Marcos exhorts key gov’t agencies to bolster anti – poverty, nat’l security, peace programs

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. (file photo)

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong Marcos Jr. on Monday urged government agencies to help his administration uplift the people’s economic condition, advance peace and strengthen national security.

 He issued the call during the oath-taking ceremony in Malacañang of officials of the National Amnesty Commission (NAM), National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC), Marawi Compensation Board (MCB), Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU).

 Marcos said that while most of the public is not familiar with these agencies, what is important is the significance of their work.

 “We know how important your work is. And that is why it is very, very important that you understand that we must work together because we are here willing, and we are here to support all the advocacies that your agencies represent. And that is our end of this bargain,” he said, as quoted by the Presidential Communications Office (PCO).

 “And of course, we are very confident in the performance that you will show after now that we have made official your positions in the different agencies. So I look forward to hearing from you as you get to settle into your jobs,” Marcos added.

The President also encouraged the newly sworn-in officials to thoroughly study their organizations and figure out what are needed to be done so that the government could carry out interventions for the benefit of the people.

“Palagi kong sinasabi na marami tayong pinaplano na maganda para sa ekonomiya ng Pilipinas,” Marcos said.

(I always say that we have a lot of good plans for the economy of the Philippines.)

“Ngunit kung hindi – sabihin na natin gumanda nang husto ang ekonomiya ng Pilipinas, hindi naman bumababa at hindi naman nararamdaman ng taong-bayan eh sayang lang ang ating naging trabaho. Iilan lang ang yumayaman,” the President said.

(However, if the people do not feel the effects of our plans, we have wasted our efforts. Only a few get rich.)

NAPC’s mandate can come into play, Marcos said, as the agency helps distribute wealth equitably, while OPAPRU can do its part in the peace process.

In the case of Marawi City, Marcos said there had been many discussions about how to get the rehabilitation started and how to finally bring the people back to their homes.

“As we can all realize, it is not a very quick process, hindi naman puwedeng imadali. Ngunit kailangan talaga nating simulan at maraming nag-aantay na hindi pa nakakauwi,” Marcos said.

(We must start it since many have not yet returned to their homes.)

“Panahon na siguro, na pagkakataon na gawin natin ang lahat may makita man lang na pagbabago, may progress, para naman ay may maaasahan ang mga residents ng Marawi,” President Marcos said. 

(It is time that we do everything we can to make a change, to make progress so that Marawi residents can have hope.)

Malacañang did not identify officials that took their oath on Monday.

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