President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday said dividend remittances from government-owned or -controlled corporations (GOCCs) have reached about P139.8 billion this year, surpassing the previous year’s collections and strengthening the government’s capacity to fund public services without imposing additional taxes.
Speaking during the 2026 Government-Owned or -Controlled Corporations’ Day, Marcos recognized the role of GOCCs as key partners in nation-building, fiscal stability, and public service delivery.
“For decades now, our GOCCs have stood as paragons of progress, equity, and opportunity,” Marcos said.
Under Republic Act No. 7656, or the Dividend Law, GOCCs are required to remit at least 50 percent of their annual net earnings as cash, stock, or property dividends to the national government.
Marcos said every peso remitted by GOCCs helps expand the government’s ability to provide better services while easing the need to place additional financial burdens on ordinary Filipinos.
“It is proof that sound governance and fiscal responsibility can create opportunities for our people while sparing them from bearing greater financial sacrifice,” he said.
The President noted that the Department of Finance (DOF) encouraged GOCCs to increase their dividend remittances to 75 percent in 2024, calling it an ambitious goal that required discipline, efficiency, and strong public stewardship.
Marcos said GOCCs responded well to the challenge, with collections as of this month reaching approximately P139.8 billion from 50 GOCCs.
He said the amount could help build nearly 39,943 classrooms, provide around 165,554 homes for Filipino families, or construct roughly 8,738 to 9,320 kilometers of farm-to-market roads for farmers and fisherfolk.
During the event, Marcos commended the 50 GOCCs that fulfilled their dividend responsibilities, as well as the six GOCCs that participated in the GOCC Service Caravan held from June 29 to 30.
“You have shown that government institutions can deliver with professionalism, produce meaningful results, and earn the trust of the Filipino people,” Marcos said.
The President reminded GOCCs that while some were created to generate revenue and maintain financial sustainability, their primary mandate remains public service.
“Profit is never the end in itself; it is a means to better serve the Filipino people,” he said.
Marcos also urged GOCCs to continue modernizing their systems, adopting innovation, and eliminating inefficiencies.
He said fiscal discipline must remain a priority, stressing that public resources should not 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,” Marcos said.
The President called on GOCCs to place public service above self-interest, the nation above individual institutions, and the welfare of Filipinos above all else.
He said the government must continue building a GOCC sector defined by honor, integrity, competence, and accountability.
“Let us leave behind institutions that are stronger than we found them, so that future generations of Filipinos may inherit not only a better government, but a better nation,” Marcos said.