Malacañan on Saturday said the latest results of the consumer expectation survey (CES) conducted by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas is proof that the Duterte administration is not only concentrated in the anti-illegal drugs campaign but also on efforts to alleviate the plight of the Filipino people.

Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Assistant Secretary Ana Maria Paz Banaag said President Duterte is not only concentrated in eliminating illegal drugs but also on improving the lives of the Filipinos.

Banaag welcomed the BSP’s Fourth Quarter 2016 consumer expectation survey, which rose to a new all-time high of 9.2 percent from 2.5 percent in the third quarter of this year.

“This government, this administration, the President is working so hard and it is not all about the drug war, it is all about a lot of things that the President is concerned about and especially so, alleviating the plight of the Filipino people,” Banaag said in an interview with Radyo ng Bayan on Saturday, December 10.

“Doon natin nakikita kasi mas maganda mag-focus tayo sa mga positive lalo na at Pasko, diba? Na maraming nangyayaring ibang bagay sa ating bansa, maraming pinagtutuunang ibang bagay ang ating Presidente,” she said.

“All sectors in the government are working and doing their best para mapaunlad ang ating bansa at nagre-reflect ‘yan dun sa impressions din ng ating mga kababayan at ‘yung positive outlook ng business sector sa ating bansa,” she added.

The Palace official cited that in President Duterte’s trips abroad, the President has nothing in mind except how to gain something to bring back home to help improve the lives of the Filipinos.

She also noted that the President has been working hard, almost even without rest.

President Duterte is slated for a State Visit to Cambodia and Singapore next week as part of the President’s introductory visits to neighboring Asian countries.

Banaag said, ”President Duterte has the Chairmanship of the ASEAN for next year. That’s why the President has to sit down, attend meetings, bilateral meeting with other countries for the ASEAN next year.”

She added that while Duterte is satisfied with the country’s preparation for ASEAN Summit in 2017, there is still room for improvement.

“Satisfied naman ang Pangulo. But you know, we can give more. We can do better — always better, hindi lang good, always better,” emphasized Banaag.

Banaag meanwhile said Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade continues to have the trust and confidence of President Duterte despite calls for Tugade’s resignation.

“Secretary Tugade, as a presidential appointee, enjoys the trust and confidence of the President,” Banaag said, noting that the DOTr is doing its best to solve the traffic woes.

Meanwhile, Banaag said the Palace condemns human rights violations and is against extrajudicial killings.

Banaag said the Philippines is one with the rest of the world in the commemoration of the International Human Rights Day.

“We are one with all the Filipino people and all those celebrating worldwide with the Human Rights Day,” she said.###PND