President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
MANILA – President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. believes that he has successfully assembled a “functional” government composed of the best and the brightest Cabinet members during his first 100 days in office.
“I think what we have managed to do in the first 100 days is put together a government that is functional and which has a very, very good idea of what we are targeting in terms of strict economic targets for example, in terms of the numbers of growth, the numbers of our different measures, the different metrics that we are using for the economy,” Marcos said in a press conference during the President’s Night organized by the Manila Overseas Press Club held at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza in Pasay City on Wednesday.
Marcos said he was very grateful to his Cabinet members, particularly his economic managers, for their efforts to put in place plans to “transform” the post-pandemic economy.
As President, he admitted that he was concerned about being regarded as only doing the bare minimum, but instead managed to “galvanize” the government by reminding them of the urgency of working for the betterment of the nation and country.
“I think all of those at least in the higher positions in government and even slowly it's filtering down to the rank and file are beginning to feel that there is a point to government, there is something that we need to be doing,” he said.
Putting out fires
Marcos said his first 50 to 100 days in government focused on “putting out fires”, citing various problems in the agriculture sector such as sugar and fertilizer supply woes.
To date, the Marcos administration has prioritized efforts to secure food sufficiency and post-pandemic growth.
During his recent state visits to Indonesia and Singapore, the Marcos administration promoted agricultural cooperation and encourage trade investment in key sectors.
He said the DA, which he chairs, has also continuously provided production inputs to farmers and fisherfolk, such as high-quality seeds and fertilizers, as well as post-harvest machinery and facilities, including trucks, dryers, and mills, which can potentially contribute to their productivity.
PH standing on its feet
In terms of engagements, Marcos touted renewing and forging contracts with countries he has visited during the first 100 days of his presidency.
“The nice thing is the Philippines has many friends around the world and these contracts and friendships we have been able to renew,” he said.
Marcos also took pride in having shown the world that the Philippines is “standing on its own two feet” during his debut on the international stage -- his attendance at the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.
“We have been able to show that the Philippines is standing on its feet, the Philippines continues to have its aspirations and its dreams, and we are willing to do our part in making those dreams come true…Partnerships once again are going to be important and we invite you to join us,” he said.
He described his recent engagements abroad as a “coming out party" for the Philippines.
“This is the coming out party for the Philippines and we are able to explain what the Philippines is now, this is what the Philippines looks after two and a half years of crisis, this is what the Philippines is doing, and this is how we can help each other because not any one country is going to manage this transformation by themselves and we would need each other’s help,” he added.
The Marcos administration will officially mark his 100 days in office on Oct. 8. (PNA)
