Latest news with #Ferdinand'Bongbong'MarcosJr.
GMA Network
2 hours ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
ARAL Act, revised senior high program adopted for learning recovery
When President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. delivered his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) in 2024, he ordered that the gaps in the Philippine education system be addressed as he lamented the 'poor reality' hounding young learners. Back then, the President cited international assessments revealing that more than half of students in Grades 6, 10, and 12 failed to reach the ideal proficiency levels, faring low in information literacy, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills. Marcos thus declared that the national learning recovery program must proceed 'without the slightest disruption,' especially in basic education. 'Our system of education must be strategically calibrated to make sure that our youth are not only taught to become literate. But, it must also consciously develop them into problem-solvers, and into critical thinkers—hungry for success, ready for the future,' he said in his third presidential address. This was a resounding call to address the country's persistent learning crisis, one deepened by years of lockdowns due to the pandemic and underinvestment despite the education sector being given the highest budgetary priority as mandated by the 1987 Constitution. This year, Marcos is set to return to Batasang Pambansa to deliver his fourth SONA, which marks the middle of his term as president. Where does the country stand now in terms of implementing the learning recovery program? In its Year Two report released in January, the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) pointed out that the Department of Education's (DepEd) own National Learning Recovery Program (NLRP) faces 'significant criticism and is in need of massive reforms' due to certain flaws in its design. To recall, the DepEd adopted the NLRP in 2023 under the leadership of then-Education Secretary, Vice President Sara Duterte, to address the learning gaps that were heightened by school closures and disruption during the COVID-19 pandemic. The NLRP also aims to deal with the low performance of Filipino learners in international, large-scale, and national assessments. EDCOM 2, a congressional body tasked to make a comprehensive assessment and evaluation of the performance of the Philippine education sector, recommended that the NLRP be revamped to ensure proper targeting, prompt support, and proper assessment of students that require urgent intervention—with a focus on those lacking foundational competencies. This call for reforms was welcomed by Duterte's successor as DepEd chief, Sonny Angara. ARAL Law One notable move made by the Marcos administration since the 2024 SONA was signing into law the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) Act, which establishes a national learning intervention program for struggling learners to meet grade-level standards. Led by DepEd, the ARAL program is a free project that would focus on improving students' competencies in essential learning areas, including reading and mathematics for Grades 1 to 10, and science for Grades 3 to 10. As for the Kindergarten learners, the program would focus on building foundational skills to strengthen their literacy and numeracy competencies. Tutorial sessions would also be conducted either through a face-to-face, online, or blended learning approach to help ensure the effectiveness and accessibility of learning. Angara said he believes that the new law would significantly improve Filipino students' performance in international assessments, like the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA), in the long term. However, he admitted that immediate results might not be evident in time for the 2025 PISA, which was held from March to April this year. Marcos had directed DepEd to prioritize improvements in the country's PISA scores after the 2022 results reflected Filipino learners' poor performance in mathematics, science, and reading. That time, the Philippines ranked sixth from the bottom among 81 participating countries and economies. A separate 2022 PISA report also revealed that Filipino students placed second-to-last when it comes to creative thinking. These results mirrored the findings of the EDCOM 2, which noted that even after a decade of implementing the K to 12 system, Filipino students continue to fall behind regional and global peers in key academic competencies. Revised SHS curriculum Another key highlight in education since the previous SONA was the pilot implementation of the revised Senior High School (SHS) curriculum this School Year 2025-2026. Among the salient features of this new curriculum is the reduction of core subjects from the 15 being offered per semester, to just five that will be offered for a full year in Grade 11. These five new subjects are: Effective Communication (Mabisang Komunikasyon), Life Skills, General Mathematics, General Science, and Pag-aaral ng Kasaysayan at Lipunang Pilipino. This development came after Marcos, in August 2024, directed the rationalization of the SHS curriculum as he wanted to ensure that SHS graduates could acquire high-quality jobs. But calls for education reforms further escalated when it was revealed in congressional hearings earlier this year that approximately 5.58 million high school graduates, including junior high school completers aged 10 to 64, were considered 'functionally illiterate" because of a lack of comprehension skills. Angara said that the DepEd has been taking action to address the issue in order to prepare the children for a better future. Among the agency's interventions, he said, are intensifying remedial and literacy programs and the use of data in schools. He said teaching and assessment methods have also been improved, and the students are being honed to be critical thinkers and have 21st-century skills, instead of merely memorizing lessons. DepEd also revised its class suspension protocols, allowing schools and local government units (LGUs) to have more discretion when it comes to the declaration depending on real-time conditions. Before, classes were automatically canceled under any public storm signals. Angara thus reminded school officials and LGUs to be prudent in declaring class suspensions, emphasizing the need for learning continuity and to minimize learning loss. Also included in the agency's interventions in times of calamity is the rollout of durable and mobile modular classrooms that will replace temporary learning spaces in disaster-hit areas. Digitalization, connectivity Aside from addressing the classroom gap, Marcos in his last SONA said that the digital gap should also be addressed with as much intensity. The President then expressed hope that all students will be equipped with computers, smart TVs, essential programs, digital books, and access to reliable power and internet connection. 'Digitalization and solar-powered electricity must now be standard features in our schools and in our classrooms. Simply put, this is educational reform through technology,' he said. To realize this vision, DepEd began implementing several digitalization initiatives. Through a public-private partnership approach, the agency has been pursuing smart classrooms, ICT equipment, and upgraded e-learning materials, while aiming to improve digital connectivity nationwide. DepEd has also deployed smart TVs, laptops, and other devices to public schools to support digital learning and reduce reliance on printed modules. These tools are expected to enhance interactive and blended learning delivery in classrooms. Teachers and students in geographically isolated and underserved public schools are likewise expected to benefit from improved internet connectivity under the government's ongoing "Free WiFi for All" initiative. The road to full recovery remains steep. While the Marcos administration has made progress in addressing learning gaps, the scale of the education crisis in the country demands faster execution, deeper investments, and stronger accountability. With millions of students needing help and an entire generation at risk of being left behind, eyes and ears are now turned to Marcos' next SONA to know his next moves to improve the quality of education in the country. —LDF/RSJ/NB, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
10 hours ago
- Climate
- GMA Network
Marcos says some areas can't be entered yet as floods still high
President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. on Thursday, July 24, 2025, inspected evacuation centers in San Mateo, Rizal, where he led in the distribution of food packs to those displaced by the bad weather. BERNADETTE REYES/GMA Integrated News President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. said Thursday that some areas could not be entered yet as they are still submerged in floods. Speaking to reporters, Marcos, however, ensured that help is on the way for the affected residents, including medicines and relief goods. ''Unfortunately we are at the mercy of the weather,'' Marcos said. ''And there are areas na hindi pa natin mapasok, but mag-aanatay tayo, pagbaba ng tubig, we're finding ways kahit may baha, eh siyempre may mga rubber boat, magpadala ng doktor, magpadala ng gamot, ng relief goods o kung hindi para i-evacuate 'yung tao,'' he added. (And there are areas which we can't enter yet, but we will wait for the floodwaters to subside, we're finding ways that even there's floods we can send doctors, medicines, relief goods or just evacuate the residents.) The President, however, did not identify these areas. Marcos also pointed out that in the long run, the public must think of adaptation as the impacts of tropical cyclones, as part of climate change, are inevitable. ''That is the fact of climate change and we are now having to think more. Of course mitigation, kung ano 'yung mga pwedeng gawin para matulungan nga 'yung mga naging biktima (Of course mitigation, whatever we need to do to help the victims),'' he said. ''Pero in the longer term, kailangan na nating mag-isip tungkol sa adaptation. What do we have to do when it comes again because it will come again,'' Marcos said. (In the longer term, we need to think about adaptation.) Weather agency PAGASA said the combined effects of Dante, Emong, and the Southwest Monsoon or Habagat are bringing heavy rains in different parts of the country. Due to Emong, rainfall of over 200 millimeter is expected over Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Zambales, and Benguet from Thursday to Friday noon, according to PAGASA's 11 a.m. advisory. Habagat, which is enhanced by Dante and Emong, will also bring over 200 mm of rainfall in Bataan and Occidental Mindoro from Thursday to Friday noon. Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 3 is still hoisted over two areas as Typhoon Emong is seen to make a close approach over Pangasinan province. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News
New York Post
2 days ago
- Business
- New York Post
Trump announces trade deal with ‘tough' Philippine president Marcos
WASHINGTON — President Trump announced Tuesday that he had sealed a new trade deal with the Philippines after meeting with the island nation's 'tough' president, Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr., at the White House. President Donald Trump greets Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the White House, Tuesday, July 22, 2025, in Washington. AP 'It was a beautiful visit, and we concluded our Trade Deal, whereby The Philippines is going OPEN MARKET with the United States, and ZERO Tariffs. The Philippines will pay a 19% Tariff,' Trump, 79, wrote on Truth Social. 'In addition, we will work together Militarily.' The US has struck economic agreements with only a handful of countries so far — including with the UK and China — but the administration is hoping to announce dozens more before an Aug. 1 deadline.
GMA Network
3 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
First Lady Liza Marcos visits Bahay Kalinga in Saudi
First Lady Louise 'Liza' Araneta-Marcos visited the Bahay Kalinga temporary accommodations in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia over the weekend. As part of her working visit there, the First Lady met with distressed overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), mothers, and children, delivering the message that they were coming home. Her visit marked the first time a Philippine First Lady visited Bahay Kalinga, which is a temporary accommodation facility for OFWs awaiting repatriation in Saudi Arabia. During the visit, the First Lady listened to the stories of hardship, quiet strength, and hope of the OFWs. As directed by President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr., the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) facilitated the safe repatriation of 43 distressed OFWs and eight minor dependents, including those with medical needs. Each repatriate received financial and reintegration assistance — ?50,000 from DMW, ?10,000 from OWWA plus Balik Pinas, Balik Hanapbuhay aid, ?10,000 from DSWD, and ?60,000 from the Office of the President — along with travel luggage and essentials from the First Lady. The OWWA also provided transportation and temporary accommodation support for the OFWs who are returning to Visayas and Mindanao. Meanwhile, the First Lady also visited the Bagong Bayani ng Mundo Serbisyo Caravan, where she met OFWs availing themselves of services from frontline agencies. It was the first time a wide array of government agencies — including DMW, OWWA, PhilHealth, SSS, Pag-IBIG, DTI, Landbank, DSWD, PAO, and PSA — came together in one caravan to bring services to OFWs in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.—LDF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
3 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
PNP: 12K personnel to be deployed for SONA
The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday said that around 12,000 personnel will be deployed for the fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. on July 28. 'Around 12,000 personnel are being deployed at iba pang law enforcement agencies and civilian support units para sa activity na ito sa House of Representatives,' PNP chief Police General Nicolas Torre III said in a briefing. Torre said that the PNP will deploy an advance team on July 26 while full deployment will take place on July 27 until the early hours of July 28. He clarified that no threats have been monitored so far. 'Wala tayong namo-monitor na threat. Natural lang 'yang mga usual na intelligence estimate natin. Normal naman, usual lang. Ang pinaka threat natin ngayon weather. Hopefully mag clear up ang weather so mas maganda ang ating deployment,' he said. (We are not monitoring any threat. Those are just our usual intelligence estimates. It's normal, just the usual. Our main threat right now is the weather. Hopefully, the weather clears up so our deployment will be better.) Meanwhile, Torre said that the PNP will consult the Department of the Interior and Local Government regarding a gun ban. When asked if the burning of effigies will be allowed during SONA, Torre said the PNP will play it by ear, but expressed hope that this will not take place.?? 'Pero sana 'wag naman dahil at the end of the day kasi freedom of expression nga, eh alam naman ng mga tao na 'yan na according to the environmental law ay bawal ho 'yan. Mag susunog pa ng kung ano-ano, may kasama pa minsan— may tires pa minsan,' he said. (But hopefully not. At the end of the day, it's freedom of expression, but people already know that according to environmental law, that's prohibited. Burning various things, sometimes even including tires.) 'I would suggest ihingi nila ng permit sa local government unit or sa appropriate agency sa DENR na mag sunog sila dyan sa kalsada,' he added. (I would suggest that they request a permit from the local government unit or from the appropriate agency like the DENR to be allowed to burn effigies on the street.) However, he said that possible arrests will still depend on the situation. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
