PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. spent the week spearheading flood relief operations caused by the enhanced Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) while advancing long-term policy initiatives in social protection, education, public health, and infrastructure.
In Negros Oriental, where Marcos led the distribution of food aid and educational grants under the “Bawat Bayan Makikinabang” program funded via the Local Government Support Fund.
Alongside releasing ₱9.753 billion to support 108 state universities and colleges under the Free Higher Education Program, Malacañang urged the public to report any selection irregularities in the Presidential Scholarship Program.
As heavy rains intensified, the Chief Executive ordered coordinated, 24/7 disaster response operations.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development released ₱717.4 million in aid, while free bus services were deployed along EDSA.
Concurrently, government agencies addressed security and economic concerns: law enforcement investigated a fatal shooting at Ateneo de Zamboanga University, and joint operations by the Bureau of Customs and National Bureau of Investigation seized ₱3 billion in smuggled cigarettes.
To address agricultural vulnerabilities, Marcos directed the Department of Agriculture to build cold storage facilities in the Cordillera region and expand the Kadiwa logistics network to Metro Manila, Pampanga, and Cavite.
By mid-week, the administration boosted healthcare infrastructure by releasing ₱1.855 billion for the Philippine General Hospital, while health officials monitored potential leptospirosis outbreaks.
Infrastructure priorities took center stage on August 20 when Marcos inspected Pasay City’s Tripa de Gallina Pumping Station, announcing plans to build and upgrade 13 pumping stations, establish rainwater cisterns, and implement waste-to-energy projects by 2027.
Closing the week with a Ninoy Aquino Day message calling for national unity and the protection of democratic institutions, Marcos reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to combining immediate community relief with sustainable, long-term national solutions.
