President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered government agencies to accelerate the completion of key infrastructure projects, including the construction of new classrooms, to boost economic growth amid a slowdown.
On January 31, 2026, during a meeting with his economic team at Malacañang, President Marcos directed agencies to expedite key infrastructure projects to address the economy's sluggish growth, with the gross domestic product (GDP) recording its lowest rate of 4.4 percent in 2025, falling short of the government's 5.5 to 6.5 percent target.
Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro, in a press briefing, noted that the President also mandated biweekly reports from agencies to monitor progress. “President Marcos Jr. also ordered the monitoring of agencies and their projects every two weeks to see their progress,” she explained. She emphasized that reports must not be inaccurate or sugarcoated due to the frequent checks, and officials submitting false information could face consequences like dismissal from service.
A monitoring mechanism will be established to ensure reports are precise and not exaggerated. Additionally, the President and his team discussed strategies such as digitalization to accelerate job creation. Castro mentioned that investors are recognizing the administration's serious anti-corruption drive and efforts against the misuse of public funds. “From our perspective, investors see how the current administration is ridding our country of corruption, on the issue of abuse of public funds,” she said.
Department of Economy, Planning and Development Secretary Arsenio Balisacan attributed the underwhelming growth to weather-related disruptions, the flood control controversy, and global economic uncertainties.
