Speech by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. at the Launching of the DepEd’s Project Accelerating Governance and Adaptive Pedagogy through Artificial Intelligence (AGAP.AI)

Thank you very much, Secretary Sonny Angara, for your kind introduction.

[Please be seated.]

Quezon City mayor, Mayor Joy Belmonte; the ASEAN Foundation Executive Director Piti Srisangnam; and our partners and stakeholders in Project AGAP.AI; fellow workers in government; ladies and gentlemen, good morning.

As we hit the ground running in 2026, once again, we start a new era in our educational system and in the way that we train our young people.

Today, we officially launch the Project Accelerating Governance and Adaptive Pedagogy through Artificial Intelligence, or Project AGAP.AI.

In our language, agapay means “to support” or “to bridge.” This is what we are trying to do today: standing next to our people and bridging the gap between technology and education.

Guided by the ASEAN Vision 2045 and made possible through the partnership of the DepEd and the ASEAN Foundation, this initiative reflects our belief that education must evolve in tandem with the changes in our world.

We all know that AI is shaping the way that we communicate and the way that we solve everyday problems.

Our responsibility now is to ensure that our students use AI confidently and ethically, enabling them to stay ahead in this learning journey that they are going through.

And this is why DepEd is developing the Foundational Guidelines on AI in Basic Education. These will serve as our first national framework for using AI in schools that is ethical and responsible.

Developed through consultation with students, parents, teachers, AI experts, and education partners, these guidelines will ensure that our framework is inclusive and comprehensive.

We also recognize that AI is for the entire community, including our teachers and of course, our parents as well.

With the support of the ASEAN Foundation and Google.org, DepEd will roll out a national AI skills training program that will reach up to one and a half million Filipinos, including learners, teachers, and parents.

This means that students will learn how AI works, teachers can learn how to integrate AI into their lessons, and parents can guide their children in using AI safely and wisely at home.

These training courses will cover relevant topics, including responsible use, detecting misinformation, privacy and security, and AI literacy.

We are also investing heavily in our teachers. Through AI-focused training modules, educators will be equipped to teach AI responsibly and creatively, whilst at the same time keeping up with the developing new technologies as they come down the pipeline.

Furthermore, the DepEd will pilot emerging AI-powered tools and platforms to enhance classroom instruction and school operations.

These tools will help our education system make smarter decisions while upholding fairness and data privacy.

All of these initiatives will ensure that AI in education prepares our institutions to keep pace with technology and that every Filipino benefits from that – those new technologies.

Beyond policy and training, we are engaging with different local and international partners to bring AI into the heart of learning.

The DepEd is working closely with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MIT Responsible AI for Social Empowerment [and] Education, and Day of AI to integrate AI concepts into basic [education] curriculum. This will then strengthen learners’ AI literacy, computational thinking, and digital innovation skills.

At the national level, we are leveraging AI as an engine for development.

We are establishing the Philippine AI Program Framework for the future-proofing of our economy.

It focuses on building robust infrastructure, including high-performance computing systems and of course, once again, upskilling our workers and our educators. Through investment in AI research and development, we ensure that this technology delivers real benefits while remaining ethical and responsible.

As ASEAN Chair this year, the Philippines is also building a harmonized and human-centered AI ecosystem across Southeast Asia, focusing on five vital sectors: agriculture, finance, healthcare, manufacturing, and education.

Indeed, we are taking the lead in building an innovative environment for Filipinos, as well as for our ASEAN brothers and sisters.

I must say that this generation is very fortunate to be in a world where information and tools are readily available.

Noong panahon namin, wala kaming AI. ‘Pag may assignment, magbubukas ka ng libro. Mag-aagawan pa kayo ng libro. Kung kailangan mag-research, pupunta ka sa library at magbubuklat ka ng mga catalog card at hahanapin mo ‘yung libro mo, only to find out nailabas na nung kaklase mo kaya’t kailangan mong makipag-deal kung ano ‘yung hawak mong libro, ‘pag natapos ka na, mag-e-exchange ka na. Ngayon, kayong mga estudyante, wala na kayong excuse – dahil masabi, wala na akong mahanap na libro dahil lahat ng libro, isang pindot lang, naglalabasan lahat.

But that is the advantage, and I have to say, I am a little bit jealous because I wish – I really fervently wish we had this when the time that I was still in school because you have in your hands an extraordinary – extraordinarily powerful tool.

But you must use it to help you think and support your learning. It should never replace your drive, your creativity, and grit to learn about our world.

On that note, I recognize the efforts of DepEd, the ASEAN Foundation, and all our partners for making the Philippines a more learner-centered country.

As a tech enthusiast, I believe that AI will help us tackle more complex challenges.

But there are still some things that technology cannot  do for us. Technology cannot replace discipline. It cannot replace effort. It cannot replace the habit of showing up prepared and ready to learn. It cannot replace hard work.

That is how we build a Bagong Pilipinas, one that is enabled by technology and powered by Filipinos who choose to learn, to work and to aspire for a better future for all.

Maraming salamat po. Mabuhay kayo at mabuhay ang Bagong Pilipinas!

[applause]

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