Implementing government projects aimed at giving immediate relief to Filipinos such as zero-balance billing in hospitals, P20 per kilo of rice, and discounted train fares are not intended to win the public's trust and approval, President Marcos said.

In his recent podcast episode, Marcos said it is not the way he does his job. These projects, he stressed, were results of the people's sentiments.

"Hindi ganoon ang approach namin (That's not our approach). We don’t work according to surveys, not really," Marcos said when asked if implementing these projects and personally announcing them in events are his way to gain the favor of the public.

He explained that these are his administration's way of responding to the complaints of the people, citing hospital bills woes, the daily struggle of commuters, and accessibility to cheaper rice.

He stressed that the reason these projects are being run now is because many big projects are yet to be completed and it will take time before Filipinos benefit from it.

"So, all of these things are being done because we have – we have many, many big plans. Malaking proyekto na ginagawa natin na it will take – matagal pa ‘yan, nasisimulan pa lang. Matatagalan pa ‘yan (Big projects that will take time, some are just starting and it will still take a long time)," Marcos said.

"Ngunit (But), there are many things that we can do that affect people’s lives and help people’s lives, make it more easy. Cheaper, easier, more convenient, save time – all of those things that are valuable to all of us," he added.

"E, pagka mayroon kaming nakitang ginagawa, yun ang ginagawa namin (If we see something that needs to be done, we do it). It’s not really to try and do anything," he further said.

On observations that these efforts are mere "band-aid" or short-term solutions, Marcos said these programs are slowly solving the problems.

"Well, ask the student who now pays 50 percent less for his pamasahe (fare). Ask the patient who now is willing to go under a kidney transplant because yung gamot na inaalala niya hindi niya mabibili pagka nagpa-transplant siya – maraming gamot yan e, medyo mahal pa, e, libre na, o hindi na mag – hindi na siya mag-ano, magpupunta na siya, itutuloy na niya (they are worried about the expensive treatment but it is now offered for free, they no longer have to hesitate to continue with the treatment)," Marcos said.

"Those are the problems, and we are slowly solving them," he stressed.

The President also responded to criticisms that showing up to every project launch is not a gimmick, but a way to highlight the project in an attempt to let more people know that such projects exist.

"The other thing is that hindi sapat yung aming pagbalita sa tao kung ano yung mga bagong serbisyo na nalaan na. Kaya’t ngayon sinasabi namin and its important na nandoon ako (our efforts to inform the public about the new services that have already been made available are not enough. That’s why we’re saying now that it’s important for me to be there) because when I go, when the President goes, it highlights whatever that is," he said.

Marcos said that the government can sustain the P20-rice program due to agricultural reforms, but anticipates decreased subsidies to the program eventually due to increased rice production.

“Habang yung production natin gumaganda, bababa nang bababa ‘yan (While our production improves the subsidy will be reduced),” Marcos said.

“Naabot na natin yung punto na masabi natin (We have reached the point where we can say: We can afford it. We can afford the subsidy,” the President added.

While the subsidy is expected to decrease, Marcos said that the coverage of the Benteng Bigas program will expand to ensure that more sectors of the population can access the staple food at PhP20 per kilo.