MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. expressed pride in the Philippines’ 2024 economic achievements, emphasizing the need for better communication of these successes to the public.
At the 24th National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board Meeting in Malacañang on Thursday, Marcos acknowledged the country’s progress but stressed the importance of connecting government actions to the everyday lives of Filipinos.
“I’m quite satisfied. I’m even proud,” Marcos said, referring to the Philippine Development Report 2024. “We’ve achieved a lot, but we need to make it clearer to the public.”
The President highlighted the importance of using accessible language to explain these successes, noting the gap between government efforts and public understanding. “We’re falling behind in making the connection between what we are doing and how it affects ordinary Filipinos,” he added.
Marcos also addressed ongoing infrastructure projects like the Bataan-Cavite Bridge, which aims to alleviate traffic congestion and improve access to key regions. He called for greater transparency in explaining the long-term benefits of such initiatives, particularly those related to food security and overall quality of life for Filipino families.
Looking ahead, NEDA Secretary Arsenio Balisacan outlined the government’s 2025 economic targets, which include a GDP growth target of 6 to 8 percent, up from last year’s 6 to 6.5 percent. The government also aims to maintain inflation between 2 to 4 percent and reduce poverty below 13.2 percent by the end of the year, with a long-term goal of 9 percent by 2028.
Plans for 2025 also include diversifying growth drivers, adopting new technologies, and enhancing productivity, with a focus on ensuring fiscal programs support continued growth. Regular monitoring and integration into budgeting and planning will be key to these efforts.
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