President Marcos challenged government-owned or controlled corporations (GOCCs) to eliminate inefficiencies and continue modernizing their systems.

In his speech during the 2026 GOCCs Day on Wednesday, July 8, Marcos encouraged them to never lose sight of the reason they exist—to serve the public.

"While some GOCCs are created to generate revenue and ensure financial sustainability, may you never lose sight of the reason you exist. Your foremost mandate is public service. Profit is never the end in itself; it is a means to better serve the Filipino people," Marcos said.

"That is why I challenge every GOCC to continue modernizing your systems, embracing innovation, and eliminating inefficiencies wherever they may exist," Marcos added.

The President also urged them to remain steadfast in practicing fiscal discipline, stressing that "public resources must never be treated as privileges to be spent, but as responsibilities to be managed wisely, transparently, and intentionally."

"For every decision we make ultimately affects the lives of our people. It is their trust that sustains our institutions, and it is our duty to prove ourselves worthy of that trust every single day," he further said.

He also enjoined them to "leave behind institutions that are stronger than we found them" in order for future generations "to inherit not only a better government, but a better nation."

In his speech, the Chief Executive commended 50 GOCCs for remitting P139.8 billion, which, he said, could fund important government projects such as schools, roads, shelters, and other infrastructure.

"These are resources that can build nearly 40,000 classrooms for our children, provide around 165,000 homes for Filipino families, construct roughly 8,700 to 9,300 kilometers of farm-to-market roads that connect our farmers and fisherfolk to markets," the President said.

According to him, the higher GOCC remittance was the result of the Department of Finance (DOF) encouraging GOCCs to raise their dividend remittances to 75 percent in 2024 from the previous 50 percent.

Pursuant to Republic Act No. 7656, or the Dividend Law, GOCCs are mandated to declare and remit at least 50 percent of their annual net earnings as cash, stock, or property dividends to the national government.

The President said it was an ambitious target that demands discipline, efficiency, and a strong commitment to the highest standards of public stewardship.

"I am pleased that the response from our GOCCs has shown that such standards are within our reach," Marcos said.

Marcos honored the GOCCs, saying they have long served as vital partners in nation-building and have stood for decades as “paragons of progress, equity, and opportunity.”

"Every peso that you have remitted strengthens the government’s capacity to deliver better services without imposing additional tax burdens on ordinary Filipinos," Marcos said, noting that this proves sound governance and fiscal responsibility can create opportunities for the people.