To keep higher education accessible to Filipinos, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. announced on Monday heftier investments in free public college education and technical-vocational (TechVoc) training programs.

In his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the Batasang Pambansa, President Marcos said that nearly PhP60 billion will be allocated to fund free tuition for millions of students in public colleges and TechVoc programs.

“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,” President Marcos said.

Currently, over two million students benefit from the government’s free higher education program each year.

Under President Marcos’ administration, an additional 260,000 youth gained access to the free college education program, helping more youth realize their dreams.

President Marcos said the government will prioritize the children of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) members for the free college and TechVoc programs.

The President also highlighted the increasing number of scholarships awarded by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). In 2024 alone, the TESDA awarded more than 200,000 additional scholarships, enabling more Filipinos to gain job-ready skills and training.

“Kitang-kita natin ang bunga ng mga programang ito. Napakataas ngayon ng bilang ng kabataan nating pumasok sa kolehiyo o sa TESDA,” the President said.

The Chief Executive added that the Philippines now ranks second in the Southeast Asian region for youth enrollment in college and TechVoc programs.

The President urged parents to fully seize these educational opportunities, emphasizing that the government’s goal is for every Filipino family to have at least one member who has graduated from college or completed a TESDA program. | PND

The government is now implementing zero-balance billing to ease the financial burden on patients who require medical care, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said on Monday.

“Itinuloy na po natin ang zero balance billing. Libre po,” President Marcos said in his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) delivered before a joint session of the Senate and the House of Representatives.

“Ibig sabihin, ang serbisyo sa basic accommodation sa ating mga DOH na ospital wala nang babayaran ang pasyente dahil bayad na ang bill ninyo,” the President said.

The medical assistance is funded by the Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP), Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), and Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor), and by the allocation to DOH hospitals, the President said.

The assistance is in addition to the financial support from the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).

“Uulitin ko, wala nang kailangan bayaran ang pasyente basta sa DOH hospital dahil bayad na po ang bill ninyo,” President Marcos emphasized, drawing applause.

President Marcos said PhilHealth expanded and enhanced the benefits for heart and renal disease.

President Marcos also announced that PhilHealth now covers the costs of open-heart surgery, as well as heart valve repair or replacement.

For kidney transplant, the coverage limit was increased to PhP2.1 million from PhP600,000.

Moreover, PhilHealth now covers services and medication for post-operative kidney transplant.

For severe dengue cases, PhilHealth coverage was increased to PhP47,000, while the limit for cataract operation was adjusted to PhP187,000 from PhP16,000, the President said.

PhilHealth also pays for the therapy and rehabilitation of persons with disabilities (PWDs) and their “assistive mobility devices,” defined as any device prescribed and adapted to improve safe and functional mobility towards social participation. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday asked Congress to amend the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund Act to make it more responsive to the needs of coconut farmers.

“Upang lubos na pasiglahin ang industriya ng niyog, hihilingin natin sa Kongreso na amyendahan ang Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund Act, para naman maging mas angkop sa mga pangangailangan ng ating mga magsasaka,” President Marcos said in his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA).

“Bahagi lamang ito ng ginagawa nating malawakang pagpapalakas ng iba’t iba pang mga industriya, kasama dito ang industriya ng asin, pagpoproseso, pag-export ng niyog,” the President added.

Signed into law in February 2021, the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund Act introduced reforms to the coconut industry aimed at ensuring the efficient utilization of the trust fund in line with the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan.

The development plan aims to benefit coconut farmers and their families, as well as the coconut industry as a whole.

President Marcos also announced that starting this year, around 15 million hybrid coconuts and high-quality coconut seeds will be planted in various parts of the country.

“At itutuloy natin ito hanggang 100 milyong puno na ng niyog ang ating maitatanim sa buong Pilipinas,” the President said.

With the help of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the coconut industry benefits from scientific discoveries through research and innovation conducted by Filipino scientists and inventors.

These include modern techniques such as the use of new varieties, fertilizers, and machinery, as well as strategies like intercropping and off-season techniques. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday delivered a sharp condemnation of corruption in flood control projects, calling out the widespread failure of public infrastructure supposedly meant to protect communities from flooding.

In his fourth State of the Nation Address, President Marcos condemned serious irregularities in flood control projects, which contributed to the recent extensive flooding caused by the southwest monsoon and Typhoons “Crising,” “Dante,” and “Emong.”

The President ordered a comprehensive audit and full transparency of flood control projects, as well as legal action against those found to have misused funds and illegally profited from such projects.

“Kitang-kita ko na maraming proyekto para sa flood control ay palpak at gumuho at ’yung iba, guni-guni lamang,” President Marcos said.

Calling out systemic misuse of public funds, President Marcos exposed how public works have been turned into a network of “kickbacks, initiatives, errata, SOP, for the boys,” which are terms referring to corrupt practices.

“Kaya sa mga nakikipagsabwatan upang kunin ang pondo ng bayan at nakawin ang kinabukasan ng ating mga mamamayan, mahiya naman kayo sa inyong kapwa Pilipino!” the President said, receiving a standing ovation from the audience at the House of Representatives.

The Chief Executive appealed for justice on behalf of flood victims and the future generations of Filipinos who will bear the burden of paying debt incurred through corrupt practices.

“Mahiya naman kayo sa mga kabahayan nating naanod o nalubog sa mga pagbaha. Mahiya naman kayo lalo sa mga anak natin na magmamana sa mga utang na ginawa ninyo, na binulsa n’yo lang ang pera,” the President continued, to more applause and cheers.

To prevent further corruption, President Marcos directed the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to submit a comprehensive list of all flood control projects in the last three years.

The list will be examined by the regional project monitoring committee that will report “those that have been failures, those that were not finished, and those that are alleged to be ghost projects.”

The list will be published for public scrutiny, the President declared.

“At the same time, there will be an audit and performance review regarding these projects to check and make sure and to know how your money was spent,” the President added.

“Sa mga susunod na buwan, makakasuhan ang lahat ng mga lalabas na may sala mula sa imbestigasyon. Pati na ang mga kasabwat na kontratista sa buong bansa,” President Marcos announced. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday silenced skeptics of his administration’s Benteng Bigas Meron Na program, saying rice at the affordable price of PhP20 per kilo will be available nationwide.

“Napatunayan na natin na kaya na natin ang bente pesos sa bawat kilo ng bigas nang hindi malulugi ang ating mga magsasaka,” President Marcos said in his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA).

“At dahil sa ilalaan nating 113 bilyong piso upang palakasin ang mga programa ng DA (Department of Agriculture), ilulunsad na natin ito sa buong bansa sa pamamagitan ng daan-daang Kadiwa store at center sa iba’t ibang lokal na pamahalaan,” the President stressed.

The Marcos administration has successfully launched outlets for the Benteng Bigas Meron Na program in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

Making rice more affordable and accessible reflects the administration’s commitment to ease the financial burden of Filipino families while sustaining the livelihood of the country’s farmers.

The Kadiwa ng Pangulo stores sell rice at PhP20 per kilo to members of vulnerable sectors which include indigents, senior citizens, solo parents, persons with disabilities, and minimum wage workers.

The Marcos administration aims to make rice available to the public nationwide at PhP20 per kilo. | PND

In his ongoing effort to provide accessible, affordable, and quality healthcare for all Filipinos, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday promised to establish more Bagong Urgent Care and Ambulatory Service (BUCAS) facilities across the country.

President Marcos made the commitment in his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA), delivered at the House of Representatives, underscoring the need to bring essential health services closer to the people, especially in underserved and remote areas.

“Asahan ninyo, marami pa ang ating bubuksan na BUCAS,” the President said.

The Chief Executive noted that over the past three years, the administration has established 53 BUCAS centers in 32 provinces.

These centers provide free outpatient services to patients who require urgent care but do not necessitate hospitalization. Among the services offered in these centers are free medical consultations, laboratory tests, and X-rays.

“At nasisiyahan ako na makapag-report na sa kauna-unahang pagkakataon, ang bawat bayan po sa Pilipinas ngayon ay may doktor. Mayroon nang magiging tagapag-alaga ng kalusugan ng mamamayan sa inyong lugar,” President Marcos said.

The establishment of BUCAS centers addresses the long-standing gaps in public healthcare, where many Filipinos are forced to travel great distances to access basic medical services.

With BUCAS centers present in several provinces, urgent medical care is just a few steps away for millions of Filipinos. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has designated former Court of Appeals Presiding Justice Mariflor Punzalan-Castillo as Acting Ombudsman, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin announced on Monday.

Punzalan-Castillo took her oath before Bersamin on Monday in Malacañang. She will serve as Acting Ombudsman following the retirement of Ombudsman Samuel Martires on July 27 after a seven-year term.

After graduating from the University of the Philippines College of Law and passing the Bar in 1979, Punzalan-Castillo became an investigator in the Office of the Tanodbayan (precursor of the Office of the Ombudsman).

She was promoted to Tanodbayan prosecutor in 1985 and appointed as Special Prosecution Officer III in the Office of the Special Prosecutor under the Office of the Ombudsman in 1989.

Castillo joined the judiciary in 1993 as a presiding judge at the Metropolitan Trial Court in Quezon City.

From 1999 to 2004, she served as a presiding judge at the Regional Trial Court (RTC) in Quezon City.

She was appointed an associate justice of the Court of Appeals on March 9, 2004. After nearly two decades, Castillo was named Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeals in 2023.

After 31 years in the judiciary, Castillo retired in September 2024 with a zero case backlog.

President Marcos will select the next Ombudsman from a list submitted by the Judicial and Bar Council.

With a non-renewable term of seven years, the Ombudsman is mandated to investigate complaints against government entities and officials, promote efficiency and integrity in public service, and ensure accountability. | PND

LEGAZPI CITY – Lawmakers from Albay expressed their hopes on Monday for the inclusion of key initiatives, such as transport infrastructure and support for farmers, in President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA).

They are particularly looking for programs that support farmers and workers, improvements to the Bicol railway, enhancements to the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX), and projects aimed at mitigating flooding across the country.

“A highlight we hope the President will address is the opening of the SLEX extension to Lucena. This critical artery will not only bring us closer to Metro Manila but also open up Bicol for greater trade, tourism, and economic activity,” Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Alfredo Garbin Jr. said.

He is also anticipating for the President to emphasize the acceleration of railway operations connecting Bicol to Manila, a change that promises faster mobility and long-term socioeconomic benefits for the region.

“These developments represent more than just infrastructure; they are lifelines that connect Bicolanos to opportunities. They signify a national commitment to ensure that progress is not solely concentrated in Metro Manila but is truly nationwide,” Garbin added.

Garbin expressed hope that the President would address the long-standing issues of flooding and climate vulnerability in the region, particularly concerning the Bicol River Basin.

He said this year’s SONA should go beyond mere statistics —it should instill confidence that no region is overlooked and no Filipino is left behind.

Albay 3rd District Rep. Adrian Salceda hoped that the President would focus on the needs of workers and farmers.

“I have been advocating for the Fair Wage Act, which aims for the gradual elimination of regional wage rates in favor of a national living wage. I believe President Marcos will also prioritize food security,” he said.

He said climate change and unstable trade conditions make it challenging to remain a net importer of food.

“That is why, we must emphasize food security, especially in areas where we can still achieve self-sufficiency or remain competitive, such as in corn and fish,” Salceda added.

The lawmaker also hoped that President Marcos would instruct agencies to expedite their proposals for the use of the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund.

“I am optimistic about the President’s upcoming SONA, especially as a freshman legislator from a coastal and rural district,” Salceda said. (PNA)

NEWS UPDATE: Itinaas na sa full alert status ang alerto ng Philippine National Police (PNP) kasabay sa isasagawang ika-apat na State of the Nation Address (SONA) ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
Nagpatupad na rin ng full deployment ang PNP ngayong Lunes ng umaga, Hulyo 28.
Sabi ni PNP Chief PGen. Nicolas Torre III, aabot sa 16,000 pulis ang ipapakalat sa buong SONA.
Pero sa kabuuan ay papalo sa 23,000 ang nakabantay sa SONA kabilang ang force multiplier mula sa AFP, BJMP, BFP at MMDA. | via Ryan Lesigues
#SONA2025 #IntegratedStateMedia #ISM

TINGNAN: Sa unang pagkakataon sa loob ng ilang dekada, walang red carpet sa North Wing at South Wing lobbies ng Batasang Pambansa para sa #SONA2025, bilang bahagi ng mas simpleng pagdaraos ng okasyon.

Nananatili naman ang red carpet sa main lobby na siyang pasukan patungong plenary hall. | via Mela Lesmoras (People’s Television Network)