President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday honored former Army commanding general, now-retired Lt. Gen. Roy Galido, recognizing his many accomplishments during a time of heightened security challenges.

“Beyond the titles and respect he has earned over the years, Lt. Gen. Galido has defined his leadership through dedication and discipline. Under his watch, the Philippine Army has made great strides on and off the battlefield,” President Marcos said during the change of command ceremony in the Army headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig.

The ceremony also served as retirement honors for Galido, who stepped down from military service upon reaching the compulsory retirement age of 57.

“You have pursued peace through civil-military operations that led to the surrender of armed fighters. Sa gitna ng labanan, armas ang inyong tangan upang ipagtanggol ang ating bayan,” President Marcos said, addressing Galido.

“Ngunit, batid kong mas malakas ang inyong pagnanais sa [mahinahong] pag-uusap at pagkakasundo. No Filipino desires peace more than the soldier who has to lay down his or her life for his duty,” the Commander-in-Chief said.

President Marcos said that the Philippine Army grew stronger under Galido, with troops given new tools and better equipment that enabled them to move faster, respond better, and serve more effectively.

The Chief Executive also acknowledged Galido’s efforts in helping strengthen the Philippines’ bonds with allies to improve intelligence-sharing and joint operations.

President Marcos said that under Galido, the Philippine Army Reserve Force has stepped up in times of disasters, bringing relief and hope to affected communities.

“You forged partnerships with other government agencies and sectors, expanding camps, developing bases, and turning Army lands into self-sustaining spaces,” President Marcos told Galido.

“Lieutenant General Galido, mula sa puso ng sambayanang Pilipino, maraming, maraming salamat. Sa panahong puno ng hamon sa ating seguridad, ipinagtanggol mo ang ating bansa at nagbigay ka ng inspirasyon sa ating lahat,” the Chief Executive said. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday reiterated his full support for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) as he formally installed Lt. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete as the new Commanding General of the Philippine Army.

President Marcos expressed confidence that the Philippine Army will continue to stand as a pillar of strength, integrity, and professionalism.

“Kaya’t sa araw na ito, bilang inyong Commander-in-Chief, ipinapangako ko na ipagpapatuloy natin at patitibayin pa natin ang ating Sandatahang Lakas. We owe you nothing less than our full support,” President Marcos said in his speech at the turnover of command ceremonies held at the Philippine Army headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig.

Nafarrete, now the 67th commander of the 110,000-strong Philippine Army, succeeded Lt. Gen. Roy Galido who stepped down upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 57.

“You will be assuming your role at a time when geopolitical tensions and global uncertainty are high. This will demand your vigilance and leadership to deliver clear direction and to show firm commitment,” President Marcos said, addressing Nafarrete.

“I have full confidence that under your command, the Philippine Army will remain steadfast [as] a pillar of strength and integrity, professionalism,” the Commander-in-Chief said.

Nafarrete previously served as commander of the AFP’s Western Mindanao Command, which is responsible for the defense against communist insurgents and Islamic militants in the Zamboanga Peninsula, Central Mindanao, Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Lanao del Sur, and parts of Lanao del Norte.

Nafarrete had also served as commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, the military’s leading force provider in Central Mindanao. | PND

Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to Undertake a State Visit to India

MANILA, 31 July 2025 – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. will embark on a five-day State Visit to the Republic of India from 04 to 08 August 2025, upon the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

After official meetings and events in New Delhi, President Marcos and his delegation will travel to Bangalore.

The President will meet with the business sectors in both cities.

President Marcos will also have a meet and greet with the Filipino Community in New Delhi.

The last State Visit to India by a Philippine President was undertaken by then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in October 2007. Meanwhile, then Indian President Ram Nath Kovind undertook a State Visit to the Philippines in October 2019.

The Philippines and India are celebrating the 75th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations in 2025

Close to a million Bayanihan SIM cards are expected to be distributed by year’s end to help about five million Filipinos in far-flung areas connect to the internet, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) said on Wednesday.

In discussions following President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s fourth State of the Nation Address, DICT Secretary Henry Aguda said they are fast-tracking the Bayanihan SIM Card Project as it is primarily intended to support online learning for students in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs).

The DICT has a total of 1,008,000 SIM cards to distribute until next year. Initially, the DICT projected that only around 600,000 SIM cards would be distributed this year, with the balance to be distributed in 2026.

Each SIM card comes with 25 gigabytes of usable data, which is automatically renewed monthly and valid for one year.

Given the project’s primary goal, Aguda said cell sites accommodating the Bayanihan SIM cards will be built near or at public school premises.

Telecommunications companies will put up the cell sites at no cost to the government, Aguda said.

Students and teachers are the primary beneficiaries of the project, but they can also bring the SIM cards home for their families to use, Aguda added. | PND

Beginning with Siargao Airport, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) will upgrade the country’s airports, especially the gateways to tourist destinations, to further boost tourism and the economy.

“Kaya, next week sisimulan na natin ang expansion ng Siargao Airport. Sa darating na taon, maayos na, luluwag na at gaganda na ang Siargao Airport,” DOTr Secretary Vince Dizon said Wednesday during the 2025 Post-State of the Nation Address (SONA) Discussions in San Juan City.

“At ganun din ang gagawin natin sa ibat-ibang mga airports at iba pang transportation facilities sa Luzon, Visayas, at Mindanao, lalo na ang mga tourist areas,” Dizon added.

Dizon said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ordered the improvement of airports, notably those that serve as gateways to tourist spots.

The DOTr chief mentioned the ongoing improvements at the Godofredo P. Ramos Airport in Caticlan, Aklan, which serves tourists headed to the world-famous Boracay Island.

On July 14, President Marcos led the groundbreaking for the new passenger terminal building of the Godofredo P. Ramos Airport.

The President said the government is working to open the Philippines to more global investors and international tourists by upgrading and constructing airports nationwide, providing direct international access to key destinations beyond Manila.

Dizon said public infrastructure projects, such as the rehabilitation and construction of airports, benefit not only the economy in general but the people in the community through more jobs and business opportunities.

“Maraming trabahong na-create, maraming kabuhayan ang na-create at bumubuti ang mga kababayan natin doon. Pero kailangan pagandahin naman natin ang infrastructure,” Dizon said. ǀ PND

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Wednesday underscored the Marcos administration’s whole-of-government approach to job creation and worker protection, recognizing inter-agency “convergence” as a defining strategy in addressing employment challenges.

During the Post-State of the Nation Address (SONA) Discussions on education and workers’ welfare, DOLE Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma spoke of government efforts to comply with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to intensify employment generation, particularly for the remaining 4 percent of the labor force who are still unemployed.

“Ang pagtukoy at pagbanggit ng ating Pangulo doon sa mga specific na departamento at mga ahensiya kaugnay sa usapin ng hanapbuhay at sa larangan ng paggawa ay sumasalamin doon sa isang mahalagang, ika nga’y masasabi natin na hallmark o characteristic ng pangkasalukuyang administrasyon,” Laguesma said.

“Ang aking tinutukoy ay iyong katagang ‘convergence’—pagsasama-sama, pagtatagpo, pagkakaisa at pagsasanib ng puwersa ng mga departamento, dahil halos lahat naman ng mga departamento ay may kaugnayan sa usapin ng paggawa at panghanapbuhay,” Laguesma added.

Laguesma acknowledged several collaborative programs as examples of this strategy in motion, including the “Trabaho sa Bagong Pilipinas” initiative for graduating 4Ps beneficiaries, the strengthening of job facilitation efforts through monthly nationwide job fairs, and the enhancement of the online labor market platform PhilJobNet to serve tech-savvy job seekers better.

The labor chief also highlighted the importance of synergy with local government units, the private sector, and business organizations to sustain and expand employment opportunities.

Youth employability and access to quality, long-term jobs remain at the core of DOLE’s agenda, Laguesma said.

The education and workers’ welfare development discussion is part of a series of post-SONA discussions that highlight the government’s efforts to promote transparency and deepen public engagement on the Marcos administration’s key policy priorities. | PND

Many overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) have benefited from the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) AKSYON Fund supported by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said on Wednesday.

The DMW AKSYON Fund is a comprehensive support system that offers legal assistance, medical assistance, financial aid, repatriation services, and emergency assistance.

“Nakakadalawang Labor Day instructions na si Pangulo na patingkarin iyong AKSYON Fund, which is a legal assistance fund at iyong binanggit ng Pangulo na mga tulong natin sa mga kaso sa abroad,” Cacdac said during the 2025 Post-State of the Nation Address (SONA) Discussions in San Juan City.

Cacdac cited a case in Saudi Arabia involving an OFW on death row, who was eventually acquitted through the support provided by the fund.

In Qatar, Filipinos charged with illegal assembly were eventually freed and had their travel ban lifted, Cacdac said.

The DMW chief said the fund was also used to assist OFWs facing legal cases in Kuwait.

“Ang cases na kinaharap nila ay iba’t ibang kasong kriminal at mga labor cases din kung saan tinutulungan natin sila doon,” Cacdac said.

The AKSYON Fund is not just a legal fund, but also a medical and financial assistance fund.

Recently, the government successfully brought home from Qatar a Filipino suffering from stage 4 cancer, Cacdac said.

“Mayroon din tayong tinutulungan na mga pasyente. Binabayaran natin iyong kanilang hospital bills kapag hindi masagot ng insurance. Ito ang mga natutulungan ng ating AKSYON Fund na iginawad ng Kongreso at ng ating mahal na Pangulo para sa mga OFWs,” Cacdac added. | PND

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) assured the public on Wednesday that the eGOV Super App is stable and secure for millions of users.

The eGOV Super app is a unified online platform that integrates multiple government services into a virtual one-stop shop, making government transactions easier and convenient for the public.

In a post-State of the Nation Address (SONA) discussion in San Juan City, DICT Secretary Henry Aguda said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has ordered them to ensure the application’s stability and safety.

“Bago namin ni-launch ‘yan (eGOV Super app), pinag-aralan namin mabuti ‘yung security aspect niyan,” Aguda said.

“Ang sabi ng Presidente, alam mo pag lahat na ng mga serbisyo nandiyan na at 80 milyong Pilipino ang gumagamit, hindi puwede mag-down ‘yan. Isipin mo na lang ‘di ba pagka isang segundo lang mag-down ‘yan, dami ng tatawag sa amin. So, sinigurado po natin ‘yan,” he continued.

“Tuloy-tuloy po ‘yung pagtatrabaho namin sa departamento para masigurado na stable and secure ‘yung eGOV Super App,” Aguda assured.

Aguda spoke of nonstop efforts to further strengthen the app’s reliability and security.

Currently, the eGOV Super App offers access to over 40 government services from both national and local agencies.

Aguda shared that the application has been recognized internationally.

“Darating ang panahon, sasabihin nila only in the Philippines, mayroon ka ngayong app, lahat ng serbisyo, mapasa lokal na gobyerno, mapasa national na gobyerno, nagagamit na po, nakukuha niyo doon,” he said. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has directed the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to fast-track the activation and operation of the remaining 45 out of 48 Dalian trains—procured over a decade ago— for the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) line along EDSA.

In a post-State of the Nation Address (SONA) forum in San Juan City on Wednesday, DOTr Secretary Vince Dizon said the President was disappointed over the long period that the Dalian trains have remained unused, despite their potential to ease commuter woes.

“‘Yun ang utos ng Pangulo, dalian na natin ‘yung Dalian,” Dizon said.

“Masyado nang matagal ‘yung sampung taon, na binayaran ‘yan ng partially ng gobyerno. Dapat ‘yan ang pangako niyan magamit para lalong bumilis ang pagbiyahe sa MRT para hindi na masyadong naghihintay ng matagal ‘yung ating mga kababayan,” Dizon said, echoing the President’s sentiments.

Dizon said the first three Dalian trains were successfully deployed and have been operational for the past three weeks.

He said many passengers enjoyed looking at the Dalian trains for their unique appearance.

“Pagka nakikita nila ‘yung Dalian, talagang pini-picture-an at bini-video nila kasi nga nakakatuwa kasi bago siya. Iba ang kulay, matingkad ‘yung kulay,” Dizon said.

“Kaya ang utos ng ating Pangulo ay dapat magamit na natin lahat once and for all,” Dizon stressed.

Dizon said that six more Dalian trains are set to be operational within the year. The remaining 39 units are slated for activation next year.

“So ang commitment natin ngayong taong ito, madagdagan pa natin ng anim pa kasi ‘yun ang sa kasalukuyang inaayos at tini-test. Pero ang pipilitin natin, next year, ‘yung 39 na matitirang tren ay lahat magagamit na natin next year,” Dizon said.

Named after the city in China where they were manufactured, the Dalian trains were left unused due to technical compatibility issues with local rail systems. | PND

The Department of Education (DepEd) is currently delivering laptops and other learning items to around 46,000 public schools nationwide to help students fully benefit from technology in learning, DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara said on Wednesday.

“Habang nag didiskasyon po tayo dito, ginagawa na po natin. Nagdi-deliver na po tayo sa 46,000 public schools nationwide,” Angara said during the 2025 Post-State of the Nation Address (SONA) discussion among Cabinet officials held at the Makabagong San Juan National Government Center in San Juan City.

Angara said President Ferdinand R. Marcos has directed the Department of Education (DepEd) to resolve the immediate concerns of teachers and learners.

As an example, Angara noted that many students performed poorly in computerized examinations simply because they did not know how to use a computer mouse, highlighting the urgent need to improve digital literacy in schools.

“Isa sa mga rason kung bakit lagpak ho tayo sa international assessment exams, unang beses makahawak ng examinee o ng estudyante yung mouse ng computer. Kaya isang oras hindi nya masagot iyong mga questions,” Angara said.

He said DepEd has provided all students who took the last Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) exams with laptops.

“Alam naman natin, we are living in the age of artificial intelligence. Kailangan po natin ng makabagong gadgets at magandang datos. Otherwise, hindi natin ma-realize itong benefits of technology,” Angara said.

Aside from laptops, Angara said DepEd is distributing a total of two million learning materials, including books and classroom furniture, which have not been delivered to public schools under the previous DepEd leadership.

“Sa nakaraang mga nakaupo kasi, hiniwalay nila iyong pagbili at iyong pagdeliver. Dapat siguro pag nangontrata ka ng mga kagamitan kasama ang delivery. Doon nakatengga two million items, iyong mga laptops,” Angara said.

“In fact, takot ilabas. Noong bago ako umupo, sabi ko gamitin na natin iyan,” he added.

Angara said he had asked for the assistance of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to deliver the items to the public schools.

“Naniniwala ang publiko na kaya natin gawin ang grand visions natin kapag na-reresolba natin ang day-to-day problems like delivering things on time. Kapag nakita nilang nagagawa natin iyan, maniniwala sila doon sa mga grandeng bisyon natin,” Angara said. ǀ PND