MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. stressed the need to modernize outdated systems and fast-track digitalization to make government services more convenient and help foster responsible and productive citizens.

“Kailangan padaliin ang pamumuhay ng Pilipino. Dahil ang sistema ay kailangan nagdadala ng ginhawa sa tao, hindi sakit ng ulo,” Marcos said.

In the latest BBM VLOG, the President encouraged the public to share suggestions for new policies that could address pressing national issues.

“Dito sa ating bansa, marami pang polisiya ang kailangan natin baguhin at ribisahin. Nakikita natin sa balita at naririnig natin ang mga kababayan natin, ang kanilang mga reklamo,” he said.

Marcos said policies are effective when they are clear, enforceable, and genuinely make everyday life easier for the public, citing areas such as discipline, public health, service delivery, and ease of doing business.

Drawing from examples in other countries, the President said discipline-focused policies help shape orderly and responsible societies. He also noted innovative labor and health policies abroad that improve productivity, reduce burnout, and promote public health.

“Maganda lahat ‘yan. ‘Yang sa road courtesy, kailangan natin ‘yan. Pati ‘yung sa kalusugan, kailangan din natin ‘yan. Pero ang tingin ko, kailangan natin tutukan ang mga lumang polisiya na nagpapabagal at nagpapahirap sa mga government transaction, sa ease of doing business, ‘ika nga,” Marcos said.

The President cited examples of outdated policies, including requirements to present an ID to apply for another ID, repeatedly filling out forms with the same information, and mandating physical appearance for transactions that can be done digitally.

He said long-standing inefficiencies in government services can be addressed through solutions such as the eGovPH app and broader digitalization of government systems.

Marcos also cited policies he described as good practices, including the Land Transportation Office’s suspension of physical confiscation of driver’s licenses and recognition of digital licenses; the use of LRT and MRT Beep cards for 50 percent discounts for students, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities; LRT and MRT family promos every Sunday; the expansion of the zero billing policy to cover the middle class; and free Wi-Fi in LRT and MRT stations.

The President emphasized that public cooperation is essential to the success of policy reforms.

“Ang mga polisiya ay kultura na isinusulat bilang batas. Ipaalam ninyo sa amin sa comment section kung may mga mungkahi kayong polisiya na makakatulong solusyonan ang marami nating problema. Aabangan namin ang mga suggestion ninyo,” Marcos said.