned over 85 ambulances or Patient Transport Vehicles (PTVs) for Northern Mindanao and six PTVs for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

He expressed optimism that all local government units nationwide will receive at least one PTV within the next three years.

“Kapag nangyari ito, sa kauna-unahang pagkakataon, masasabi natin 100 percent coverage na lahat ng munisipalidad sa loob lamang ng tatlong taon. Ito’y para sa akin isang tagumpay na hindi pa nagagawa sa ating kasaysayan,” the President said.

The PTV distribution is part of the Medical Transport Vehicle Donation Program of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), President Marcos said.

The President said 570 PTVs have been distributed nationwide (excluding the National Capital Region) since June 2022, with an additional 291 units delivered in 2024.

“Ikinagagalak kong makasama kayo ngayong araw para sa isang napakahalagang layunin—ang paghahatid sa inyo, kasama na ang mga kababayan natin sa Hilagang Mindanao at BARMM, ng mga tinatawag nating Patient Transport Vehicles o PTVs,” President Marcos said.

“Batid naman nating lahat na kapag kalusugan ang pinag-uusapan, ang bawat segundo ay mahalaga. Kaya ang tunay na hamon dito ay kung papaano tayo makarating kaagad sa ospital o kung anong health facility,” he added.

Drawing from his experience as a former local government official, President Marcos acknowledged the logistical challenges faced by remote communities. He recalled instances where ambulances could not reach patients due to the remoteness of an area and the ruggedness of the terrain.

“Kaya naisip namin, hindi pala praktikal ang mga ganyang klaseng PTV lalo na’t nais natin na matulungan ang mga nangangailangan lalo na ‘yung mga nasa malalayo,” he said.

The President said with the previous size and design of the PTVs, there were instances that they couldn’t reach the patient because the roads were too narrow. He noted that patients had to be carried on tricycles just to get past the tight spots before they could be loaded into the ambulance.

The President said the new PTVs were designed specifically to navigate even the most challenging routes in far-flung barangays.

President Marcos urged local government units to take good care of the vehicles entrusted to them.

He also honored the strength and perseverance of the people of Northern Mindanao and BARMM, recognizing their courage in the face of systemic challenges.

“Alam ninyo kung paano nagkulang noon ang sistemang dapat sana ay naging sandigan ninyo sa mas maayos na buhay. Ngunit, ipinakita ninyo sa amin kung papaano bumangon. Kailanman, hindi kayo sumuko,” he said.

The President dedicated the PTVs not just to patients but also to the medical frontliners, including doctors, nurses, drivers, and volunteers.

“Ito po ay para rin sa inyo. Kayo ang mga Bagong Pilipino na may disiplina, may kahusayan, at pagmamahal sa bayan,” he said.

“Nawa’y sa bawat paglakbay ng mga PTVs na ito, makapag-abot tayo ng pag-asa at tulong—anumang oras, saang sulok man ng bansa.” | PND

A local government official led farmers in Misamis Oriental in expressing their gratitude to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for the government’s support to the agricultural sector.

“Let me express my deep appreciation for him to come to Balingasag despite his very busy schedule. Despite the noise going around, he’s still focused. That’s character. And I would like to thank him for that,” said Mayor Alexis Quina, of Balingasag, Misamis Oriental.

“And with his project in place in Balingasag, we are very, very optimistic to have a bright future for our people, not only for Balingasag, but for the province as well. So maraming, maraming salamat po, Mr. President!,” Quina added.

President Marcos led the launching and turnover of agricultural support to farmers in Barangay San Isidro, Balingasag on Tuesday.

Farmers’ cooperatives and associations (FCAs) and local government units (LGUs) from Cagayan de Oro City and Misamis Oriental received various agricultural interventions from the Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Office 10 and its attached agency, the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (DA-PHilMech), and from a public-private partnership focused on accelerating the development of the coconut industry.

Quina said the assistance given is among Chief Executive’s legacy projects.

“And Balingasag is very, very grateful. This will help us a lot in terms of revenue generation, employment, livelihood, especially for our coconut farmers. This is a very, very good project, and we are forever grateful to the President,” Quina said.

For his part, farmer beneficiary Neri Cagaanan, 53, chairman of the Salay Farmers Agriculture Cooperative, also thanked President Marcos on behalf of the farmers.

“Una po, malaking pasasalamat namin dito sa Misamis Oriental. Nabigyan po kami ng magandang facilities. Ito po yung first time na nangyari po (ito) sa Mindanao para po sa pagpapaunlad sa system po sa agriculture, especially sa coconut,” he said.

“Itong project na ito, magbibigay ng mas mataas na kita sa farmers. Nandoon na processing sa system, sa juice, at lahat, lahat na po. Pati na po na gagawin na fertilizer. Sa ating mahal na Presidente maraming salamat po. Two years ago po nag-groundbreaking at natuloy na ngayon,” he added.

The cooperative handles farms planted with coconut, rice, and high value crops. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday said his government is committed to building and developing infrastructure projects “with a heart for people’s comfort, security, and progress.”

The President made the declaration as he led the launching of the P430.39-million Balingoan Port Expansion project in Balingoan, Misamis Oriental.

“Ito po ang diwa ng aming tinatawag na Build Better More: Gumagawa tayo ng mga imprastrakturang may puso para sa ginhawa, seguridad, at pag-angat ng ating mga kababayan,” President Marcos said.

“Ipagdiwang natin ang araw na ito—isang makabuluhang hakbang pasulong, para sa mas maginhawa, mas maayos, at mas maaasahang biyahe para sa bawat Pilipino,” he said.

The Build Better More (BBM) is the infrastructure program of the Marcos administration, which started in 2022 and will continue until 2028.

The President enumerated other port projects under his administration, citing the expansion of the Passenger Terminal Building in the Port of Batangas, which was completed last year.

The terminal can now handle 8,000 passengers, compared to its previous capacity of 2,500 people.

The Currimao Port Expansion and Restoration Project in Ilocos Norte is also part of the initiative, the President said, noting the project intends to strengthen the port facility to accommodate cruise ships that will boost the province’s tourism sector.

In the Visayas, the President said the government started the construction of the New Cebu International Container Port aimed at enhancing trade in the central Philippines.

He added the implementation of the Ormoc Port Expansion Project in Leyte is also ongoing that could improve the port facility in the Eastern Visayas region.

And aside from the Balingoan Port in Mindanao, the government has been carrying out the Plaridel Port Expansion and Improvement Project in Misamis Occidental, with the goal of strengthening inter-island connectivity in the region.

“Ang lahat ng ito ay naglalayong mapaunlad ang ating mga pantalan at mapabuti ang karanasan ng bawat Pilipino,” the President said. “Higit sa pagiging daanan tungo sa mga sentro ng kalakalan, negosyo, at turismo, ang mga pantalan ay isa ring mahalagang tulay tungo sa kaunlaran ng ating bansa.” | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday led the inauguration of the Port Operations Building (POB) under the P430.3-million Balingoan Port Expansion Project in Balingoan, Misamis Oriental.

The Balingoan Port Expansion Project is geared toward boosting the economic and tourism activities in the region.

Speaking during the launching held at the newly completed terminal, President Marcos said that under the Build Better More program, the government is building infrastructures aimed at improving public convenience, comfort, security, and general progress.

“Sa pagsasaayos natin sa pasilidad na ito, asahan natin na lalakas ang turismo, bubuhos ang negosyo, lalago ang ekonomiya, at higit sa lahat, mas gaganda ang kabuhayan ng mga taga Misamis Oriental,” President Marcos said.

“Isa lamang po ito sa aming mga proyekto at sa aming mga ginagawa upang gawing makabago ang mga pantalan sa ating kapuluan.”

The newly-inaugurated Port Operations Building spans 3,082.50 square meters and features a single-level, high-ceiling design that can accommodate up to 500 seated passengers. This is a 233 percent increase from the old terminal’s 150-passenger capacity.

The terminal’s modern features include passenger lounge areas, gender-inclusive restrooms, childcare and play areas, food concession spaces, and prayer rooms, enhancing travelers’ convenience and comfort.

Under the expansion project, the back-up area, an additional roll-on/roll-off ramp, and expanded cargo handling capabilities were also constructed and widened.

With the improvements, the port now has the capacity to berth up to five to six RoRo (roll-on/roll-off vessels) simultaneously, significantly reducing congestion and long queues of cargo and passenger vehicles.

Strategically located 84 kilometers from Cagayan de Oro City, the Balingoan port serves as a vital transport and economic hub connecting Northern Mindanao with Camiguin and Bohol.

The development of the Port of Balingoan could also strengthen the Northern Mindanao’s tourism landscape, offering travelers greater access to some of Misamis Oriental’s lesser-known yet captivating destinations.

Last year, the port recorded over 6,102 ship calls, surpassing pre-pandemic figures, with RoRo traffic exceeding 109,000 and passenger traffic reaching more than 671,000. | PND

In a sectoral meeting in Malacañang on DICT’s programs and projects, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday recognized the need to have a strong mechanism to combat misinformation and disinformation, in light of rapidly evolving digital technologies.

President Marcos acknowledged that regulating online platforms would be challenging, considering that any proposed regulation will be weighed against the right to freedom of expression.

The President expressed support to the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and the Presidential Communications Office (PCO)’s anti-fake news campaign. However, he also emphasized that any measure should be clear as to what is being regulated and how the regulation will be undertaken without infringing on this fundamental right.

DICT Secretary Henry Rhoel Aguda echoed the President’s concerns, stressing the importance of a firm national position to counter online falsehoods. He also highlighted that the right to free expression carries with it special duties and responsibilities and may be subject to certain restrictions under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Aguda was optimistic the local media industry will back the administration’s initiative, as journalists play a vital role in promoting truth in the digital landscape.

For his part, PCO Secretary Jay C. Ruiz assured President Marcos that the PCO has developed an operational framework to identify websites and online content that disseminate false information.

The PCO committed to continue coordinating with the CICC in order to speed up actions against fake news proliferation on various platforms.

President Marcos expressed hope that the government can make meaningful progress in addressing the issue, noting the fight against disinformation is a continuous and evolving challenge. | PND

Malacanang said on Monday that it hopes the visit to the US of Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs Secretary Frederick Go in early May will yield good results.

In a press briefing, Presidential Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said
“we should always be hopeful dahil ang mundo natin at ang bansa natin ay hindi kulay itim.”

“Sa kasalukuyan po ay nagkakaroon ng meeting ng economic team, para po itong malamang na ilalahad sa kanilang pagpupulong sa darating na Mayo,” she said.

US President Donald Trump announced on April 2 the imposition of reciprocal tariffs which may affect Southeast Asian economies.

The Philippines was slapped with 17 percent tariff, although much lower levy compared to its Southeast Asian neighbors.

Trump later on announced a 90-day pause with a universal lowered reciprocal tariff of 10 percent.

Tariffs on goods from China however spiked to 145 percent. | PND

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) vowed to ensure the safety and integrity of the May 12 midterm elections through the strengthening of the country’s digital infrastructure for elections.

“Sa digital bayanihan sisiguraduhin ng DICT na ligtas ang halalan, at ang boto ng bawat Pilipino ay mananatiling sagrado,” Presidential Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said during a Malacañang press briefing on Monday.

Castro said the DICT and the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Advisory Council (CAC) had a meeting last week, which tackled the conduct of safe and credible elections amid the increasing threats in the digital space.

“Ang CAC na binubuo ng iba’t ibang sektor ay regular na nagpupulong para talakayin ang mga isyung may kinalaman sa halalan. Pinag-usapan din ang digital at automated election systems at mga rekomendasyon para sa COMELEC,” Castro said.

The key part of the initiative Digital Bayanihan is the collaboration with various technology giants, including TikTok, Google, and Meta which now implement a ban on paid political advertisements on their platforms, Castro said.

The DICT said Google has implemented the ban since the start of the official campaign period to support the goal of a clean and fair election.

Castro cited the agencies’ initiative to establish “Configuration Hubs” for a much more streamlined elections process. These agencies will also develop online tools such as precinct results finder, registration status verifier, and website for real time monitoring of election results and access to election data, she added.

“Kasama rin dito ang cybersecurity initiatives tulad ng vulnerability testing, security protocols, at paggamit ng Philippine National Public Key Infrastructure o PNPKI digital certificates para sa mga guro na magsisilbing electoral board members,” Castro said. | PND