President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday ordered the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to effectively implement the Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP) Act, which grants college degrees based on work experience and prior learning.

During the launch of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the ETEEAP Act held in Malacañan Palace, the President said the law supports highly-skilled individuals who were not able to get to or complete college.

“This law gives our fellows who were not able to finish college a second chance… It supports caregivers, mechanics, technicians, and entrepreneurs- people who have long proven their skill but who now get the recognition that they properly deserve,” President Marcos said.

The ETEEAP Act opens doors to higher positions, better income, and more professional opportunities without taking time away from work in order to attend college.

President Marcos also said the ETEEAP Act helps higher education institutions (HEIs) become more inclusive by acknowledging that learning is not always linear and intelligence takes on many forms.

The law also leads to the development of stronger industries and a more competitive workforce, the President added.

“So, to the CHED and its partner agencies: Let’s ensure the implementation of this Act goes smoothly. Monitor our deputized HEIs and see to it that this law benefits those it was created for,” President Marcos ordered.

The President assured non-college graduates of the government’s support in their goal to improve their lives.

“Huwag kayong humintong mangarap. Ang tunay na sukatan ng dunong ay ang kakayahan ninyong harapin ang mga pagsubok upang matupad ang inyong mga pangarap. Naniniwala po akong patunay kayo na walang limitasyon sa kayang abutin ng bawat Pilipino,” President Marcos said.

“Together, let us shape a Bagong Pilipinas where every Filipino has the chance to be recognized, to grow, and to succeed,” the Chief Executive also said.

Signed by President Marcos on March 3, Republic Act 12124 or the ETEEAP Act would benefit non-college graduates who wish to earn a bachelor’s degree, as well as college graduates who wish to pursue a special graduate degree, without going through traditional schooling methods.

The program is based on academic equivalency and accreditation of prior learning or knowledge and expertise gained from relevant work experience and training. ǀ PND

In line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to honor the courage and sacrifices of Filipino seafarers, Malacañang paid tribute to Captain Roybel Tabobo and his crew for their heroic response during a maritime emergency in India.

Captain Tabobo and his team aboard the cargo vessel M/V Han Yi were among the first to respond to a distress call from the MSC Elsa 3, a cargo container vessel that sank off the coast of Kerala, India, on May 25.

Through quick thinking and expert seamanship, Tabobo’s team rescued nine Filipino crew members trapped aboard the sinking ship.

Upon his return to the Philippines on June 4, Tabobo was given a hero’s welcome.

In a Malacañang press briefing on Monday, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the government, through the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), paid tribute to Tabobo in recognition of his leadership, swift action, and selfless service.

Castro cited President Marcos’ directive to spotlight the heroism of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), especially those in high-risk professions such as maritime work.

“Ang pagkilala sa kabayanihan ni Captain Tabobo at ng kanyang crew ay ayon sa direktiba ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. na bigyang-pugay ang katapangan, husay, at sakripisyo ng mga Pinoy seafarers saan mang panig ng mundo,” Castro said.

Captain Tabobo’s actions have been widely praised as a reflection of the dedication, competence, and courage that define Filipino seafarers, considered among the best in the world. | PND

Recognizing that learning is not confined to the classroom, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday launched the implementing rules of the Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP) Act, which enables working professionals to complete their college education while remaining employed.

During the ceremony held in Malacañan Palace to launch the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the ETEEAP Act, the President emphasized that the program offers a valuable second chance for Filipinos who were unable to finish their college education due to life’s circumstances.

“Finally we have institutionalized what we have been dreaming to be able to do for many, many years,” President Marcos said.

“Because after all, we all understand learning is not confined to the classroom. Often, the most important lessons are learned in the workplace, on shop floors, helping run a family business. Each experience in life carries a lesson, which we consider the toughest yet most honest teacher,” the President added.

Republic Act 12124 or the ETEEAP Act that President Marcos signed on March 3, 2025 institutionalized an alternative education program that allows working professionals who were either unable to finish their college education or were completely unable to step into college for different reasons, to earn a bachelor’s degree without going through traditional schooling methods.

“With the signing of the IRR of the Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP) Act, we reaffirm a crucial principle: that experience can be just as valuable as formal education. That we trust the Filipinos’ ability to succeed, regardless of where or how they acquired their skills,” President Marcos stressed.

The President acknowledged that many Filipinos were unable to finish college as they needed to work for a living to support their families and put their siblings to school.

“Ngunit hindi nawala ang kanilang talino, diskarte, at determinasyon. Kaya naman, sa ilalim ng ETEEAP Act, maaari po nilang gamitin ang kanilang mga karanasan upang makamit ang kanilang diploma,” President Marcos said.

The ETEEAP Act provides a “clear and structured way to recognize the prior learning of individuals—be it from years of work or because they have taught themselves these skills—and match that with an academic equivalency,” said the President.

A key feature of the law is the inclusion of enrichment support, designed to help learners meet the academic and professional standards of their chosen degree, President Marcos also said.

The ETEEAP Act encourages higher education institutions to adopt flexible learning approaches such as online learning that are suited to the backgrounds, life experiences, and learning styles of the ETEEAP applicants. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is determined to give every Filipino child access to education, not just in the urban areas but most especially in conflict-inflicted and far-flung communities, or the “Last Mile Schools.”

In a Palace press briefing Monday, Presidential Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said President Marcos has instructed the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to accelerate the repair and construction of classrooms and basic school facilities, especially in remote and insurgency-affected areas.

“Hiniling ng Pangulo sa DepEd at DPWH na pabilisin ang pagkukumpuni ng mga sirang classroom, comfort rooms at handwashing stations,” Castro said.

“At tiyakin ang mas mabilis na pagtatayo ng bagong classrooms, lalo na sa mga barangay na dating apektado ng insurgency at sa mga ‘Last Mile Schools’ na matagal ng walang kuryente o pasilidad,” she added.

The “Last Mile Schools” refer to learning institutions in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs) where students often face extreme challenges due to a lack of electricity, water, internet access, and safe learning environments.

In his remarks during his visit to the Epifanio Delos Santos Elementary School in Malate on Monday, President Marcos stressed his administration’s commitment to serving underserved communities, particularly the improvement of internet connectivity in schools.

“Inuuna namin ‘yung mga tinatawag na GIDA, ‘yung mga underserved na mga lugar na malalayo. Mabuti na lang may teknolohiya na para makabuo tayo ng magandang sistema nationally,” the President said.

President Marcos expressed concern over the low percentage of schools with internet access, noting that it currently stands at around 60 percent.

The President has tasked the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to expand internet coverage urgently.

“Napakababa. Ang problema talaga kuryente. Kaya aayusin natin ‘yan. Dahan-dahan makikita natin magiging 100 percent ‘yan lahat,” President Marcos said.

President Marcos’ initiatives underscore his vision of a more inclusive and equitable education system where every Filipino child, regardless of geography, has access to safe, conducive, and connected learning environments. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said he has been checking the situation on the ground as part of the ongoing performance review of his government officials.

In the first part of the BBM Podcast Episode 2 which aired on Monday, President Marcos said he is inspecting project sites to ascertain if government officials have been doing their job.

“Makatanggap ka ng report na sasabihin, natapos namin ‘yung project, ganito ‘yung ginastos namin, may picture na maganda. Pero ‘pag pinuntahan mo, iba,” the President said.

“Eh totoo pala ‘yung report, maganda ‘yung report. Alam mo na ‘yung taong ‘yun hindi nagsisinungaling sa ‘yo. The other side is, binola ako nitong mga lokong ito. Alam mo na, itong mga ito hindi reliable ‘yan. Maghanap tayo ng iba,” President Marcos added.

President Marcos indicated he has counterchecked official reports.

“Kaya pupuntahan mo nga. Kung hindi ka nakakasiguro, halimbawa, may report, napakaganda ng lahat. Pero may kaibigan ka na taga-doon, sasabihin, ‘Boss, hindi totoo ‘yan. Hindi nila natapos.’ ‘Talaga?’ ‘Oo.’ ‘Halika puntahan natin.’ ‘Yun, pag-explainin mo ‘yung tao. Siyempre kung anu-ano ‘yung mga paliwanag niyan. Hindi mo pala kaya, sige, palitan kita. Hanap tayo ng mas magaling,” the President said.

The Chief Executive revealed that he had to replace some government heads in the past because of underperformance.

“Marami na. Hindi na lang namin ina-announce,” President Marcos said.

Last June 1 while riding the Metro Rail Transit line along EDSA, the President observed a particularly steep pedestrian overpass in Quezon City which he promptly ordered replaced.

Last June 9, during a visit to public schools in Bulacan President Marcos saw for himself the condition of decades-old school buildings as well as faulty toilets, and immediately ordered the restoration of water supply in schools.

President Marcos also recently visited Siquijor province and made sure that emergency generator sets arrived to address the power crisis.

The President also went to Samar and Leyte to fast-track measures to mitigate the social and economic impact brought about by the repair of the San Juanico Bridge.

“It’s still important to go and see things for yourself. Because it’s – of course, you read all the reports ‘no.. Iba-iba ang accuracy rating kung minsan,” the President said. | PND

Prompted by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s order to prevent deadly road crashes, the Department of Health (DOH) launched a campaign giving drivers free mental health support and road safety education.

President Marcos had ordered concerned government agencies to improve transportation safety while sympathizing with the families of 10 people who died in a bus collision in Tarlac and the two fatalities in a crash involving a sports utility vehicle at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on May 5.

“These incidents should never have happened. And now we will ensure they never happen again,” the President had said.

In a Malacañang press briefing on Monday, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the DOH launched the campaign for safe road practices on June 14.

“Tinututukan ng ahensiya ang pagbibigay ng accessible health services sa mga driver para pababain ang casualty rate ng car crashes sa bansa,” Castro said.

The campaign also offers free check-ups, road safety simulations and seminars, she said.

“Inaanyayahan natin lahat ng driver na makiisa para sa mas ligtas na mga kalsada,” Castro said.

At the Road Safety Summit that launched the campaign, the DOH highlighted the impact of mental wellness on road safety.

Every year, about 12,000 Filipinos die in road crashes, or about 33 people per day, according to the DOH.

Following the President’s order, other government agencies such as the Department of Transportation and the Department of Labor and Employment also came up with different actions aimed at improving road safety. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday witnessed firsthand the rapid response capability of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to emergency calls made through the 911 hotline.

Reporting to President Marcos, PNP chief P/Gen. Nicolas Torre III showed him a tablet displaying live footage from body cameras worn by on-duty police personnel who were patrolling the streets.

The President observed that police personnel are now capable of responding to emergency calls made through the 911 hotline within five minutes—or even as quickly as three minutes in some cases.

The Chief Executive emphasized that this rapid response time reflects ongoing efforts to modernize law enforcement operations and strengthen public safety.

President Marcos had earlier ordered Torre to make people feel genuinely safe by enhancing police visibility and quick response times.

Complying with the order, Torre abolished police boxes and police community precincts and deployed police officers on the streets.

The PNP chief ordered all lawmen who used to guard those facilities to go on patrol duty, either on foot or in vehicles, and keep their phone lines open for calls directed by 911. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. declared that all government officials are on probation and warned them to perform or face removal, stressing that governance is no longer business as usual.

In the first part of the BBM Podcast Episode 2 which aired on Monday, President Marcos emphasized that anyone who fails to perform well will be required to leave the service.

“Sa military kapag sinasabi, ito yung gagawin mo. Pag hindi mo (nagawa), o anong nangyari? Hindi ko nagawa kasi ganyan. Out. You’re relieved. Next. And that’s what we should do,” said the President.

The Chief Executive reiterated his earlier pronouncement that the entire government bureaucracy is “on probation” and that it should not be “business as usual.”

“We have to be very, very strict. Kahit kaibigan kita, mahal kita at lahat, pero hindi mo nagagawa yung trabaho. Hindi naman ito tungkol sa pagkakaibigan o pagmamahal natin sa isa’t isa kung hindi para sa serbisyo para sa tao,” President Marcos pointed out.

The President stated that even his friends who refuse to perform their duties will have to leave, emphasizing that government service is not about personal friendships.

President Marcos has earlier ordered a “continuing performance review” of all government officials, stressing he does not want complacency in the face of the country’s urgent concerns.

“Ayoko talaga ‘yung business as usual kasi ang dami nating problema. Naging problema ‘yan kasi business as usual tayo nang katagal-tagal. Ilang dekada tayong business as usual. Eh ano ang nangyari sa atin?” the President said.

President Marcos said he will be “very, very, very conscientious of hitting our targets on time. And that’s the important thing.”

“If you’re not helping, get out of the way. Okay? Kung hindi mo kami tutulungan, basta umalis ka na lang dito. Gawin mo ‘yung gusto mong gawin, pero pabayaan mo kaming magtrabaho. That’s my attitude all the time,” President Marcos said. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has directed government agencies to extend immediate support to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) affected by the Israel-Iran missile strikes.

President Marcos instructed the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) to ensure that no Filipino would be left behind should the conflict in the Middle East escalate.

“Ang direktiba ng Pangulo sa DFA, DMW at OWWA ay bilisan ang tulong sa ating mga kababayan. No one is left behind. ‘Yun ang tagubilin ng Pangulong Marcos Jr.,” Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in a Palace press briefing on Monday.

“Direktiba po ng Pangulo… ang DMW at OWWA ay dapat siguraduhin ang safety and well-being of the OFWs na apektado ng tensyon dito sa Middle East,” Castro added.

Castro said concerned government agencies are on heightened alert and prepared to provide immediate assistance to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Israel and Iran.

She noted that the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has a contingency plan in place in case repatriation from Iran becomes necessary.

Meanwhile, a government team has been deployed to Israel to help ensure the safety and well-being of Filipinos amid ongoing tensions.

At least four Filipinos in Israel were injured and brought to a hospital, according to the DFA.

Castro said two of them have been discharged from the hospital.

“Ang apat na kababayan po na nasugatan at nasa ospital, dalawa na po sa kanila ay nailabas at dalawa naman po ay nananatili sa pagamutan, at ipinagdarasal po natin ang mabilisan nilang paggaling,” said Castro.

Castro said that OFWs and their families seeking help may contact the DMW-OWWA Middle East local emergency hotline at 1348 or the overseas hotline at +6321348. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has directed several government agencies to ensure the smooth and safe resumption of classes, emphasizing the need to address students’ safety, well-being, and financial burden as the school year begins.

At the same time, President Marcos assured schools of the government’s continued support as he congratulated the Department of Education (DepEd), teachers, and school staff nationwide for an orderly opening of classes on Monday.

During his visit to the Epifanio Delos Santos Elementary School in Malate, Manila, the President urged teachers and school officials to notify the government of what they need to improve their teaching and enhance learning conditions.

“Kung ano pa ang inyong nakikita na puwedeng pagandahin pa, sabihan nyo lang kami… Congratulations sa maayos na first day of school,” President Marcos said in a teleconference with officials and teachers from various schools across the country- from La Union in northern Luzon to Sarangani in central Mindanao.

The President said teachers can submit suggestions or express concerns through the DepEd’s local, provincial or regional offices, as well as through their local government units (LGUs).

“Ibigay ninyo kung ano man ang sa inyong palagay ay maaari pa naming gawin para mas maging maganda ang takbo. Anyway, first day pa lang pero nakabantay kami sa inyong lahat para tiyakin na lahat ng pangangailangan, lalong-lalo ng ating mga kabataan ay kahit papaano maipaabot namin,” President Marcos said.

The Chief Executive tasked other government agencies, including the Department of Health (DOH), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Transportation (DOTr), Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT), to support the successful resumption of classes.

“Tiyakin na maganda ang presyo ng mga gamit at mabawasan ang mga gastos ng mga estudyante at saka ng mga magulang- DTI ‘yan at saka DOTr. DOH, tiyakin na meron tayong mga clinic, meron tayong mga medical facilities. Pati DSWD, lalung-lalo na kailangan nating bantayan ‘yung mga cyberbullying at yung mental health ng ating mga kabataan,” President Marcos said.

“Iyong PNP para talagang nakabantay, at ang DICT para tiyakin na magkaroon tayo ng connectivity,” the President added.

The President ordered the installation of closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems in and around schools to ensure the safety and security of students.

“Lahat talaga ng departamento, hanggang sa Office of the President, ay nakabantay ngayon sa inyo. Ito ang pinakaimportante naming ginagawa,” President Marcos said.

President Marcos said 16,000 of the 20,000 new teacher positions have been filled to cope with the growing student population.

Meanwhile, DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara said some 10,000 administrative officers will be hired to lessen the administrative tasks passed on to teachers. | PND