President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. pledged to build more modern evacuation centers and stop the use of schools as temporary shelters to improve disaster preparedness during his fourth State of the Nation Address.
He warned of looming natural threats, including 12 more tropical cyclones and heightened volcanic activity, and called for public discipline in waste disposal to prevent flooding.
Marcos also announced that all public schools will have internet access by the year through the National Fiber Backbone Project, which has already expanded free WiFi sites to nearly 19,000.
Over one million SIM cards with free data have been distributed to schools, and more cell towers will be installed in remote areas.
The President also launched the “Presidential Merit Scholarships” to support students, a move welcomed by Education Secretary Sonny Angara.
Source: PhilNews24 | July 29, 2025
