President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. led the distribution of tablets, school supplies, uniforms, and other learning materials to public school students in San Juan City on Thursday, June 11, as the administration pushed for wider access to digital learning tools in public education.
The distribution was held at Pinaglabanan Elementary School, where Marcos visited classrooms and observed how tablets, smart televisions, and other digital tools were being used in lessons for Grade 1 and Grade 3 pupils.
Addressing the students, Marcos said the tablets should be treated not merely as gadgets, but as tools to help them learn.
“Kaya, boys and girls, enjoy your new toys, pero hindi lang laruan ‘yan. Malaki ang maitutulong niyan para sa inyong pag-aaral,” Marcos said.
The President also reminded the pupils to study hard, saying they would one day become the country’s future leaders.
At least 13,000 tablets were distributed by the San Juan City government to support digital learning in public schools across the city.
The Office of the President, through the Office of the Executive Secretary, also distributed 1,000 school bags containing notebooks, pencils, crayons, and other school supplies for Kindergarten and Grade 1 learners.
The city government, meanwhile, provided additional educational materials, uniforms, and rubber shoes to students.
Marcos also met with 105 presidential scholars from San Juan’s 21 barangays. The scholars are poor graduating students who receive educational assistance under the Socio-Civic Projects Fund.
Under the program, P100,000 is allocated per barangay for five scholars, with each recipient receiving P20,000 to help cover school-related expenses.
Marcos described the scholarship program as an investment in the country’s next generation of leaders.
“Kaya napakahalaga na kayo pagdating ng panahon, at darating ang panahon, it will be sooner than you think, when it is time for you to be the ones to run this country. Kayo ang magpapatakbo ng Pilipinas,” he said.
“Kaya napaka-importante na kayo ay handa na, na maganda na ang training ninyo, maganda na ang pinag-aralan ninyo,” he added.
Education Secretary Sonny Angara, San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora, and other local officials attended the event.