President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. capped a busy week marked by high-level diplomacy, education initiatives, energy directives, governance reforms, infrastructure oversight, and economic developments.
The week opened with the State Visit of Vietnamese President and Communist Party General Secretary To Lam, whose two-day visit to the Philippines from May 31 to June 1 highlighted efforts to deepen relations between Manila and Hanoi.
During their bilateral meeting in Malacañang, Marcos and To Lam reaffirmed their commitment to expand cooperation in trade and investment, food security, defense, maritime affairs, education, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges.
Marcos also encouraged greater Vietnamese investment in the Philippines during the Vietnam-Philippines Business Forum in Manila, citing the longstanding ties between the two countries and noting that diplomatic relations were formally established during the administration of his late father, former President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr.
As the opening of classes approached, Marcos directed the Department of Education to fully implement the 2026 National Oplan Balik Eskwela from June 1 to 11 to ensure a safe, orderly, and prepared start of the school year.
DepEd also launched Project Handa: DepEd School Readiness 2026, a data-driven initiative designed to help schools prepare for the academic year.
On June 2, Marcos presided over the 9th Philippine Space Council meeting at Malacañang, where officials reviewed satellite programs, space infrastructure projects, and initiatives to expand the use of space-based technologies in government operations.
The Palace also reported the continued rollout of flood-mitigation projects under Oplan Kontra Baha, with the Department of Public Works and Highways implementing measures to protect communities from heavy rains during the rainy season.
That same day, Marcos inspected Brigada Eskwela preparations at Kapitbahayan Elementary School in Navotas City, where he checked the school’s newly installed CCTV system, joined a storytelling session with learners, and participated in classroom improvement activities.
On June 3, Marcos welcomed members of the Philippine Robotics National Team in Malacañang and commended their achievements in international competitions, recognizing their role in promoting Filipino innovation on the global stage.
The President also received the credentials of newly appointed ambassadors from Peru and the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of Malta. Ambassador Carmen del Rocio Azurin Araujo became Peru’s first resident ambassador to the Philippines in more than two decades, while Maria Lourdes Bernadette Z. Banson formally assumed her post as ambassador of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta.
In governance developments, Marcos appointed former Taguig City Mayor Lino Edgardo Cayetano as general manager of People’s Television Network, Inc., or PTV-4, succeeding Maria Lourdes Fagar.
He also approved Memorandum Order No. 47, adopting the 2026 Strategic Investment Priority Plan upon the recommendation of the Board of Investments. The plan seeks to attract investments, generate jobs, and provide incentives for priority industries.
Speaking before Batang Maynila presidential scholars in Manila, Marcos reiterated the importance of education and vowed to strengthen the implementation of the Bawat Barangay Makikinabang Program.
On June 4, Marcos directed the Department of Energy to stabilize the country’s power supply, particularly in Luzon and the Visayas, through new power plants, expanded transmission networks, and faster implementation of critical energy infrastructure projects.
The administration also filed charges against former lawmaker Zaldy Co, several DPWH officials, and private contractors over alleged irregularities in flood-control projects, following the President’s directive to hold accountable those involved in fraudulent, substandard, or ghost infrastructure projects.
In health-related developments, more than 25,000 Filipinos in Eastern Visayas have benefited from the government’s Bagong Urgent Care and Ambulatory Services, or BUCAS, Centers, expanding access to healthcare services in the region.
On June 5, Marcos addressed graduates of the West Visayas State University College of Law in Iloilo City, urging them to remain faithful to the principles that led them to pursue the legal profession.
He also underscored the administration’s commitment to education, noting that about P1.30 trillion has been allocated for the sector.
First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos, who serves as a faculty member of the university, joined government officials and other guests during the commencement exercises.
The week also brought positive economic news after the Philippine Statistics Authority reported that inflation slowed to 6.8 percent in May 2026 from 7.2 percent in April, driven by easing transport, food, and housing costs.
The average inflation rate from January to May stood at 4.5 percent, reflecting continuing government efforts to manage price pressures and cushion the public from rising costs.