President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Monday assured that public school teachers will soon receive laptops, emphasizing that the government ensured a clean and transparent procurement process.
“Tiniyak natin na walang anomalya sa pagbili ng mga laptop na ito,” Marcos said during his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the Batasang Pambansa.
LAPTOP PARA SA MGA PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS
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WATCH: Ibinida ni @bongbongmarcos ang mga laptop na ipamamahagi ng gobyerno sa mga public school teacher sa kanyang #AngIkaapatNaSONA
Ayon sa Presidente, nagdaratingan na ang mga laptop, kasabay ng pagtiyak na walang anumalya sa… pic.twitter.com/ckumHdRBLH
It can be recalled that in 2023, the Department of Education (DepEd), led by Vice President Sara Duterte, faced public backlash over its failure to distribute laptops to teachers.
The controversy further escalated after the Commission on Audit (COA) flagged the agency’s 2022 procurement deal for allegedly overpriced laptops, costing each unit over P58,000.
During his SONA, Marcos also underscored the importance of technology in education and said that the government is determined to equip teachers and students alike with the digital tools they need.
“Nakahanda na ang mga high-tech at digital na mga materyales, mga smart TVs, libreng Wi-Fi, at libreng load sa Bayanihan SIM card,” the President said.
He also mentioned ongoing efforts to digitize teachers’ workloads and paperwork to ease their daily burdens.
“Gagawin na rin nating digital ang mga natitira pang papel na kailangan ninyong asikasuhin. Para puwede na ninyo itong gawin online – diretso na mula sa mga bago ninyong laptop,” Marcos said.
The President’s declaration comes amid a broader push to improve the public education system, which he said remains at the top of his administration’s priorities.
TechVoc education, scholarships, and free college
Technical-vocational training has been integrated into senior high school through TESDA’s TVET programs, allowing students to specialize in fields like agribusiness, bookkeeping, or electrical work.
Currently, he noted that more than 2 million students benefit from free tuition in public colleges and universities under the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act.
Marcos noted that 260,000 additional students have received this benefit since the start of his term.
Next year, nearly P60 billion will be allocated for free public college and technical-vocational education, with special priority given to students from 4Ps and Listahanan families.
“Kung tutungtong naman sa kolehiyo, nakahanda ang malaking pondo para sa pagtutustos sa libreng pampublikong edukasyon sa kolehiyo. Pati na rin ang mga subsidy at financial assistance para sa mas higit pang nangangailangang estudyante,” the President said.
“Sa susunod na taon, maglalaan pa rin tayo ng halos 60 bilyong piso para sa libreng edukasyon sa pampublikong kolehiyo at sa TechVoc,” he added.
Marcos announced that children of families under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) will be given high priority for college assistance.
"Sa mga kasama naman sa Listahanan at 4Ps: itong susunod na tatlong taon, bibigyan natin nang mataas na prayoridad ang mga anak ninyong tutungtong sa kolehiyo," he said.
Moreover, Marcos also highlighted the Philippines’ growing youth participation in higher education, now second in ASEAN, and noted that 114 Philippine colleges and universities are internationally recognized, including 60 public institutions.
To further recognize academic excellence, the President announced the establishment of the Presidential Merit Scholarship for high school graduates who graduate with top honors.
Marcos called on the Congress for continued support in funding these reforms, vowing to ensure that every Filipino family will one day have a child who finishes college or technical-vocational training.
“Kung kalidad lang din ang pag-uusapan, hindi nagpapahuli ang mga unibersidad at kolehiyo natin dito sa bansa,” he said.
“Sulitin na ninyo ang mga pagkakataong ito,” Marcos added.
