Strengthening relations with foreign partners, advancing education initiatives, and monitoring the progress of key infrastructure projects topped President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s agenda this week.
In line with Marcos’ foreign policy anchored on promoting peace and protecting national interests, the Philippines formally elevated its ties with Vietnam with an Enhanced Strategic Partnership during the state visit of Vietnamese President To Lam to the Philippines.
The elevation of ties coincided with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries this July and a decade since they established a Strategic Partnership in 2015.
The move was announced after Marcos held a bilateral meeting with To Lam at Malacañan Palace in Manila on Monday, ushering in a deeper cooperation on shared interests and priorities, particularly in defense and security, trade and investment, technology, and people-to-people exchanges.
The two leaders also witnessed the signing of several agreements aimed at reinforcing collaboration in defense, information technology, digital transformation, tourism, and education.
They likewise committed to expanding the bilateral trade beyond their shared target of USD10 billion while pursuing a more balanced commercial relationship.
Also on Monday, Marcos attended the Vietnam-Philippine Business Forum at Diamond Hotel in Manila to promote trade, investment, and economic partnerships, enticing Vietnamese businesses to explore opportunities in the Philippines.
In his speech, he assured Vietnamese investors that the Philippines is “open to partnership, ready for investment, and eager to work” with them as it positions itself as a “premier destination for smart, sustainable manufacturing and high-value services.”
School preparations
Ahead of school opening on June 8, Marcos inspected ongoing school preparations and volunteer activities at the Kapitbahayan Elementary School in Navotas City on Tuesday.
The activities formed part of the Brigada Eskwela kick-off in Metro Manila, highlighting the collective efforts of teachers, parents, volunteers, and government workers to ensure the readiness of schools for the incoming academic year.
During the event, Marcos inspected the school’s newly operational closed-circuit television network and joined an interactive storytelling session at the school’s new Reading Nooks designed to improve early-grade reading skills for Kindergarten to Grade 3 learners
A major milestone in the Department of Education’s (DepEd) Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) program is the reduction in the number of struggling learners nationwide from 6.7 million to 2.2 million.
On Wednesday, Marcos met with Batang Maynila presidential scholars at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Malate, Manila, where he pledged to strengthen the implementation of the Bawat Bayan Makikinabang Program.
The initiative provides educational assistance to incoming fourth year college students from vulnerable sectors who are at risk of dropping out.
The program is expected to benefit more than 200,000 presidential scholars, once implemented nationwide.
Support for legal profession
On Friday, Marcos inaugurated a new College of Law building at the West Visayas State University (WVSU) campus in Iloilo City.
Accompanied by First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos who once served as a law professor at the WVSU College of Law, the President unveiled the building’s dedication marker during the inauguration ceremony.
The new facility features six classrooms, two moot courts, a review room, faculty offices, and other essential learning spaces designed to support both academic excellence and practical legal training.
Marcos also served as the guest speaker during the third commencement exercises of the WVSU College of Law at the WVSU Cultural Center, where he urged law graduates to “always choose principle over convenience, truth over falsehood, and service over self-interest.”
Space and technology development
On Tuesday, Marcos presided over the 9th Philippine Space Council meeting at Malacañan Palace to review recent developments in the country’s space sector, including ongoing satellite programs, space infrastructure projects, and efforts to enhance the use of space-based data in government operations.
During the meeting, the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) reported progress on the Multispectral Unit for Land Assessment (MULA) satellite, which is targeted for launch as early as April 2027 and is expected to support disaster management, agricultural monitoring, and environmental mapping.
The council approved a resolution declaring the proposed MULA Constellation Program a national priority undertaking to expand the country’s sovereign Earth observation capabilities through locally developed satellites.
The establishment of a Philippine Sovereign Geostationary Telecommunications Satellite Program, which seeks to provide secure and reliable communications services under Philippine control, was also greenlighted.
The council also adopted a resolution harmonizing satellite data requirements across government agencies, and approved a national Orbital Debris Response Protocol to guide authorities in responding to incidents involving space debris and rocket reentries within Philippine territory and maritime zones.
PhilSA reported that it has monitored 90 space vehicle drop zones in Philippine waters and airspace from June 2022 to May 2026, underscoring the growing need for coordinated space safety measures.
Marcos on Wednesday also welcomed members of the Philippine Robotics National Team (PRNT) at Malacañang following their recognition and achievements in various international robotics competitions in 2025 and 2026.
During a courtesy call at Heroes Hall, President Marcos congratulated the young Filipino innovators for bringing pride and honor to the country through their award-winning international accomplishments.
Infrastructure development
The continued upgrading and rehabilitation of key infrastructure projects also remained a priority of the Marcos administration.
Marcos visited Pinabacdao, Samar on Friday to monitor the ongoing rehabilitation of the Maharlika Highway, the country’s longest road network.
During the inspection, he emphasized the importance of ensuring that rehabilitation works meet high standards to improve regional connectivity and stimulate economic growth.
The Maharlika Highway, a critical north-south transport corridor, is undergoing major rehabilitation that is expected to reduce travel time from three hours to just one hour and 45 minutes while boosting economic activity across the country.
The project reflects the administration’s push to modernize transport infrastructure and support sustainable growth in key regions.
Diplomatic engagements
To sustain his efforts to improve relations with other countries, Marcos received the credentials of two newly appointed ambassadors from Peru and the Order of Malta at Malacañan Palace on Wednesday.
First to present credentials was Peruvian Ambassador to the Philippines Carmen Del Rocio Azurin Araujo, who becomes Peru’s first resident ambassador to the Philippines in more than two decades following the reopening of the Peruvian Embassy in Manila in 2025.
The President also welcomed Maria Lourdes Bernadette Banson, newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St. John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta.
The two envoys separately met with Marcos at the Study Room after the presentation of their credentials to discuss bilateral relations and other areas of mutual interest between the Philippines and their respective states.
Call to end Senate deadlock
In an interview after the meet and greet with presidential scholars at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex on Wednesday, Marcos called on the senators to “get back to work” amid a Senate impasse, urging them to focus on pressing national concerns, particularly the country’s current energy situation.
Marcos said the executive branch is “examining all (its) options” that could be taken to address the political turmoil in the Senate.
He expressed disappointment over the Senate’s failure to perform its mandate, while other branches of government continue to work. (PNA)
