President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. dedicated the week to strengthening education, promoting innovation, empowering women, deepening international ties, and preparing for the upcoming Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit.

On Monday, Marcos recognized schools and education partners that participated in the Program for International Students Assessment (PISA), underscoring the contributions of educators and other stakeholders to improving learning outcomes.

During the recognition ceremony at the President Corazon C. Aquino National High School, Marcos encouraged teachers and parents to continue nurturing the children’s curiosity by letting them discover the world beyond the classroom and guiding them in using technology as a tool for learning.

Teacher development and school safety

On Wednesday, Marcos led the celebration of National Teachers’ Month at the Manila Hotel, honoring teachers and reaffirming his administration’s commitment to supporting their professional development and career advancement.

Marcos also launched the My Teacher Education Commons (MyTEC) portal, a proposed shared digital platform developed by the Teacher Education Council to support continuous professional learning and teacher development.

He also traveled to Santiago City, Isabela on Friday to lead the mass oath-taking of 4,125 newly promoted and newly hired personnel of the Department of Education (DepEd) – Cagayan Valley at the Santiago City Sports Arena.

He reaffirmed his commitment to expanding opportunities for public school teachers and school heads through the Expanded Career Progression System, providing them with greater opportunities for career advancement.

Marcos later visited the Patul Elementary School in Santiago City to lead the rollout of the DepEd’s Kaagapay Program, which aims to strengthen parental engagement and promote positive discipline, values formation, and safe, supportive learning environments for children.

During the visit, Marcos also interacted with students and distributed hot meals under the Home-Grown School Feeding modality of the School-Based Feeding Program.

Promoting women leadership

On Tuesday, Marcos attended the 4th ASEAN Women Leaders’ Summit at the EDSA Shangri-La in Mandaluyong City, where he stressed the importance of women’s leadership and participation in advancing inclusive and sustainable development in the region.

He also emphasized the economic contribution of women, noting that more than 60 million micro, small and medium enterprises across ASEAN are owned or managed by women, even as many continue to face limited access to capital and gaps in digital skills.

Under the Philippines’ 2026 ASEAN chairship, Marcos said the regional bloc is accelerating digital financial inclusion and market integration to provide greater opportunities for women-led enterprises.

Honoring outstanding Filipinos

The President also conferred the Medallion of Excellence to the 2026 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos during a ceremony at Malacañan Palace in Manila, recognizing exemplary public servants whose achievements and service have contributed to nation-building.

He honored the 10 awardees – four teachers, three soldiers, and three police officers – as frontliners in nation-building, saying their dedication to public service has helped strengthen institutions and improve Filipinos’ lives.

He said the awardees showed that nation-building is not confined to high offices but is also carried out in classrooms, institutions, and communities across the country.

Stronger ties with France and Japan

On Thursday, Marcos received the credentials of the newly designated ambassadors of France and Japan, reaffirming the Philippines’ commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with both countries.

French Ambassador to the Philippines Donatienne Hissard expressed France’s readiness to support the Philippines’ economic growth, industrial development, and strategic partners, including the Luzon Economic Corridor.

Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Kitagawa Katsuro, meanwhile, pledged to further deepen the Philippine-Japan Comprehensive Strategic Partnership through cooperation in security, the economy, and people-to-people exchanges.

Preparations for ASEAN summit

Marcos also monitored the preparations at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City on Friday for the 49th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits to be held on Nov. 16 to 18.

With the Philippines at the helm of ASEAN this year, preparations are underway to ensure the country is ready to welcome regional leaders and delegates for high-level meetings.

The President’s engagements this week underscored his administration’s focus on education and human capital, innovation, international partnerships, and the Philippines’ role in regional cooperation. (PNA)