Manila, Oct. 25 -- The Philippines will be "future-ready" through fair taxation, relief for workers and measures to ease the cost of living, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said on Saturday.

Before departing for his participation in the 47th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and Related Summits in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Marcos said the government seeks to balance economic growth with people-centered policies aimed at strengthening both domestic welfare and regional competitiveness.

"Through these efforts, we aim to build a future-ready Philippines and an ASEAN that is not only competitive but people-centered and sustainable," Marcos said in his departure speech delivered at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City.

He sai...