The Philippines' achievement of upper middle-income status after nearly four decades validates the economic policies pursued by the administration and serves as a "vote of confidence" in the country's future, President Marcos said.

In a video message on Thursday, July 2, Marcos said "the world has taken notice" of the hard work Filipinos have put into building the country.

The status upgrade, Marcos said, both affirms the policies his administration has implemented and validates the progress made by the people.

"After nearly four decades as a lower middle-income country since 1987, this milestone affirms that the economic policies that we have pursued in the past four years have been effective," the President said.

He stressed that the country's "steady economic growth, broadly stable currency, and long-term reform" have strengthened the economy despite global uncertainties.

"It validates the progress that we have made and the resilience of the Filipino people. It is also a vote of confidence in our country's future," the President further said.

"Greater confidence means more investments. More investments mean more businesses, better quality jobs, and more opportunities for Filipino families," he added.

Marcos underscored that the milestone is "worth celebrating," stressing that "progress is not meant to stay on paper, it is meant to open doors, put food on the table, and give every Filipino the chance to build a better life."

"That is a work that we will continue to do until every family feel the benefit of our country's progress," he vowed.

The World Bank announced on Wednesday night, July 1 (Manila time), that the Philippines achieved its long-standing goal of attaining upper-middle-income-country status with a record-high gross national income per capita in 2025.