Thank you, Secretary Arsi Balisacan, [please take your seats] for your kind introduction.

The distinguished members of the Diplomatic Corps who are here today; the members of the Cabinet who have joined us this morning; District Director of the World Bank Philippines Mr. Zafer Mustafaoglu; fellow workers in government; ladies and gentlemen.

Good morning.

Three years ago, we set a bold and ambitious course for our country through the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028.

We committed to generate jobs, accelerate poverty reduction, and transform our economy into one that is inclusive, resilient, and ready for the future.

In the first half of this Administration, we laid the groundwork. We implemented critical reforms, delivered essential programs, and mobilized strategic investments.

Now that we are at the midpoint or past the midpoint, we need to check our course and make the necessary adjustments to meet the growing needs and expectations of our people.

The forum’s theme, “Bringing Together Progress for All: Services that Matter, Results that Last,” challenges us to reflect on what real progress looks like in this day and age.

True progress goes beyond numbers and charts. It must be a lived experience—felt by people through quality education, better healthcare, [and] sustainable livelihoods.

To achieve this vision, we must place education at the very heart of our national development.

Over the past three years, this Administration has intensified our efforts to strengthen our educational system: enhancing early childhood care and development, prioritizing foundational skills such as reading and literacy, and ensuring that every learner has a safe and conducive environment for growth.

School-based feeding programs continue to safeguard students’ health, while programs to advance the welfare of teachers remain a top priority.

We achieved significant milestones in improving our country’s education system, but we, of course, recognize that we have — ways to go yet.

The goal is clear: a Philippines where every child, regardless of background or circumstance, has access to quality, future-proof education.

And we are taking necessary steps to bring this vision to life.

And that is why, for Fiscal Year 2026, the Department of Education has been allocated the largest proposed budget among all departments.

Because we truly understand and we truly believe that every classroom built, every teacher trained, [and] every child supported is a seed towards real, lasting progress.

Our national budget serves as our moral and economic compass. It must always point toward making life better for our people.

Every project, every policy, every program, every peso must move the needle for Filipino families.

So, I call once again to the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development, the DBM, the Department of Budget and Management, Department of Finance, and all concerned government agencies to ensure that our highest priorities—especially education— receive the appropriate funding and support.

To DPWH and to the DepEd, speed up the planning and implementation process so we can meet our target of building and rehabilitating thousands of classrooms by 2028.

And to DEPDev, accelerate the review of PPP proposals for school buildings.

No child should be forced to learn in makeshift spaces, and no teacher should be burdened by a system that does not support them.

Let us prioritize the delivery of the right kind of education.

An education that sharpens minds and builds character, so that our youth are equipped for the jobs of today, ready for the industries of tomorrow.

To support this, we strategically channeled Official Development Assistance or ODA toward our vital sectors such as education, healthcare, infrastructure, social protection, agriculture, and a very important aspect now, disaster risk resilience.

We know that funding alone is not enough. Critical bottlenecks and systemic challenges have long hindered us from optimally utilizing the ODA.

So, we are taking action.

To streamline the process, cut bureaucratic delays, accelerate public service, we have revised the Investment Coordination Committee (ICC) guidelines—the first comprehensive update in a decade.

We are also introducing measures to simplify the issuance of Special Authority—enabling faster mobilization of assistance aligned with national priorities.

Be assured that we continue to listen to the concerns and recommendations of our development partners. We are determined to go further.

We will not tolerate measurement without action, nor will we tolerate the wastage of public funds.

Walang perang sasayangin. Hindi tayo papayag na lustayin ang kaban ng bayan.

This Forum also marks our readiness for the next step: our transition to upper middle-income country status.

This transition demands a kind of partnership built on stronger alignment, shared goals, and genuine national ownership.

I count on DEPDev, all government agencies as well, all stakeholders to turn today’s discussions into real change, real impact, [and] real progress.

Let me take this opportunity to thank our development partners. Your continued trust, expertise, and support help transform our vision into tangible outcomes.

So, while we conclude this Forum with a Joint Declaration, we must remember: Declarations by themselves do not create results – they do set the direction of what our collective actions will be.

Together, let us continue shaping a strong, fair, and future-ready Bagong Pilipinas.

So long as we work together, so long as our visions are aligned, we will succeed.

Thank you very much.

Mabuhay ang Bagong Pilipinas! [applause]

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