President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. gamely answered the questions and letters received by the Office of the President from “Bahay Ugnayan,” ranging from politics, rice prices and jeepney modernization program, among other national issues.
Bahay Ugnayan is one of the museums in Malacañang, which is open to the public.
In response to a letter written by Erica, a humanities student who has a huge interest in Philippine politics and history, President Marcos said she is doing a good job as he explained politics should be focused on serving others, not to a political party, or oneself.
“Politics should be in the service of the people. Politics should not be in the service of one party; should not be in the service of one person, certainly. Namumulitika tayo dahil mayroon tayong gustong gawin,” President Marcos said.
The President said an individual who wish to seek to whatever elective position should not be self-centered.
“Dapat naman, ang dahilan kung bakit sila tatakbo ay nais nilang tumulong, ako, ganiyan kaya ako tumakbo, kaya ako pumasok sa pulitika dahil nalulungkot ako sa mga nakikita kong pangyayari. Dahil masakit sa loob ko na makitang naghihirap ang mga Pilipino at naisip ko, siguro naman may kaya akong gawin para makatulong,” he said.
President Marcos also lauded Erica’s interest in Philippine history saying the people have much to learn from history, both made in the past and recent.
The President said the Filipino people should realize that politics is constant, which is one of the topics discussed on social media where fake news are rampant. He advised the youth to discern and take both sides of the story on these issues.
“Huwag kayong magbabasa ‘yung is lang bagay, basahin niyo lahat. Ang turo sa akin ng lola ko, sabi niya, magbasa ka ng kahit na ano at ikaw nang bahala na mangilatis kung ano ‘yung maganda o ano ‘yung hindi tama. And that’s what history can guide us with,” President Marcos said.
“Because we have experienced this before. Politics is essentially about the human condition, it is about an ideology that you hold dear, a principle that you will not compromise so that you can help the people, so you can be of service to the people. Not to yourself, not to your party, not to your family, but for the people,” he added.
Responding to a question if “BBM” stands for ‘Bigas Biglang Mahal,” President Marcos said dealing with rice prices is not only a serious problem in the Philippines, but also in other Asian countries including top rice producers Vietnam and Thailand that are also affected by the “external shocks” such as the movement of oil prices, and other issues.
The President stressed the government is doing all it can to ensure a sufficient supply of rice in the market.
“Ginagawa natin lahat upang naman ang produksyon natin ay maging sapat na hindi na tayo nag-iimport, mababawasan ang mga inputs, kung tawagin para sa ating mga farmer at sana naman ay ma-stabilize manlang natin ‘yung presyo ng bigas,” President Marcos said.
In the same message, the President said the government is not phasing out jeepneys, the most popular and cheapest mass transportation in the Philippines. He said the government is trying to modernize the jeepney transport system to provide quality service to Filipino commuters and provide the drivers better income.
Marcos added that modernized jeepneys are also good for the environment.
“Alam ninyo, totoo nga namang ang jeepney kay inikilala na sa buong mundo, hindi po natin pinapalitan ang ating traditional na jeepney, ginagawa lang nating modern dahil ‘yung pagka nilipat natin, gagawin natin electric ‘yang mga ‘yan ay mas malaki nag kikitain ng ating mga nagpapasada dahil ang cost per kilometer ng mga electric na bagong modernized na jeepney ay mas mababa, mas maganda nga ang kita ng ating mga nagpapasada,” he said.
“Bukod pa roon, hindi tayo nagdadagdag sa polusyon at tayo sa Pilipinas ay ginagawa natin ang lahat ng kaya nating gawin para naman tugunan ang problema ng climate change pero higit pa sa pagbabago at pag-moderno ng mga pampublikong sasakyan, kailangan na rin nating iwanan ang lumang pag-uugali sa kalye, dapat moderno na rin,” he added.
President Marcos emphasized that a “Bagong Pilipino” is disciplined, considerate and obey traffic rules. *PND*
