MANILA— President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has directed 10 newly sworn-in ad interim officials to prioritize measures that would keep basic necessities affordable, improve holiday travel and protect workers’ benefits ahead of the Christmas season.

Marcos issued the directive during the officials’ oath-taking ceremony at the Reception Hall of Malacañan Palace on Friday, Presidential Communications Office Secretary Lino Cayetano said.

Executive Secretary Ralph Recto said the administration would continue implementing measures to help Filipino families cope with rising prices and the cost of daily necessities during the holidays.

He said the government would sustain efforts to ensure that essential commodities, particularly food and other household necessities, remain affordable and accessible to ordinary Filipinos.

Meanwhile, Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Vince Dizon and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Giovanni Lopez committed to strengthening coordination between their agencies to ease traffic congestion and improve public transportation during the holiday rush.

Dizon said the President wants commuters to spend less time traveling and reduce their transportation expenses, particularly during the busy Christmas period.

To accommodate the anticipated increase in passenger volume, the DOTr plans to deploy additional buses, trains and other public transportation services to provide more accessible travel options.

Lopez, meanwhile, said the DPWH would prioritize road repairs and the completion of ongoing infrastructure projects to minimize traffic delays.

The two officials also vowed closer coordination to facilitate smoother travel for Filipinos returning to their home provinces for the Christmas holidays.

Aside from transportation and commodity prices, the administration will intensify efforts to ensure employers comply with labor laws, particularly the timely release of holiday wages and other mandatory employee benefits.

The measures are intended to help ease household expenses, protect workers’ rights and allow Filipino families to celebrate Christmas with fewer financial and transportation concerns.