Party-list rep commends PBBM on his first 100 days in office

A party-list representative lauded President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos (PBBM) Jr. on Friday for his performance on his first 100 days in office.

Kabayan Party-list Rep. Ron Salo said that not many appreciate the importance of any administration’s first 100 days. “It is at this time that an administration sets the trajectory of its governance agenda and lays down the groundwork to address pressing national issues. And President Marcos has done that.”

“By uniting the leadership and appointing competent Cabinet secretaries, as well as gathering trillions in foreign investments, the President has set the momentum for the herculean task of fulfilling his campaign promises. Indeed, I am excited and optimistic of what is yet to come for this administration,” he added.

In his first 100 days in office, Marcos traveled to Indonesia, Singapore, and the US on three separate occasions to deepen diplomatic connections, connect with Filipinos overseas, and entice international capitalists to set up shop in the Philippines.

He paid his first working visit to the US from September 18 to September 24, during which time he attended the 77th UN General Assembly.

He brought corporate pledges of USD18.92 billion (more than PHP1 trillion) home, which are expected to create 134,285 employment.

“On top of it all, the President was able to reach out to the thousands of overseas Filipino workers in these countries, assuring them of the government’s appreciation for their continuing contribution to the country’s economic growth, and its commitment to look after their welfare,” said Salo, who chairs the House Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs.

He said that Marcos’ selection of knowledgeable economists and technocrats for his Cabinet portends well for handling the continued inflation, the depreciation of the peso, and the measures to stimulate the economy once restrictions are lifted following the quarantine.

The public’s demand for a simplified and effective bureaucratic procedure is also aligned with Marcos’ legislative aims, which include government reform and right-sizing, he continued.

“And I, as member of Congress representing the Kabayan Partylist, shall continue to extend our unqualified support to the Marcos administration in improving the lives of our people through relevant policies and meaningful reforms,” Salo said.

However, the congressman acknowledged that there is still more work to be done because the administration has only just begun the process of leading the country back to economic and health recovery.

Nevertheless, he said that the Filipino people have a raised morale and are willing to contribute to the country given the overwhelming mandate of more than 31 million votes.

“We understand that there is a chip on the President’s shoulder, especially coming on the heels of the highly commended administration of former President (Rodrigo) Duterte. Despite his unification efforts, there are a number of naysayers. I am confident though that, in due time, they will be proven wrong,” he said.

“I am very optimistic. With the proper systems put in place in the first 100 days, President Marcos will be able to deliver on his campaign promises,” Salo said.