MANILA — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. marked 2025 with decisive actions aimed at promoting accountability in public office, strengthening disaster response, and delivering social reforms across health, education, and economic sectors.

The President’s administration focused on tackling corruption, particularly in flood control projects. During his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 28, Marcos condemned anomalous projects, saying, “Mahiya naman kayo sa inyong kapwa Pilipino!”

He personally inspected flood control initiatives, ordered the recovery of public funds, and encouraged public participation through the launch of the “Sumbong sa Pangulo” website and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Transparency Portal. On September 11, he signed Executive Order No. 94, creating the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) to investigate alleged irregularities over the past decade.

Marcos emphasized public support for anti-corruption efforts, stating that public office is a public trust and that “no individual involved in irregularities would be spared.” He also ordered the realignment of the flood control budget for 2026 to priority programs, with the Office of the Ombudsman already filing charges and issuing arrest warrants.

The President also led disaster response efforts following Super Typhoon Nando, Typhoon Opong, a 6.9-magnitude earthquake in Cebu, double earthquakes in Davao Oriental, and Typhoon Tino and Super Typhoon Uwan. He directed government agencies to implement relief operations and personally visited affected areas, including Cebu, Catanduanes, Albay, Negros Occidental, and northern Luzon. On November 6, he declared a one-year state of national calamity and launched Oplan Kontra Baha in Metro Manila, Cebu, and Bacolod to mitigate chronic flooding.

In health and education, Marcos implemented the zero balance billing policy, ensuring medical expenses for patients in basic accommodations were fully covered. More than one million Filipinos benefited from the policy, alongside expanded PhilHealth packages, Yaman ng Kalusugan health caravans, and the establishment of Bagong Urgent Care and Ambulatory Service (BUCAS) centers providing free outpatient care.

Education reforms included the Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP) Act, delivery of laptops and satellite internet to public schools, the fine-tuning of the K–12 curriculum, the Early Childhood Care and Development System Act, and expanded support through the Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education (UniFAST).

Social protection measures included job fairs, commuter fare discounts for students and senior citizens, support for small businesses, and expansion of the 4Ps conditional cash transfer program. Marcos also launched the Benteng Bigas Meron Na program to improve food security, distributed farm inputs, and invested in agri-processing and fish port infrastructure.

The administration also accelerated digital transformation, expanding the eGovPH Super App, launching the eGovPH Serbisyo Hub in San Juan City, and implementing Free Wi-Fi for All. Transportation and energy projects included the deployment of Dalian trains to augment MRT-3 operations, airport upgrades, and 100 percent electrification of households. Government services were also brought closer to overseas Filipino workers through the OFW Serbisyo Caravan in 11 cities.

On security and peace, Marcos supported the Armed Forces of the Philippines and police modernization, intensified operations against drug syndicates, and improved emergency response through the Unified 911 System. He also approved adjustments in base pay for military and uniformed personnel and increased their daily subsistence allowance to PhP350.

In foreign policy, the President strengthened international partnerships through state visits to Cambodia and India, ASEAN engagements, and APEC meetings. In November, he formally launched the Philippines’ ASEAN 2026 Chairship under the theme “Navigating our Future, Together,” focusing on peace, prosperity, and people empowerment.

The year 2025 reflected Marcos’ approach to governance, emphasizing accountability, resilience, and the delivery of tangible improvements in the everyday lives of Filipinos.