Marcos unveils reforms ahead of ASEAN chairship

• Curbing corruption • Boosting fiscal policy • Easing cost of living

- By ARGYLL CYRUS GEDUCOS

President Marcos unveiled a series of domestic reforms aimed at curbing corruption, improving fiscal fairness, and easing the cost of living measures he said are necessary to strengthen the Philippines' credibility as it prepares to assume the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) chairmanship next year.

"The strength of ASEAN depends on the individual strength and prosperity of its members," Marcos said in his departure speech in Pasay City on Saturday, Oct. 25.

According to the President, his administration is working to make the government "more responsive, accountable, and transparent" as part of efforts to ensure national integrity and economic resilience.

Crackdown on overpriced projects, supplies

President Marcos said he ordered the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to slash construction material costs by as much as 50 percent following an internal review that found several items, such as asphalt, steel bars, and cement, overpriced by the same margin.