By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
On Sunday, June 8, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. released a video message highlighting key government initiatives, while simultaneously addressing concerns on the two most recent programs of his administration: the EDSA rebuild and the “Benteng Bigas Meron Na.”
The Chief Executive has reiterated the importance of fast-tracking the rehabilitation of the 23-kilometer road that cuts through the heart of Metro Manila, noting the inconvenience that the projected two-year duration of the project would cause to motorists and commuters alike.
“Hangga’t wala akong nakikitang solid na mga rerouting plans at masiguro na handang-handa na ang mga LGUs, huwag muna natin gawin. Ayusin muna natin ang plano,” President Marcos declared.
“Pero sa ngayon, maliwanag na maliwanag na napakarami ang mahihirapan kapag itinuloy natin ‘yong EDSA rehabilitation. In other words, ang sinasabi ko, we will find a better way na hindi masyadong mahirap para sa ating mga commuter,” the President added.
Earlier, President Marcos Jr. ordered the one-month suspension of the road rehabilitation initiative, calling instead for an in-depth look at new technologies that may help to speed up the project’s progress to minimize its impact on public transportation and other road users.
Meanwhile, the Chief Executive quelled doubts about the sustainability of his administration’s P20-per-kilo rice program, which offers quality staple grain to the country’s vulnerable sectors.
“Marami pa rin ang nagdududa kung paano masu-sustain o patatagalin itong 20 peso rice na ito. May stock ba tayo ng bigas? Kaya ba ito bayaran ng gobyerno?” President Marcos said in a video posted on his Youtube channel.
“Masu-sustain po natin ‘yan basta nagtutulungan ang lahat. Ang sisiguruhin natin ay hindi mawawalan ng abot-kayang bigas ang ating mga kababayan,” the President said.
President Marcos Jr. has vowed to keep the staple food more affordable and accessible to the masses; thus, easing the financial burden of the poor and ensuring that farmers are able to sell their produce at a fair price.
New policies to bolster the Marcos Jr. admin’s efforts vis-à-vis improved welfare of Filipinos
In the same video message, President Marcos Jr. announced the upcoming launch of a state-of-the-art emergency hotline which would work in tandem with the earlier pronouncement of new Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III’s campaign for increased police visibility and a five-minute response time in case of an emergency.
“Sinimulan natin ang pagde-deploy ng mas maraming pulis o ‘yong tinatawag nating ‘Cops on the Beat,’” the President declared.
“Ginagawa na rin itong emergency hotline natin at sigurado ako in just a few weeks, baka sa Hulyo pwede na, ay ma-launch na namin ito,” the Chief Executive added.
The Unified 911 Emergency System is set to go live next month, starting in the National Capital Region, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Ilocos Region, and Central Visayas.
According to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), this emergency hotline would make use of advanced technology that would screen prank and nuisance calls, while simultaneously ensuring a quick response from frontline units of the PNP and the Bureau of Fire Protection.
Meanwhile, President Marcos Jr. has doubled down on looking after the domestic agricultural sector, as he ordered the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) to ensure proper maintenance of all major canals and irrigation infrastructure across the country.
He called for such actions to help farmers boost the yield of their harvest and ensure food security across the archipelago. This comes on the heels of a third tranche of NIA’s re-fleeting program on June 2, in which he vowed to sustain efforts geared towards agricultural productivity and rural development.
“Itong mga makinaryang ito; [siguraduhin natin] ang irigasyon na laging well-maintained. Maganda ang daloy ng tubig,” President Marcos said.
Under the President’s directive to enhance the country’s irrigation systems, NIA launched its re-fleeting program to modernize its logistics and field operations by providing heavy equipment, including backhoes, dump trucks, service vehicles, and canal dredgers, to regional offices.
Likewise, President Marcos Jr. advocated for the adoption of smart or innovative farming technologies citing his recent visit at a 3.5 hectare greenhouse facility in San, Rafael Bulacan.
It showcased advanced farming systems that enable year-round production of vegetables and fruits five times more than traditional farms and with less water and land utilization.
“Dumalaw din tayo sa isang farm sa Bulacan kung saan [matatagpuan] ang pinakamalaking greenhouse facility sa buong bansa,” President Marcos said.
“Ang agricultural innovation na ganito ay dapat talagang inaaral at sinusuportahan ng pamahalaan,” the President added.
These pronouncements from the Chief Executive are among the top priorities of his administration’s “Bagong Pilipinas” agenda.
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