President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday urged beneficiaries of the government’s Presidential Scholars Program to study diligently and prepare to take on the country’s future, as he reaffirmed continued state support for education.

In his message delivered during an orientation in General Trias City, Cavite, the President emphasized the long-term value of education as a “lasting wealth” that cannot be taken away.

“Mag-aral kayo mabuti, masipag kayo mag-aral dahil ang edukasyon, ang magandang edukasyon ay isang napakalaking kayamanan na dala-dala na ninyo (Study well, work hard because education, good education, is a great wealth that you carry with you),” Marcos said.

He said education enables young Filipinos to uplift not only themselves but also their families and communities.

“Hindi ito puwedeng kunin sa inyo, hindi ito puwedeng agawin sa inyo, hindi ito puwedeng nakawin sa inyo (It cannot be taken from you, it cannot be grabbed from you, it cannot be stolen from you),” he added.

The President highlighted the rollout of the Presidential Scholars Program, funded through barangay-level allocations, as part of efforts to expand access to education.

Under the initiative, each barangay is allotted PHP200,000, with PHP100,000 earmarked for scholarships. Each scholar will receive PHP20,000 in assistance.

Marcos said the program is expected to benefit over 200,000 students nationwide, with approximately five scholars per barangay across the country’s more than 42,000 barangays.

“Kailangan na namin kayo… ‘pag natapos na kami, kailangan ready na kayo kaya’t kailangang mag-aral kayo nang mabuti (We will need you… when our time is done, you must be ready, so you need to study well),” he said.

In General Trias alone, 33 barangays are set to receive financial assistance, supporting a total of 165 scholars. (PNA)