by Isabella Magno

Five days after he assumed office, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. held his first Cabinet meeting at the Malacañang Palace today, July 5. 

“… the most important area that we will have to deal with would have to be the economy,” Marcos said, as he directed the meeting to center on strengthening the finance and economy of the country. 

Moreover, in a short video posted by the Radio Television Malacanang, the president ordered the economic team, which was composed of the Department of Finance, the National Economic and Development Authority, and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Felipe Medalla to discuss an overview of the economic situation in the country. 

Marcos also urged the team to establish a “central policy” that the rest of his Cabinet would subsequently adhere to. 

The president said he is at the “final evaluation stage” in completing his Cabinet, as there are still no appointed secretaries for the Department of Energy, the Department of Science and Technology, the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development,  the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and the Department of Health.

Education sector tackled in first Cabinet meeting

President Marcos declared that they want to implement 100% in-person schooling by November. 

In a news briefing after the meeting, Marcos said, “There are some things immediately accessible. […] An example of that is Inday Sara’s announcement that we have a plan for full face-to-face by November of this year.”

With this, he mentioned that they plan to continue the libreng sakay initiative to help students lessen their worries about going to school.

Additionally, he stated that COVID-19 immunization and other concerns will be brought up before the scheduled in-person sessions in all primary and high schools. 

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