More Marcos travels in 2024? Koko says ‘So be it’ but focus also on local problems

For Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, the increase in President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s foreign and local travel funds is reflective of the administration’s goals, but focus should also be put in place in addressing 'local' problems.

Pimentel issued his remark amid the 58% increase in the President’s budget for foreign and local travels next year which amounts to P1.408 billion from this year’s P893.970 million.

“The increase in the foreign and local trips budget is reflective of their plans for 2024. If the President intends to travel more then so be it. But he should be aware that our people’s problems are ‘more local’ than he thinks,” Pimentel said in a text message to reporters.

He then mentioned the issue of food production in the country.

“Food production means we need to produce more food from our own land. Food importation is not the same as food production,” he said.

GMA News Online sought Malacañang’s comment through Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Cheloy Garafil, but she has yet to respond as of posting time.

Marcos recently signed the P5.768-trillion budget for 2024 which included the P10.645 billion funds for the Office of the President.

The President’s foreign trips has reached P4.019 trillion or US$72.178 billion, according to the Department of Trade and Industry.

The DTI said that these investments are in various stages, noting that the amount comprises 148 projects. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News