To cap his birthday activities, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. brought joy to many as he visited Valenzuela Medical Center (VMC) on Saturday to check on the implementation of the government’s zero balance billing policy, or the Bayad na Bill Mo program.

The zero balance billing policy implemented in Department of Health (DOH) hospitals, ensures that patients admitted to ward or basic accommodation services do not incur out-of-pocket expenses for their treatment.

Upon his arrival at VMC, the President was warmly welcomed by hospital staff members holding banners with birthday greetings.

Accompanied by First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos and presidential son, Joseph Simon, the President toured several key facilities of the hospital, including the pediatric ward, the Kangaroo Mother Care ward, and the surgery section.

During the visit, the President witnessed how the Bayad na Bill Mo program cleared out three patients’ medical bills totaling over PhP3.5 million.

The three beneficiaries were Delia Paaño, 75, who is battling with acute respiratory failure and incurred a hospital bill of over PhP1.8 million; Johnny Mercado, diagnosed with sepsis, whose hospital bill reached over PhP1.1 million; and a newborn named Prince Ibrahim Arbolado with a medical bill amounting to more than PhP610,000.

Launched in August, the zero balance billing policy has already benefited thousands of Filipinos nationwide.

In his latest podcast, President Marcos reaffirmed the sustainability of the program, stressing that public funds are meant to provide vital health services. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Saturday encouraged the commuting public to take advantage of the newly revived “Love Bus,” the iconic 1970s transport service now modernized with a fleet of electric buses offering safe, affordable, and eco-friendly transportation.

“Kaya ngayon ay binubuhay ulit natin… Pero ngayon ay mas bago na hindi na kagaya ‘yung dati, ‘yung normal na bus. Ito mga electric na ito. At malaking tulong ito para pagbawas sa polusyon, para sa gastos ng krudo,” President Marcos said during the launching of the Love Bus “Libreng Sakay” program at the Valenzuela Gateway Complex.

The President stressed that the Love Bus project is designed to ease the daily burdens of commuters in Metro Manila, from long waiting times to heavy traffic and air pollution.

“Kaya tangkilikin po ninyo ang ating bagong ‘Love Bus’ para makabawas sa pasahe at makapag-savings nang kaunti,” the President said.

“Mabawasan ang traffic, mabawasan ang pollution dahil nga electric at malaking tulong po ito para sa ating sitwasyon dito sa Metro Manila na kung minsan napakatagal maghintay bago dumating ang bus, napakabigat ng trapik, ang bagal-bagal ng takbo na binubugahan tayo ng exhaust ng mga bus. ‘Yan mababawasan na po lahat ‘yan,” the President added.

The new 20 electric bus fleet, plying various routes in the metro, offer free rides for persons with disabilities (PWDs) and senior citizens.

President Marcos said students will soon enjoy a 50-percent fare discount under the program.

As part of the launch, all rides will be free for everyone during the entire month of September.

The President recalled that the original Love Bus was launched during the term of his mother, former First Lady Imelda Marcos, then governor of Metro Manila, as one of the first projects to make public transport more accessible and affordable.

The President, meanwhile, thanked the local government of Valenzuela for hosting the launch, citing the leadership of the Gatchalian family.

“Kaya naman napili namin dito sa Valenzuela dahil alam ko kung sino man ang lungsod na kayang pagandahin ito — na gawin itong programang ito, ito po ang ating mga magigiting na lider dito sa Valenzuela, mga Gatchalian,” the President said.

Present during the event were Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, Valenzuela 1st District Representative Kenneth Ting Gatchalian, Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian, and Valenzuela City Mayor Weslie Gatchalian. | PND

The newly created Independent Commission for Infrastructure will immediately begin investigating anomalous flood control and related projects from the past 10 years, with Malacañang expressing hopes of completing the probe within a few months.

The Palace on Saturday announced that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has appointed former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Rogelio L. Singson and SGV and Co. Country Managing Partner Rossana A. Fajardo as the two members of the ICI, as well as Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong as the Commission’s Special Adviser.

“The Commission will begin its work immediately,” Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in a press briefing.

Castro said the ICI would work in the fastest time possible, although the extent of the investigation into corruption, irregularities, and misuse of public funds in DPWH flood control and related projects over the past decade is considerable.

“Wala pong masasabi agad na timeline. Ang pinaka-timeline dito ay mas agaran o mas mabilisang pagtatrabaho. At mas mainam po matapos po ito sa loob lamang ng ilang buwan,” Castro said.

“Pero sabi nga po natin, sa dami po ng records na dapat aralin ay bigyan po natin ng pagkakataon ang ICI na aralin lahat ang mga dokumento para po kapag po may sinampahang kaso ay kumpleto naman po ang mga dokumento,” Castro added.

President Marcos will announce the chairperson of the ICI in the coming days, according to Castro.

Under Executive Order No. 94, President Marcos tasked the ICI to investigate and gather evidence and information on irregularities in government flood control and infrastructure projects.

The ICI shall also recommend the filing of appropriate cases before the Office of the Ombudsman, Department of Justice, Civil Service Commission (CSC), and other competent bodies, and propose corrective measures to ensure transparency and accountability in infrastructure programs.

Malacañang reiterated that the ICI members would conduct their investigation impartially and thoroughly.

“Kagaya nang paulit-ulit na sinabi ni Pangulo, walang sasantuhin dito kahit kamag-anak, kaibigan, kaalyado. There will be no sacred cows,” Castro said. | PND

The iconic 1970s “Love Bus” is making its comeback to the streets of Metro Manila offering free rides for commuters.

Coinciding with his 68th birthday, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Saturday led the launching of the Love Bus “Libreng Sakay” program at the Valenzuela Gateway Complex, highlighting the government’s commitment to provide safe, affordable, and inclusive public transport, especially for persons with disabilities (PWDs) and senior citizens.

President Marcos personally experienced the service as he arrived at the venue aboard one of the units, together with First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos and their son, Joseph Simon.

The new fleet of 20 electric Love Buses will provide free rides for all PWDs and senior citizens at all times, while ordinary commuters may avail of free rides during peak hours from 6AM to 9AM and 5PM to 8PM.

For the entire month of September, rides will be free for everyone as part of the initiative’s launch.

Each bus has a 20 seating capacity, 10 standing capacity, and space for four wheelchairs, with ramps and other accessibility features that make it PWD-friendly. The bus will operate from 5AM to 10PM.

To ride the buses, commuters must download and register through the Love Bus mobile app, which is currently available on Android and will be released on the Apple App Store next week.

In partnership with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Global Electric Transport, the Love Bus will ply different routes in Metro Manila routes.

Pilot runs for the program were earlier held in Cebu and Davao last July.

President Marcos first announced the revival of Love Bus during his fourth State of the Nation Address on July 28.

First launched in the 1970s as a project of former First Lady Imelda Marcos, the Love Bus was the country’s first air-conditioned bus service, offering a modern alternative to jeepneys and regular buses and becoming a symbol of urban progress. | PND

Marking his 68th birthday, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. visited Valenzuela Medical Center (VMC) on Saturday to inspect the implementation of the zero balance billing policy and ensure Filipinos, especially the poor and the vulnerable, can access healthcare services.

The zero balance billing policy is a key Marcos administration initiative aimed at eliminating out-of-pocket expenses for patients confined in ward or basic accommodation services of the Department of Health (DOH) hospitals.

Upon his arrival at the VMC, the President was warmly greeted by medical professionals and hospital staff holding banners with birthday greetings.

Accompanied by First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos and presidential son, Joseph Simon Marcos, the President toured various facilities, including the pediatric ward, Kangaroo Mother Care ward, and the surgery section. | PND

To enhance aviation education in the country, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signed Republic Act No. 12255, declaring the Philippine State College of Aeronautics (PhilSCA) as the national professional institution for aviation and renaming it as the National Aviation Academy of the Philippines (NAAP).

Under RA 12255, the NAAP is mandated to develop leaders in the Philippine aviation and aerospace industries, both in the private sector and government, including the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and its three main branches- the Philippine Air Force, Philippine Navy, and the Philippine Army- as well as the uniformed personnel.

To achieve this goal, the NAAP shall provide world-class academic and professional training, offer advanced professional studies and specialization for aviation, intensify technological research and development, and offer industry-driven programs.

The NAAP shall offer short-term, technical-vocational, undergraduate, and graduate courses on specialization in aviation and related programs, such as Bachelor of Science in Air Transportation specializing in Commercial Pilot; Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Engineering, including Drone Technology; Associate in Aircraft Maintenance Technology; and Associate in Aircraft Electronic Technology leading to Baccalaureate in Aircraft Maintenance Technology and Baccalaureate in Aircraft Electronics Technology.

The NAAP shall also provide education in Aviation Safety and Security, Supply Chain Management specializing in Aviation Logistics, and Aviation Information Technology.

“The NAAP shall utilize the expertise of its community members and other individuals concerning the country’s goals towards national development in the primary areas of aviation and other related fields for the improvement of the quality of life, growth of the economy, and transformation of the society,” RA 12255 read.

President Marcos signed RA 12255 on September 5, 2025. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has designated the two members of the newly formed Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), created to investigate corruption in flood control projects over the past decade, citing their proven competence and integrity.

President Marcos appointed former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Rogelio L. Singson and SGV and Co. Country Managing Partner Rossana A. Fajardo as the two Commission members, Malacañang announced on Saturday.

The President also named Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong as Special Adviser who will act as an investigator of the Commission.

Under Executive Order No. 94 issued on September 11, President Marcos created the ICI to investigate and recommend appropriate charges against government officials, employees, or individuals involved in anomalies in flood control and related projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) within the last 10 years.

“To lead this task, the President has appointed individuals of proven competence, integrity, and deep familiarity with infrastructure, finance, and institutional reform,” Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in a press briefing in Malacañang on Saturday.

Castro said President Marcos himself will announce the chairperson of the ICI in the coming days.

Castro said Singson brings decades of direct experience in both the planning and execution of major government infrastructure projects, having served as head of the DPWH from 2010 to 2016 and the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) from 1998 to 2002.

“As former Secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways, he led one of the most significant reform efforts in the agency’s history, introducing systems to promote transparency, eliminate ghost projects, and ensure proper use of public funds,” said Castro.

“His technical understanding of how projects are designed, procured, and implemented will be essential to this commission’s work,” she added.

Currently the Country Managing Partner of SGV and Co., the Philippines’ largest professional services firm, Fajardo has over three decades of experience in auditing internal controls and risk management, “especially in identifying weaknesses in financial system and operational processes,” said Castro.

The Palace Press Officer said Fajardo has worked across both public and private sectors to “help organizations detect fraud, strengthen governance and build more accountable institutions.”

“Her technical insight and financial acumen are critical in following the trail of public funds and determining where leakages and irregularities may have occurred,” Castro stressed.

Meanwhile, Magalong has handled sensitive, high-impact investigations and helped lead institutional reforms in law enforcement, having served as Deputy Director General of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and former Director of the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.

“His experience in leading difficult investigations, uncovering internal wrongdoing, and enforcing compliance makes him a strong asset to this commission,” Castro said. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday officially opened the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship 2025, marking the first time the Philippines is hosting the tournament since its last staging in Asia by Japan in 1998 and 2006.

President Marcos stood as the guest of honor at the opening ceremonies of the 21st edition of the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship, which is taking place at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City from September 12 to 28.

President Marcos officially opened the games by making a ceremonial serve on the court.

The FIVB or International Volleyball Federation is the sole governing body for all forms of volleyball globally.

The Philippines is only the second Asian country to host the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship, after Japan organized the games in 1998 and 2006.

It will be the first edition of the World Championship under the new format and periodicity.

The FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship used to be played once every four years. Now it will be three years from the previous edition, after which the World Championship will be held every two years.

For the first time, 32 national teams will participate in the tournament. ǀ PND

College graduates no longer need to travel far to secure their academic credentials, as these documents can now be accessed through the eGovPH Super App for job applications.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday officially launched the Electronic Certification, Authentication, and Verification (eCAV) System, a digital platform designed to streamline students’ access to academic records such as diplomas, transcripts of records (TOR), and other certificates necessary for their job applications.

During the launch event held at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City, President Marcos said college graduates no longer have to physically visit their school, as academic credentials can now be accessed anytime and anywhere through the eGovPH Super App.

The eGovPH Super App is a mobile application that integrates various national and local government services, eliminating the need to visit multiple agencies for a transaction.

“Hindi na kailangang bumiyahe nang malayo pa. Sa pamamagitan ng eGovPH Super App, maaari nang makakuha [ang] estudyante o bagong graduate ng academic credential para sa kanilang job application,” President Marcos said.

Key features of the eCAV system include online payments, real-time tracking, timely updates of application status, and a downloadable copy of the applicant’s certificates from their account or email.

Under Republic Act No. 11261, or the First Time Jobseekers Assistance Act, first-time jobseekers can be exempt from the CAV fee by providing a barangay certification.

Alongside the event, President Marcos also announced various government assistance given to college students, including full or partial tuition fee aid, subsidy, grant, and reimbursement opportunity.

These various forms of assistance are provided under the Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education (UniFAST) Scholarship, which aims to strengthen the education system to achieve a stronger and globally competitive workforce. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has directed implementing agencies to strengthen and broaden the reach of the Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education (UniFAST), ensuring that more students will receive the support they need to complete their college education.

The UniFast is a government initiative aimed at providing tuition fee assistance to qualified students from state and Commission on Higher Education (CHED)-recognized local universities and colleges across the country.

In his speech during the awarding of the CHED UniFast scholarships and official launch of the Electronic Certification, Authentication, and Verification (eCAV) System in Pasay City on Friday, President Marcos emphasized the importance of education in creating a competitive workforce for a stronger economy.

“Our assistance to our students proves that the returns are immeasurable when the government invests in people. When we strengthen education, we also strengthen our workforce and we forge a better future for our economy, for our country,” the President said.

“Kaya ito ang aking direktiba: Palawakin pa natin ang saklaw ng UniFAST. Tiyakin natin na malinaw ang guidelines na naipapaalam ito sa mga magulang at mag-aaral bago pa magsimula ang pasukan,” the President ordered.

President Marcos also ordered concerned agencies to intensify the dissemination of accurate information regarding the program to prevent misinformation.

The Chief Executive likewise called on all state and local universities and colleges, private higher education institutions, local governments, and partners to continue working with the government for the betterment of the country’s education sector.

“I also call on Congress to help us strengthen UniFAST so that we can implement it fully as intended in the letter of that law,” President Marcos said.

The President vowed to continue improving the country’s education system to ensure Filipinos can compete with the best in the world. | PND