Mandaluyong city: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. emphasized his administration's commitment to ensuring that public funds are used effectively for the benefit of Filipinos, declaring that inefficiency, wastage, and corruption in government spending will not be tolerated.
According to Philippines News Agency, during his address at the Philippine Development Forum (PDF) 2025 in Mandaluyong City, Marcos articulated that the national budget serves as both a 'moral and economic compass' aimed at improving citizens' lives. He stressed that every peso of public money must contribute to advancing the welfare of Filipino families, particularly those in farming communities. Marcos made it clear that measurement without action and the squandering of public funds would not be accepted.
The President's remarks align with his ongoing efforts to combat entrenched corruption, particularly in public works and flood control projects. He highlighted education as the government's primary investment, noting that the Department of Education has received the largest allocation in the proposed 2026 national budget. Marcos underscored the importance of classrooms, teacher training, and school feeding programs as foundational elements for lasting progress, urging agencies to expedite the construction and rehabilitation of classrooms.
Marcos also announced reforms aimed at improving the use of Official Development Assistance (ODA). These reforms include new guidelines for the Investment Coordination Committee and measures to reduce bureaucratic delays. He acknowledged that funding alone is insufficient and emphasized the need to address critical bottlenecks and systemic challenges to optimize ODA utilization.
The PDF 2025 gathered development partners and government officials under the theme 'Bringing Together Progress for All: Services that Matter, Results that Last'. The forum addressed updates on the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028 and the country's transition toward upper middle-income status. While the forum will conclude with a joint declaration, Marcos emphasized that its true value lies in achieving real change, impact, and progress. He called for collective action to shape a strong, fair, and future-ready Bagong Pilipinas.
