President Marcos launched a new merit-based scholarship program that will allow top-performing senior high school and technical-vocational graduates nationwide to pursue higher education aligned with the country’s priority sectors.

In his message at the launch of the PBBM-Gabay ng Bayan Programs, the President said the Bagong Pilipinas Merit-Based Scholarship Program (BPMSP) fulfills his commitment to expand access to quality education regardless of background or location.

“This way they may pursue degree and technical vocational education and training,” Marcos said in his speech, delivered on his behalf by his son, House Majority Leader and Ilocos Norte 1st District Rep. Sandro Marcos on Friday, Jan. 23.

Under the BPMSP, the top five graduates of every senior high school in the country, whether public or private, will be eligible to enroll in undergraduate or technical-vocational diploma programs.

The President, who skipped the event following his recent diverticulitis diagnosis, said the scholarship will prioritize courses aligned with “our country’s hard-to-fill and high-priority sectors,” warning that unaddressed skills gaps could hold back national development.

The BPMSP is being rolled out in partnership with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the Department of Education (DepEd), and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA.

Marcos said the launch of the scholarship program delivers on a pledge he made during his State of the Nation Address (SONA) to support outstanding graduates from both academic and technical tracks.

“Today, we are fulfilling that promise,” the President said.

He added that the program will be formalized through the signing of clear policies and guidelines to ensure integrity and transparency in its implementation.

Acknowledging that scholarships alone are not enough, the President likewise announced Project Patuloy na Edukasyon, Patuloy na Pag-Ahon, or Project PEPA, a nationwide information caravan targeting families under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program.

“Through Project PEPA, we bring clear and timely information on government-funded education opportunities directly to students and their families,” he said.

The initiative aims to reach around 490,000 senior high school graduates from 4Ps households.

“When families are informed, they are empowered,” Marcos said.

The President also introduced CHED-TANAW, a new national data visualization platform designed to provide an integrated view of higher education enrollment, scholarships, institutions, and graduate outcomes.

Marcos said the platform will strengthen transparency, support policymaking, and help students identify legitimate and recognized institutions through official data and interactive maps.

“It strengthens transparency, it supports better policymaking,” he said.

Marcos also recognized newly promoted teachers under the Expanded Career Progression system, calling their advancement “well-deserved.”

“To the newly promoted teachers who have taken their oaths under the Expanded Career Progression once again, congratulations po sa inyong lahat,” he said.

Addressing students, the President urged them to take full advantage of the new education programs to improve their lives and help build a stronger nation.

“Together, let us build a Bagong Pilipinas where education is a sturdy foundation for stronger families, a more capable workforce, and a more progressive nation,” he said.