MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Wednesday led the launching of several government projects in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan.
Marcos led the launching of a “Kadiwa ng Pangulo” outlet in the city, where around 50 sellers participated.
In his speech, the President said he is increasing the number of Kadiwa stores nationwide to make its cheaper products more accessible to the public.
Marcos said the government covers logistic costs from farmers and producers to markets, making store products cheaper.
“Pinaparami namin ito sa Pilipinas upang ang mga bilihin ay maipagbili nang mas mura kaysa sa palengke. Lahat ng bayaran ng middleman ay ginagawa na ng pamahalaan. Ang pamahalaan hindi kumikita kaya ‘yung savings na ‘yun, pinapasa na sa mga namimili,” Marcos said.
(We’re growing nationwide to give Filipinos cheaper goods. The government pays all middleman costs from farmers or producers to markets, allowing consumers to buy lower-quality goods.)
He added that the Kadiwa stores serve as an outlet for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to sell their products.
“Kapag matibay ang ating maliliit na negosyo, palagay ko hindi na natin kailangang mag-import dahil ang mga tao, bibili na sa local,” the President said.
(If our MSMEs are strong, we would no longer need to import products because Filipinos would buy locally.)
After the Kadiwa store launch, the President distributed government assistance to Bulacan residents.
“Ginagawa namin ang lahat upang tulungan kayo. Ngunit, bukod pa doon, ginagawa po namin ang lahat upang hindi na kayo mangailangan ng tulong dahil mayroon na kayong pinapatakbo na kaunting hanapbuhay,” he said.
(We’re helping. We’re also trying to help you become self-sufficient so you won’t need us.)
Marcos then led the groundbreaking ceremony for the government’s housing project at Heroes Ville in Brgy. Gaya Gaya.
READ: Marcos Jr. asks DHSUD to fix housing woes with novel solutions
He said the housing project would give rise to nine eight-story buildings with 1,890 housing units. A commercial complex will also be built.
The President said the housing project is part of the government’s efforts to build one million housing units per year to address the housing backlog in the country.
“Ang proyektong ito ay isa sa mga mahahalagang programa na pinagtutuunan natin ng pansin, dahil sa malaking kakulangan ng pabahay dito sa ating bansa,” he said in his speech at the ceremony.
(This project is one of the programs that we focused on because of the housing backlog in the Philippines.)
READ: Palace: 30M Filipinos to benefit from Marcos admin’s 6-year housing program
Marcos then led the groundbreaking of St. Bernadette Children and Maternity Hospital in the same city.
The President commended health workers’ sacrifices during the pandemic, highlighting Filipino health workers’ global demand.
“Sa buong mundo ang kauna-unahang hinahanap nilang health workers ay ang mga Pilipino at ang mga Pilipina,” he said.
Marcos announced a 65-bed Level 1 hospital with essential facilities, urging private sector and medical community support.
“Kinakailangan natin ang suporta mula sa lahat ng panig ng lipunan—sa pamahalaan, pribadong sektor, sa ating mga mamamayan—upang magiging matagumpay tayo sa mithiing ito,” the President said.
(We need the support of all sectors of society — the government, the private sector, and the residents — to achieve this.)
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