MANILA, Philippines 鈥� President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday vowed to sustain the country鈥檚 economic momentum and further improve the lives of Filipinos by continuing to invest in job-generating infrastructure, social protection programs, health, and education.
In a video statement released through his social media, Marcos cited several 鈥済ood news鈥� pertaining to the country鈥檚 economy, poverty, and unemployment rates.
Marcos then vowed that the government would do what it could to maintain these developments and further improve the lives of common Filipinos.
鈥淏aliwala lahat ng ating ginagawa kung walang pagbabago sa buhay ng mga Pilipino (Everything we do would be meaningless if there was no change in the lives of Filipinos),鈥� he said.
鈥淪o I assure you, this government will continue to invest in job-generating infrastructure, social protection programs, health and education for all Filipinos. We will not rest on our laurels but use them to propel us forward into social and economic transformation,鈥� he said.
Among the developments Marcos cited is the 6.3 percent growth in the country鈥檚 gross domestic product (GDP) in the second quarter of 2024, which he attributed to the investments and constructions under the Build Better More program.
He also mentioned the drop in the unemployment rate to 3.1 percent, stating that over 50.3 million Filipinos are now employed, with 63.8 percent of them belonging to the formal sector.
Marcos also acknowledged the drop in poverty rate to 15.5 percent and reiterated his vow during his first State of the Nation address to reduce it to nine percent by 2028.
READ: Bongbong Marcos admin aims to cut poverty rate to 9% by end of term 鈥� DOF chief