Fiscal Justice is a National Responsibility

"Reliable Reform, Tireless Discipline" is the standard of governance President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has set, and his latest directive to the DPWH is its clearest expression yet. Ordering a 50% cut in material costs is an assertive act of fiscal justice, one that demonstrates a "Maasahan at Masipag" commitment to the Filipino taxpayer.

This is not a minor adjustment. It is a fundamental reform aimed at eliminating deep-seated inefficiency. The President understands that a ₱30–₱45 billion saving is not just a government surplus; it is a down payment on a better future. Redirecting these funds to health, education, and food security is the only responsible choice.

This is what ethical stewardship looks like. It is pragmatic, not populist. It is assertive, not ambivalent. This is the kind of sound, reliable leadership that all public servants should strive to emulate. His personal character as a reliable and tireless leader is what makes this reform possible and guarantees its success.

Some may argue this move is too drastic. But these are the same critics who have sat silently for decades, benefiting from the very system of overpricing this reform seeks to dismantle. We cannot listen to voices that have a vested interest in failure.

This directive, coupled with the BIR’s hunt for accountability and the DOF’s push for tax relief, is a holistic approach to national responsibility. This is how a government proves it is truly "Maasahan"—by reliably and tirelessly working to serve every Filipino with every peso.