PBMM STANDS TALL AMID THE NOISE 

In a political climate where every move of the President is scrutinized and every policy is weaponized by critics, it has become far too easy to overlook one simple fact: President Marcos Jr. continues to do the work. While political attacks dominate social media feeds, the administration has quietly but steadily pushed forward with programs meant to ease the daily burdens of ordinary Filipinos.

Take, for instance, the steady decline in rice prices — a promise many dismissed as political rhetoric but which has become a visible relief for consumers. Lower rice prices do not magically occur; they are the product of deliberate government collaboration, policy adjustments, and the willingness to confront long-standing inefficiencies in the agriculture sector.

The same resolve was evident when the administration moved to expose the flood-control mess that for years had drained public funds with little to show. Instead of hiding the problem or passing blame, the President ordered a full accounting of questionable projects and demanded accountability. It was a rare sight in Philippine politics: a leader unafraid to confront government failures in broad daylight.

This spirit of service extends beyond Malacañang. First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos’ “Lab For All” medical outreach program continues to bring essential healthcare services to communities long neglected by mainstream government programs. From free medical check-ups and diagnostics to health education campaigns, the initiative has quietly reached thousands — a reminder that governance is also about compassion, not just policy memos.

Just as compelling is the work of the Leave Nobody Hungry Foundation, which, in partnership with the Department of Agriculture, has been strengthening food security from the ground up. A recent breakthrough in Occidental Mindoro illustrated what happens when government agencies and local communities choose unity over division.

The National Food Authority (NFA) and the DA’s Kabuhayan at Kaunlaran ng Kababayang Katutubo (DA-4K) program signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding to integrate Indigenous Peoples into the national rice supply chain. The signing, held at Siapo Elementary School in Barangay Pinagturilan, formalized government support and ensured fair market access for palay produced within ancestral domains.

This was not just a ceremonial gesture. Within three hours of the signing, IP farmers delivered 12,852.25 kilograms of palay — purchased by the government at ₱23 per kilo, amounting to ₱295,601.25. Real money, real livelihoods, real inclusion.

By providing stable markets, production support, enterprise development, and respect for traditional practices, the DA-4K program is empowering IP farmers while helping stabilize local rice supply and reduce dependence on imports. It was a clear demonstration that meaningful development happens when government agencies engage with the people they are meant to serve — not from conference rooms, but on the ground.

In a time when political noise often drowns out substance, these are achievements worth noting. They serve as reminders that governance is not a headline war; it is a day-to-day commitment to uplift communities, secure food for families, and ensure that no Filipino — from urban workers to farmers in ancestral lands — is left behind.

Critics will continue to shout. That is the nature of politics. But real leadership is measured not by the volume of applause or dissent, but by the work done in spite of both. And on that score, President Marcos Jr. and the programs under his administration have shown that steady, determined progress is still very much possible.