Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday touted the country's better economic condition and reiterated the government's commitment to further improve the lives of Filipinos. "Kung datos lang ang pag-uusapan, maganda ang ating ekonomiya at tumaas ang kumpiyansa ng mga negosyante. Bumaba ang inflation, at dumami rin ang trabaho," Marcos said in his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA).
According to Philippines News Agency, the latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed that inflation settled at 1.4 percent in June this year as government measures helped ease food prices. The number of employed Filipinos, meanwhile, went up to 50.29 million in May this year from 48.87 million in the same month in 2024.
Marcos emphasized that despite these positive indicators, they are meaningless if Filipinos continue to struggle with their daily lives. He pledged to ramp up efforts to provide more employment opportunities, stating, "Maayos na hanapbuhay talaga ang mabisang pantiyak laban sa kahirapan at laban sa gutom."
The President highlighted the roles of various government agencies, including the Department of Labor and Employment, the Department of Trade and Industry, and the Department of Social Welfare and Development, in creating opportunities for unemployed Filipinos. He also mentioned plans to provide funding with low interest rates and no collateral to entrepreneurs, support intellectual property, and offer free training and capital to lift people out of poverty.
Marcos stated, "Hindi tayo titigil hanggang halos dalawa't kalahating milyong maralitang pamilya ang natulungan nating magkaroon ng kanilang sariling maliit na negosyo." He also outlined plans to expand industries such as car manufacturing, electronics, biotechnology, and pharmaceuticals.
Additionally, Marcos called on businesses to invest in the Philippines, especially in the agriculture sector, sending a message to the international business community that the country is ready for investment. He assured that the workforce in the Philippines is dependable, hardworking, and ready to succeed in collaboration with global partners.
