Marcos orders agencies: Prioritize power, internet access in schools

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said he has directed government agencies to make electricity and internet connectivity in schools a top priority as the 2025–2026 school year officially opened on Monday.

He made the statement in an ambush interview after inspecting Epifanio delos Santos Elementary School in Manila.

“I told the DICT (Department of Information and Communications Technology) to expand internet coverage. Right now, only 60 percent of schools have internet access, which is very low,” Marcos told reporters.

"The real problem is electricity, so we will fix that. Gradually, we’ll work toward reaching 100 percent coverage. Let’s prioritize GIDAs (Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas) and underserved places. Fortunately, we now have the technology to do it," he added.

He also directed the Department of Trade and Industry to help reduce expenses for students and their parents, and the Department of Health to ensure the availability of health facilities in schools.

READ: 16,000 of 20,000 new teaching positions already taken – Marcos

Meanwhile, Education Secretary Sonny Angara told reporters in a chance interview earlier in the day that the first day of classes had been "smooth" so far.

The current school year will run until March 31, 2026, covering a total of 197 class days.

READ: Report bullying via 911, PNP tells public as school year begins

To ensure peace and order during the school opening, the Philippine National Police deployed 37,000 officers to 45,974 public and private schools nationwide./mcm

(2025/06/16-11:27)