MANILA — Much needs to be done to strengthen the Philippine educational system, promote social welfare, secure the nation and move forward for development, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. declared on Monday.
Speaking during the ceremonial signing of the Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo Act on Monday, President Marcos said he has placed great emphasis on the need to urgently bolster the education system since the start of his term to address the challenge.
Underscoring the importance of education, President Marcos said the Department of Education (DepEd) has laid down the building blocks of a modern and responsive educational system.
Through the MATATAG Agenda, the administration is addressing challenges to basic education by decongesting the basic education curriculum, building more classrooms and providing learning materials and internet connections, especially in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas, President Marcos said.
He further stressed that the government is also pursuing the school-based feeding program, fostering safe spaces for learning, and implementing other programs to support the learners’ welfare.
The MATATAG program of DepEd aims to reform and enhance the Philippine basic education system, focusing on addressing key challenges and setting a direction to a more promising future for Filipino youth.
President Marcos thanked legislators for their hard work particularly on the much-needed assistance for the MATATAG Agenda, a key component of which is to give financial support to teachers so they could concentrate on teaching.
“And I believe Congress has done significantly well in passing key pieces of legislation that support our national development agenda,” President Marcos said.
“With the passage of this law, we are easing some of the burden that you carry each day,” he added.
President Marcos also expressed gratitude to Congress for its passage of the Eddie Garcia Law and the Philippine Ecosystem and Natural Capital Accounting System Law, or PENCAS law, which he signed last May 24. (PND)
