Demonstrating a balanced approach between immediate economic relief and long-term national reform, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. concluded a high-impact week of governance (August 3–7) focused on easing the financial burden on Filipino families, strengthening public revenues, enhancing disaster response, and advancing national security and foreign policy.
Headlining the administration’s consumer-centric policies:
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P9.5-Billion Electricity Refund: The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) ordered Meralco to refund ₱0.3448 per kilowatt-hour over six months, directly benefiting more than eight million consumers.
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Inflation Easing: Headline inflation slowed to 6.2% in July (down from 6.4% in June), with Metro Manila inflation dropping to 4.4%. The Palace maintains vigilance against potential risks from Middle East geopolitical tensions and El Niño.
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Record Revenue Generation: The Bureau of Customs achieved its highest monthly collection in history for July at ₱95.848 billion, surpassing its ₱91.526-billion target to help fund national priority programs.
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Worker Protections: Malacañang reaffirmed its commitment to defend the implementation of the ₱85 daily minimum wage increase in the National Capital Region.
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Transport Sector Dialogue: The government called for continued negotiations with transport groups regarding rising global oil prices to prevent strikes that could disrupt commuters and economic recovery.
In response to Tropical Storm Maymay and the enhanced Southwest Monsoon, President Marcos placed all government agencies on full alert:
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Preemptive Action: Preemptive evacuations were executed across high-risk flood, landslide, and coastal areas, backed by prepositioned rescue equipment.
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Infrastructure Preparedness: All 73 pumping stations in Metro Manila were operationalized alongside standby mobile units.
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Relief Stockpiling: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) maintained over 5 million family food packs nationwide and secured more than ₱1.6 billion in standby emergency funds.
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UN Secretariat Filing: The Philippines formally deposited the official nautical chart of Bajo de Masinloc and its surrounding maritime zones with the United Nations Secretariat, reinforcing a rules-based foreign policy.
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Educational Outreach: The Department of Environment and Natural Resources launched a three-part e-book series educating young Filipinos on marine biodiversity and the West Philippine Sea.
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International Alliances: President Marcos met with Japanese lawmaker Fujita Fumitake to expand bilateral cooperation between the Philippines and Japan.
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Technical-Vocational Investment: President Marcos led the graduation of 1,150 scholars in Ilocos Norte, highlighting a record ₱19-billion budget allocation for the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
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Healthcare Inspections: The President inspected the Gov. Roque B. Ablan Sr. Memorial Hospital in Ilocos Norte, evaluating the PhilHealth Zero Balance Billing implementation and dialysis facilities. He also visited stallholders affected by the recent fire at the Batac Public Market.
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Administrative Reforms: Through Administrative Order No. 47, authority to approve foreign travel requests for local officials was streamlined to designated DILG representatives. Judicial capabilities were also strengthened with the sworn appointments of new associate justices to the Sandiganbayan and Court of Appeals.
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Equitable Local Support: The Palace reiterated that the Local Government Support Fund and rice distributions (10-kg allocations per qualified family) will continue without political bias.
