Midterm pulse: Rating the Marcos administration's performance

“We made a change for the better.”

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With these words, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. marked his third year in office on June 30. The phrase also serves as the administration's implicit benchmark: that Filipinos must be able to feel, not just hear about, the results of reform and governance.

As we cross the midpoint of 2025, and with the State of the Nation Address (SONA) on the horizon, it is fitting to take stock of the nation’s direction under this promise.

Infrastructure and transportation remain at the heart of the President's economic strategy. The continued rollout of airports, expressways, seaports, and rail systems under the “Build Better More” program has driven employment and improved connectivity. These projects, however, must translate into direct benefits for commuters and countryside producers alike—shorter travel times, safer transport, and easier access to markets.