By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
In episode 2, part 3 of the BBM Podcast, which aired on Wednesday, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. refuted criticisms levied against his administration’s key initiatives on health, food security, and public transport.
When asked about the correlation between the ‘zero balance billing’ in DOH hospitals, expanded Benteng Bigas program, and free or discounted fares on public transport vis-à-vis his trust and approval ratings, the Chief Executive reiterated that these initiatives are geared towards the benefit of the masses above all else.
“Hindi ganoon ang approach namin. We don’t work according to surveys, not really,” President Marcos declared.
“So, all of these things are being done because we have many, many big plans. Ngunit, there are many things that we can do that affect people’s lives and help people’s lives—make it [easier]. Cheaper, easier, more convenient, save time—all of those things that are valuable to all of us,” he added.
The President cited the Bayanihan Estero Program on August 2 among the various undertakings of the Marcos Jr. administration, which would eventually provide meaningful improvement in people’s lives—quashing observations that these initiatives are ‘short-term’ or ‘band-aid’ solutions on serious issues.
On rice matters
In the same podcast, President Marcos noted the government’s sweeping reforms on increasing agricultural productivity, which he cites as the foundation of the “Benteng Bigas Meron Na” program.
“‘Yong dalawampung piso [kada kilo ng bigas], ngayon lang namin nagawa dahil ang dami munang kailangang ayusin,” the President said of his fulfilled campaign promise during the 2022 polls.
“Kailangan bawasan ‘yong smuggling, kailangan isara ‘yong mga warehouse na nagho-hoarding, kailangan mabigyan tayo ng makinarya para sa farmers,” he added, noting the various interventions taken by the government to make P20/kg rice a reality.
The Chief Executive, likewise, underscored the need to provide assistance to farmers, such as the granting of Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CLOA) by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) to qualified beneficiaries.
On ensuring adequacy of gov’t funds
President Marcos meanwhile reassured the masses that the government has sufficient financial resources to account for various programs, such as new classrooms and Bulilit Centers, provided that these funds are used responsibly and appropriately.
“It’s not an absolute number. Like any corporation, may balance sheet ‘yan. The balance sheet has assets and liabilities,” he said of the country’s national debt pegged at P17.2 trillion.
The Chief Executive also emphasized that numbers don’t tell the full picture, because it does not take into account the significant strides made by the government in improving the country’s labor market, which led to a decline in the number of jobless Filipinos in June 2025 and the highest labor force participation rate since 2005.
President Marcos concluded by reassuring that the Social Security System (SSS) can sustain the rollout of a 3-year pension hike, which would begin in September, amid concerns regarding fund deficiencies.
“Well, that’s fine because the SSS is growing anyway. Our population is growing, our working population is growing. ‘Yon ang bawi doon. It will continue to grow,” the President said.
“In fact, in our estimation, SSS in terms of its fund, is growing at such a rate that it will be bigger than GSIS soon,” he concluded.
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