President Marcos to public: Suggest solutions to pressing issues

MANILA, Philippines — Citing the need to review outdated government policies, President Marcos yesterday encouraged the public to share their suggestions in addressing pressing issues.

“Here in our country, we still have many policies that need to be changed and reviewed. We see it in the news and we hear the people’s complaints,” Marcos said in Filipino in his latest vlog posted on his social media accounts.

“Let us know in the comment section if you have any policy suggestions that can help solve our many problems. We look forward to your suggestions,” Marcos said.

He said the system should make the life of Filipinos easier and bring comfort to people instead of headaches.

Marcos also underscored the need to fast-track digitalization to make government services more convenient and foster responsible, productive citizens.

He said policies – from discipline and public health to service delivery and ease of doing business – are effective when they are clear and enforceable.

The President also cited some effective policies from other countries, such as the ban on the sale and importation of chewing gum in Singapore to maintain public cleanliness.

Recently, Singapore has implemented severe penalties for online scammers, he added.

Marcos said in Germany, there is a strict policy for all vehicles to yield to ambulances and other emergency vehicles such as fire trucks, referring to a recent local incident where a motorcycle blocked a fire truck.

He also mentioned pedestrian safety in Japan.

Marcos said there are policies in other countries promoting work-life balance and wellness.

He cited a local policy in Spain allowing afternoon siesta or break for workers.

Marcos said many countries, like France, implement a right-to-disconnect policy.

“This means that you don’t have to answer calls outside of working hours. That’s not appropriate in the Philippines because Filipinos are very hardworking. Whatever you say, they will answer the call,” he said.

Marcos also cited Belgium’s four-day work week policy.

“All of these policies are designed to improve citizens’ productivity and reduce so-called burnout,” he said.

Marcos added that other countries have special policies to promote good health.
He said in Mexico, the government imposes higher taxes on sugar products to discourage the public from consuming these goods.

Marcos noted that the Philippines, UK and the Middle East have their versions of this policy.

In New York, the use of trans fat is prohibited to prevent cases of obesity and diabetes, Marcos said.

“But I think we need to focus on old policies that slow down and make government transactions difficult, on the ease of doing business, as they say,” the President said.

Some examples of the country’s outdated policies, according to Marcos, are requiring an ID to apply for an ID, filling out dozens of forms that require the same information, and requiring physical appearance in transactions that can be digital.

He said there are clear solutions to long-standing inefficiencies in government services, such as the use of the eGovPH app and the digitalization of government systems.

The President, however, cited some examples of good policies, such as the Land Transportation Office’s suspension of the physical confiscation of driver’s license and recognition of digital license; LRT and MRT Beep cards for 50 percent discounts for students, senior citizens and persons with disabilities; LRT and MRT family promo every Sunday; expansion of the zero billing policy to cover middle-class, and free WiFi in LRT and MRT stations.