By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
Amid concerns regarding the effect of the ongoing investigation into ‘ghost’ and anomalous flood control projects vis-à-vis lapses in other government public works, the Marcos Jr. administration continues to reassure the masses that the government is on top of this pressing national issue that has saturated mainstream media.
At the Malacañang press briefing on Thursday, Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs (SAPIEA) Frederick Go clarified that the Philippines’ economic standing remains intact despite earlier qualms worrying of possible repercussions caused by the flood control mess.
Go emphasized that the government’s economic team noted no losses in investment pledges from foreign firms, adding that no investors pulled out from their projects in the Southeast Asian nation, which he cites as an indicator of solid investor confidence in the Philippine government.
Marcos’ top economic aide said, noting the seriousness of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in stemming corruption at the grassroots level, “I just like to stress that the swiftness and decisiveness of the President shows the resolve of the government to clean up corruption which is good for the economy and builds confidence.”
He emphasized, noting improvements in budget allocation and management for the proposed 2026 national budget, “Better deployment of the budget will result in projects with greater multiplier effect, bringing about better effects on the economy and jobs created. So while this may be a short-term issue, it definitely will have long-term benefits.”
Go moreover also pointed out the various reforms made by the government to address corruption and red tape, which he touts as a core part of the Marcos Jr. administration’s economic strategy.
Such include programs such as the CREATE MORE Act, the public-private partnership (PPP) Code, and the ‘green lanes’ for strategic investments, on top of the earlier formation of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) and the recent appointment of Jesus Crispin Remulla as the new Ombudsman.
When asked about the government’s stance on the flood control probe through the lens of economy and investments, Marcos’ top economic aide touted such a short-term challenge that remains unfazed by the business community’s appreciation of the Chief Executive’s management of this pressing national concern, as evidenced by their solid business confidence in the Philippines.
Go concluded in his remarks, “I think, it will really help the country if we start moving on from this, focusing on the reforms and the corrective measures that would be done to address these issues that we have uncovered. And by doing that, I think the rebound will be stronger.”
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