President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Friday launched a series of higher education reforms in Laoag City, aimed at expanding access, improving quality, and ensuring that public investments in education deliver long-term value for Filipinos.
The initiatives, rolled out under the PBBM-GABAY ng Bayan Programs (Programa para sa Buti ng Bayan at Mamamayan: Galing, Akses, Batid at Angat Tungo sa Yaman ng Bayan), were formally introduced at the Ilocos Norte Centennial Arena.
Marcos emphasized that the reforms reflect a sustained and coherent approach to strengthening institutions while opening opportunities for learners across the country.
“When we speak of inclusive education, we speak in measurable, concrete, and sustained commitments to bring opportunities and hope closer to our learners and every family,” he said in a speech delivered by his son, Ilocos Norte 1st District Representative Sandro Marcos.
“We are reminded that education is a right that must reach every Filipino, no matter how far, how poor, how marginalized, or how difficult,” Marcos added.
A centerpiece of the launch was the signing of a joint memorandum circular by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) for the Bagong Pilipinas Merit Scholarship Program (BPMSP).
Representing “Galing” in GABAY, the BPMSP is a merit-based scholarship open to top-performing senior high school graduates nationwide, including those from the Philippine Science High School System and qualified TESDA National Certificate holders.
The program allows the top five graduates of each senior high school to pursue undergraduate or technical-vocational courses in high-performing institutions.
Marcos noted that the scholarship program is aligned with priority sectors to address workforce gaps and support national development.
“But scholarships alone will not solve every barrier. We know that for many Filipino families, the first obstacle is access. And often, access begins with something basic – information,” he said, highlighting the launch of Project Patuloy na Edukasyon, Patuloy na Pag-Ahon (Project PEPA).
Representing “Akses,” Project PEPA is a nationwide information caravan designed to provide timely and accurate details on government-funded education programs, targeting around 490,000 senior high school graduates from Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) households.
To further strengthen transparency and evidence-based policymaking, Marcos also introduced CHED-TANAW, a national higher education data visualization platform.
“In an age where data shapes decisions and drives accountability, we developed CHED-TANAW, the Commission’s National Higher Education Data Visualization Platform,” Marcos said.
“It strengthens transparency, it supports better policymaking, and through interactive maps and official data, it guides students towards legitimate and recognized institutions across the Philippines.”
The President also praised teachers, particularly those newly promoted under the Expanded Career Progression program, for their vital role in shaping learners.
He encouraged students to seize the opportunities provided by these reforms and urged institutions to remain united in purpose.
“Together, let us build a Bagong Pilipinas where education is a sturdy foundation for stronger families, a more capable workforce, and a more progressive nation,” Marcos said.