President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to fighting poverty and hunger by creating jobs, supporting small businesses, and expanding strategic industries across the country.

“Maayos na hanapbuhay talaga ang mabisang pantiyak laban sa kahirapan at laban sa gutom,” President Marcos said in his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday.

With more jobs now being created, President Marcos tasked the Department of Labor (DOLE), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and Department of Tourism (DOT), to intensify efforts to generate opportunities for the four percent of the workforce who remain unemployed.

The Chief Executive emphasized the administration’s continued support for microenterprises, particularly with low-interest-bearing and non-collateralized capital.

“Ipagpapatuloy natin ang pagbibigay ng puhunan sa mas marami pang negosyante para makapagsimula ng maliit na negosyo o microenterprise, sa mababang interest at walang kolateral,” said President Marcos.

The President also emphasized government support for intellectual property and the creative industries.

In addition, the government is providing livelihood training and capital grants to marginalized families, with the goal of helping 2.5 million poor households establish their own small businesses.

President Marcos further committed to strengthening high-potential industries, including automotive, manufacturing, electronics, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, critical minerals, local textiles, halal products, construction, and power generation, aiming for inclusive growth that reaches every Filipino. | PND