PBBM VOWS TO PROVIDE ‘BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE’

CABINET EXECS: MARCOS ADMIN’S 1ST YEAR A CRITICAL PIVOT TOWARD FULL ECONOMIC RECOVERY

By Charles Dantes

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr., at the start of his second year in office on Saturday, said the government will do its best to give everyone a “better quality of life” so that no one is left hungry.

“With the local government focusing on all aspects of your daily life that we have identi fied in the national agenda, we can look for ward to a boost in local businesses, improved daily transactions and an overall better quality of life,” the president said at the 56th founding anniversary of the province of Davao del Sur.

Marcos tasked the National Anti-Poverty Commission during its en banc meeting to lo cate “depressed and remote communities” and address long-standing issues with poverty. He also ordered other government agencies to “synchronize” their efforts to efficiently use re sources in combating poverty.

Marcos also reiterated his call for unity to re solve the country’s issues.

Meanwhile, an economist said the presi dent’s “biggest achievement” in his initial year is the opening of the economy.

“Iyon po ‘yung prinayoritize [prioritize] kasi po iyong ibig sabihin noon galing po tayo sa isa pinakamatagal na nag lockdown sa buong mundo, so may hesitancy. So, isa po iyon kasi sa missing elements ng recovery po ng ating ekonomiya. So iyon po ‘yung una,” said Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. chief economist Mi chael Ricafort.

Ricafort said the country’s population would be a huge asset in turning the Philippines into an economic powerhouse. He said the Philip pines has around 115 million people in 2023, with more than 50 million belonging to the working age.

Ricafort said the average age in the country is less than 25 years old, which makes the econ omy productive.

of San Juan City participate in the street dance competition as part of the celebration of the city’s Wattah! Wattah! San Juan Festival and the Feast of St. John the Baptist at the historic Pinaglabanan Shrine on July 1, 2023. The city government prepared an array of activities, including street dance and float competitions, in collaboration with all barangays for the vibrant celebration.