President Marcos was back to doing public engagements outside Malacañan Palace two weeks after being diagnosed with diverticulitis.

After attending only meetings and events inside Malacañan Palace for two weeks, President Marcos graced two consecutive events in Metro Manila on Thursday, February 5, although he did not stay for more than an hour across both events combined.

The President led the launch of the TESDA Skills Passport Mobile Application in San Juan City on Thursday noon. It marked his first public outing since his diagnosis and recovery period.

Like a usual practice, he immediately moved to another event in Pasay City—the Philippine Telco Summit—where he stayed for only about over 20 minutes. 

He also did not accommodate any ambush interview in both events.

In his speeches, which were both brief, Marcos assured the public that the work to bring a more comfortable life to Filipinos continues.

In leading the launch of the TESDA Skills Passport Mobile Application, Marcos said the government will continue its efforts to ensure that ample funding will be placed in education.

"Patuloy naming sisiguruhin na may sapat na pondo ang edukasyon. Palalakasin din namin ang pagsulong ng skills development ng bawat mamamayang Pilipino (We will continue to ensure that education is adequately funded. We will also strengthen efforts to advance the skills development of every Filipino citizen)," Marcos vowed.

He said this as he encouraged Filipino youth, who want to learn new skills, to make use of the new skills passport mobile application.

"Kaya sa ating mga kabataan, TESDA scholar, lahat ng gustong matuto ng mga panibagong skils, inaayayahan ko kayo na subukan at gamitin ang TESDA skills passport mobile app (That is why, to our youth, TESDA scholars, and everyone who wants to learn new skills, I invite you to try and use the TESDA Skills Passport mobile app)," Marcos added.

He expressed hopes that the mobile application will serve as "a bridge toward a more prosperous and more comfortable future."

The President also stressed that his administration will continue to expand scholarships and skills training programs, noting that nearly P20 billion has been allocated to TESDA in 2026, the largest budget in the agency’s history.

As more Filipinos take advantage of skills training and scholarship opportunities, Marcos underscored the importance of the TESDA Skills Passport – an all-in-one, user-friendly mobile app that provides vital information such as TESDA trainees, scholarships, employment opportunities, TESDA-accredited training institutions, and online training courses.

The Chief Executive said technology is now part of everyday life of people and tools like the TESDA Skills Passport will help hardworking Filipinos access more job opportunities and improve their livelihoods.

“Pag-aaral, pakikipag-usap, pati trabaho, digital na. Kaya’t gagamitin natin ang teknolohiya at ang pagkakataong ito upang makasabay sa takbo ng panahon at mapalawak pa ang oportunidad para sa ating mga kababayan (Studying, communicating, and even working are now digital. That is why we will use technology and this opportunity to keep pace with the times and further expand opportunities for our fellow Filipinos," Marcos said.

The TESDA Skills Passport Mobile App will be available for download on the Apple App Store and Google Play after the ceremonial launch.

In gracing the Philippine Telecommunications Summit 2026, Marcos called for cooperation among various sectors to address the broadband access challenges confronting geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas in the country.

“Kumilos tayo na may isang hangarin: ang maghatid ng pag-asa, ng ginhawa, at pagkakataon sa bawat Pilipino (Let us act with a single purpose: to bring hope, comfort, and opportunity to every Filipino),” Marcos said.

"Umaasa rin akong makikiisa sa atin ang mga lokal na pamahalaan upang matiyak na ang bawat Pilipino ay nakikinabang sa lahat ng ating ginagawang mga hakbang (I also hope that the local governments will join us to ensure that every Filipino benefits from all the measures we are implementing)," he added.

The Chief Executive said while urban centers enjoy high-speed and reliable internet service, many rural and remote areas continue to face connectivity challenges.

These connectivity gaps affect real lives, limit access to education, constrain economic opportunity, and slow national progress, the President said, noting that delay in permits, right-of-way restrictions, fiber cuts, and power interruptions widen the divide.

“Ito ang dahilan kung bakit mahalaga ang ating pagtutulungan. Kailangang magkaisa Ang pamahalaan, ang pribadong sektor, at mga lokal na pamayanan—sapagkat walang iisang sektor ang kayang harapin ang mga hamong ito (This is why our cooperation is so important. The government, the private sector, and local communities must unite—because no single sector can face these challenges alone),” Marcos emphasized.

Marcos disclosed on Jan. 22 that he was diagnosed with diverticulitis, a common intestinal condition, and assured the public that there was nothing to worry about.

On Jan. 28, Malacañang said the President was recovering and was advised to take a rest for the meantime. Since then, he only held meetings and events within the Malacañan Palace.