To the hardworking men and women of the Department of Finance: magandang umaga sa inyong lahat.

I am very pleased to see all of you here today as we kick off the 127th-anniversary celebration of the Department of Finance.

127 — imagine the honor and privilege of being part of an institution older than the Philippine independence.

For 127 years, the DOF has been funding our nation’s dreams and providing solutions to the challenges that you, yourselves, encounter every day.

For instance, when you witness the birth of new public infrastructure projects—roads, bridges, and trains—that is the fruit of our labor in revenue collection and fiscal planning.

With every child marching proudly at graduation, we have secured the financing for the construction of the very public classrooms that nurture their dreams and aspirations.

We fill the pay envelopes of our invaluable workforce—our public school teachers, nurses, doctors, policemen, and military personnel—who all help foster the well-being of our citizens and maintain public safety.

Every precious life saved within the walls of our public hospitals is a testament to our concerted efforts to guarantee sufficient funding for improved medical services and facilities.

The feeding programs we support provide nourishment for underprivileged children, addressing hunger and laying the groundwork for healthier, thriving members of society.

The resilience of the Philippine economy, weathering storms and crises throughout the years, is a result of our careful fiscal and economic policies and prudent management of the nation’s resources.

Everything we do, and the efforts of those who came before us, are dedicated to one crucial goal: creating an economy that benefits every Filipino and secures the future for our children and the generations to come.

And I am very confident in our ability to fulfill this noble mission in the years ahead, because of one good reason: I have the privilege of leading an extraordinary team in the DOF. I am surrounded by people whose credentials are even much much better than mine.

Sa Batangas, meron po kaming simpleng plataporma na ‘Talino at Puso’. Intellect and Empathy.

Kung talino lang ang pag-uusapan, sobra-sobra ang galing at talino ng mga taga-DOF. Pero, puso is what I want to instill here. Hindi ko sinasabi wala kayong puso—ang nais ko ay sabihin na dapat sabayan ng puso, ng empathy, ang talino.

By empathy, I mean that we should not allow the DOF to become a fortress, disconnected from the realities outside, where theoretical exercises overshadow the true challenges on the ground.

We need to fully immerse ourselves in grassroots realities. Only then can we develop policies and deliver services that genuinely meet the needs of the Filipino people.

So, let’s spice things up this Anniversary month. Let’s break free from conventional thinking, be bolder in our visions, and be more audacious in our programs—all while ensuring empathy remains at the heart of our efforts.

But of course, let us not forget to have some fun in celebrating this significant milestone in our office.

After all, I am all about fostering a team of DOF employees who not only grind hard but also know how to let loose and have a good time.

To start off, we have a Sports Fest, which we will open later with a basketball match.

I was told parati daw kulelat ang Office of the Secretary sa sports. Ngayon, ako na po ang makiki-usap sa inyo: subukan niyo naman talunin ang OSEC. Subukan niyo lang.

We have a lot of exciting activities lined up for all of you—from cultural walks, healthy lifestyle seminars, a fiesta fair, a clean-up drive, an outreach program, and even the search for Mr. and Ms. DOF model employees.

We will have a lot of fun, and who knows, maybe during our Gala Night, you guys will see my wife and catch me dancing, not singing but playing my drums and piano for you guys—Baka isama ko na rin si Peanut.

The next weeks will be interesting for everyone and I will make sure that more than just a celebration of the Department’s milestone, we will be reminded that every effort and every sleepless night we spend working in this Department, is all worth it.

As we begin to see our dreams of genuine economic transformation come to life and witness real improvements in the lives of every Filipino, it will be because of the dedication of each and every one of you in the DOF. The Filipino people will have every one of you to thank for.

Once again, thank you all for being here this morning. Mabuhay po kayong lahat.