President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has ordered government agencies to immediately settle obligations to contractors who properly delivered on government projects, Malacañang said Monday.

At a Palace briefing, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro said the directive reflects the President’s push to stimulate economic activity while ensuring accountability in public spending.

“Ang utos ng Pangulo, bayaran agad ang mga contractor na naging maayos ang paggawa sa mga proyekto (The President’s order is to immediately pay contractors who properly carried out their projects),” Castro said.

She added that the President wants his order to be carried out “as soon as possible.”

“Mas mabilis na proseso ang bayad, mas maayos na trabaho para sa mga Pilipino (A faster payment process results in better work for Filipinos),” she said.

The Palace Press Officer said Marcos remains firm in his goal of boosting the economy even as he leads investigations into the widespread misuse of public funds.

Castro said the President, during a meeting with the economic team on Jan. 30, urged his Cabinet to “move forward” and directed agency heads to focus on the fast and proper implementation of infrastructure projects.

“Nagbigay na ng direktiba ang Pangulo sa mga kalihim na siguruhing nakatutok ang mga ahensiya sa mabilis at maayos na paggawa ng mga infrastructure projects ng gobyerno (The President has already directed secretaries to ensure that agencies remain focused on the fast and proper implementation of government infrastructure projects),” Castro said.

She also stressed the need for strong coordination between national and local governments to closely monitor and complete infrastructure projects. (PNA)