Marcos to agencies: Help me uplift people’s economic condition

MANILA, Philippines — Efforts to grow the economy would only go to waste if fruits of growth are not enjoyed by the people, President Marcos reminded government officials yesterday.

During the oath taking of new appointees at Malacañang, Marcos called on officials to thoroughly study their organizations and determine what needs to be done so that the government can carry out interventions that will benefit the people.

“I always say that we have a lot of good plans for the economy of the Philippines,” Marcos said in Filipino.

“Assuming that the economy of the Philippines improves a lot, assuming it does not contract, but if the people do not feel it, our work would go to waste. Only a few would get rich,” the President added.

Sworn into office yesterday were officials from the National Amnesty Commission, National Anti-Poverty Commission, Marawi Compensation Board and Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity.

Marcos called on the four agencies to help him fulfill his promise to uplift the Filipinos’ economic condition, advance peace and strengthen national security.

He said the agencies are “not terribly well-known” but are “extremely important to the function of this government.”

“We know how important your work is. And that is why it is very important that you understand that we must work together because we are here willing… to support all the advocacies that your agencies represent. And that is our end of this bargain,” Marcos said.

“And of course, we are very confident in the performance that you will show 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,” he said.

In the same speech, Marcos said there have been many discussions on how to begin the rehabilitation of the battle-ravaged Marawi City and to bring people back to their homes.

“As we can all realize it is not a very quick process, it cannot be rushed. But we really need to start and many who have yet to return to their homes are waiting,” the Chief Executive said.

“Perhaps it’s time that we do everything so they can see that there is change, there is progress, so that the residents of Marawi can look forward to something,” he added.

Some 1,000 militants with ties to terrorist group Islamic State and more than 160 government troopers were killed during the 2017 Marawi siege, the longest urban battle in the country since World War II. The five-month siege displaced about 360,000 individuals.