President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday reaffirmed his administration’s strong focus on education, saying it is the most important service the government can provide to young Filipinos, during a meeting with presidential scholars in Mindanao.
Speaking at the Bawat Bayan Makikinabang: Sulu program held at Sultan Jamalul Kiram Central School in Barangay Lawm, Marcos met scholars supported under the Socio-Civic Projects Fund and underscored the importance of investing in education and training for the youth.
“Ginagawa natin ito for many reasons. Dahil may importante ang education. Para sa akin, ito ang pinakamahalaga na maibibigay ng pamahalaan para sa ating mga kabataan. It’s the most important service,” Marcos said.
He stressed that education should not be treated as a privilege but as a right.
“Ang aking prinsipyo, ang edukasyon ay hindi ito pribilehiyo. Ang edukasyon ay karapatan ng ating mga kabataan at ay importanteng-importante na magpa-training tayo, mapaganda natin ang training ng ating mga kabataan,” he said.
Marcos also told the scholars that they will eventually become future leaders in government, business, and other sectors, emphasizing the need for them to be prepared for leadership roles and public service.
Drawing from personal experience, the President encouraged students to take advantage of scholarships and educational opportunities, saying that knowledge cannot be taken away once earned.
“From personal experience ko masasabi yan. Dahil ang pinakamaganda sa education, ang pinakamaganda sa may kaalamang ka. Kahit ano pang mangyari sa buong buhay ninyo, pagkatapos na ninyo, pag nagtapos na kayo, kahit ano pang mangyari, hindi na makukuha ang kaalaman ninyo sa inyo,” he said.
“Hindi malulusaw ‘yan. Hindi pwedeng nakawain ‘yan. Hindi pwedeng agawin ‘yan. Nasa inyo na ‘yan, at araw-araw maaalala ninyo na ito pala ay napakalaking tulong para sa ating mga kabuhayan,” he added.
Marcos also highlighted government efforts under the Socio-Civic Projects Fund, noting that P200,000 is allocated for each barangay nationwide. He said half of this amount is intended to support scholarships, with selected students receiving assistance to help them complete their studies.
He explained that beneficiaries are chosen to include students nearing graduation who may be at risk of stopping their studies due to financial constraints.
"Sabi ko, mamili kayo sa bawat barangay, mamili kayo ng lima at bibigyan natin ng 100,000, take 20,000 lahat. Para may lima ang bawat barangay. And this is, those, yun ang nakuha, ayun ang ating maging kayo, ang naging presidential scholar," he said.
"So, ang sabi nga namin, basta't mamili kayo as much as possible, yung malapit na magtapos, pero baka hindi matapos, dahil for whatever reason, dahil walang pambayad, may inaman magtrabaho, whatever reason, para naman, yung mga medyo malapit na magka-diploma, matulungan natin para naman magkatapos kayo," the President added.
The President reiterated that education remains a top priority for his remaining term, citing ongoing initiatives such as the construction of classrooms, provision of school supplies and computers, and efforts to improve internet connectivity in schools through satellite services.
“Sa natitirang panahon ko bilang pangulo, ang talagang magiging priority ko is education. Para pagandahin ang educational system...nagtatayo tayo ng silid-aralan. Nagbibigay tayo ng mga gamit, computer. Lahat ng eskuwelahan binibigyan natin ng Starlink para may internet,” Marcos said.
