The Marcos Jr administration claims economic success, saying that its policies have brought the country to upper middle-income status. But this seeks to hide a deeper reality: the growth model hyped by the government has made a few prosperous at the expense of millions of Filipinos and the environment.

The Marcos Jr administration vowed to create more jobs to fight poverty. While employment reportedly increased by 3.5 million to 49.6 million from May 2022 to May 2026, the Philippines has the worst unemployment in Southeast Asia. Poverty and inequality also worsened.

The Marcos Jr administration promised to provide high-quality, well-paying job opportunities for the Filipino workforce. But many working Filipinos struggle with insecure and informal work, low earnings, poor working conditions and violations of their labor rights.

The Marcos Jr administration said it would prioritize agriculture and strengthen support for farmers and fisherfolk. But the sector is in crisis, and farmers and fisherfolk are struggling with low incomes, insecure livelihoods and threats to their land and fishing grounds.

The Marcos Jr administration said it would provide proper and affordable housing for the poor. But urban poor communities are being demolished and displaced by government-facilitated projects and affordable housing remains lacking.

The Marcos Jr administration vowed to promote and protect women’s rights.  But Filipino women still struggle with discrimination and limited job opportunities, lack of or no support, as well as violence and exploitation.

The Marcos Jr administration promised to prioritize youth’s welfare under Bagong Pilipinas. However, Filipino youth are faced with poverty, worsening joblessness, and lack of educational opportunities and support.

The Marcos Jr administration promised to protect indigenous rights and support peace and development for the Bangsamoro. But national minorities are the poorest and most vulnerable sectors, faced with displacement and attacks as destructive projects threaten their ancestral lands and communities.

The Marcos Jr administration promised to address health sector challenges. But health care for ordinary Filipinos remains unaffordable and inaccessible as the government prioritizes privatized health over a strong public healthcare system.

The Marcos Jr administration said it would protect the environment through sustainable development, climate resilience, and biodiversity conservation. Yet environmental destruction worsens with the proliferation of government-facilitated big business projects.