Marcos touts programs on health, livelihood, peace in first 100 days in office

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has cited his administration’s programs on health, livelihood, and peace in his first 100 days as the country’s 17th chief executive.
 
In his vlog posted on Saturday, Marcos said his administration has laid out a “strong foundation” for the country’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The President said that through the PinasLakas campaign, it sped up the booster coverage and COVID-19 vaccination in the country. 

He said at least 73 million Filipinos have already completed two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, while over 19 million have received their booster shots, and around 81,000 doses of COVID-19 jabs are administered daily.
 
Marcos said the program will be continuously implemented with the help of the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
 
“Dahil sa maganda na numero natin, umabot na po tayo sa punto na voluntary na lang ang pagsusuot ng face mask sa labas. Sana po lahat po ng hindi pa nabakunahan ng booster shot ay magpabooster shot na po,” he said.
 
(Because of the good numbers, we have reached the point where wearing a face mask outside is now voluntary. I hope that everyone will get their booster shots.)

He said the appeal of the healthcare workers for their special risk allowance was granted following the release of P1.04 billion by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).
 
“Kaya ang mga backlog na unpaid claims na mahigit 55,000 health workers ay maibibigay na,” he added.
 
(The backlog of unpaid claims of more than 55,000 health workers will be released.)
 
According to Marcos, the return of in-person classes helped stimulate economic activity in localities.
 
He said free rides for students on the Light Rail Transit Line 2 (LRT2) were also provided.
 
Livelihood, economy
 
Marcos said his recent overseas trips opened more opportunities for Filipinos in terms of livelihood.
 
He said at least $18.9 billion worth of memorandums of understanding and letters of intent were signed as a result of his visits to Indonesia, Singapore, and the United States.

The President said the livelihood of the farmers was also given priority, including the distribution of fertilizer discount vouchers and the release of an additional P84.1 million for local coffee production and the rehabilitation of high-value crop development program.

Immediate financial assistance was also provided for the typhoon-hit farmers in the past months, he added.
 
Marcos also said he issued an order imposing a one-year moratorium on the annual amortization and interest payments of agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs).

Peace and order
 
The President touted the progress in peace and order initiatives, particularly in the Bangsamoro region.
 
“Eto na ang sinasabi nating unity noong kampanya. Kasama na ang MNLF (Moro National Liberation Front), MILF (Moro Islamic Liberation Front), at iba pang mga stakeholder mas maayos na bilang na representasyon sa bawat grupo kaya mas maganda ang kanilang working dynamics ngayon,” he said.
 
(This is what we wanted when we talked about unity during the campaign. The MNLF, MILF, and other stakeholders are now included, with better representation from each group, and their working dynamics are better now.)
 
He said the decommissioning program was also continued, adding that the government helped former rebels start again and integrate into the community.
 
Marcos said he considered giving a “clear direction” for the government and the nation a success. 
 
“Sa kabila nitong lahat, ang maituturing kong tagumpay ng ating panunungkulan sa unang 100 araw ay ang pagbibigay ng malinaw na direksyon at layunin sa lahat ng ating ahensya ng pamahalaan at sambayanang Pilipino,” he said.
 
(Despite all this, I consider giving a clear direction and objectives to our government agencies and the Filipino people a success in my first 100 days in office.)

“Sa pagdaan ng unang 100 araw na panunungkulan, patuloy lang po at lalo pang pagiigihin ang ating trabaho at pagsisilbi sa bayan. Para sa pangarap ninyo, para sa pangarap ko, para sa ating minamahal na Pilipinas,” he added.
 
(Let us continue and step up our efforts to serve the people. For your dream, for my dream, for our beloved Philippines.)
 
The first 100 days of Marcos' presidency have received mixed assessments, with supporters praising the administration's programs and an opposition lawmaker criticizing the alleged lack of concrete steps to revitalize the economy.

Marcos took office on June 30 after winning the election by a landslide a month earlier. — VBL, GMA News