MANILA -- The government will prioritize the welfare of the Filipino youth under Bagong Pilipinas, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. declared on Sunday, recognizing the role of young people as the country’s future nation builders.

“Sa Bagong Pilipinas, una ang kabataan dahil prayoridad ang kanilang kinabukasan. Pangangalaga sa kalikasan ang pangunahin nilang pagkakaabalahan. The reforms that we envision for our educational system should be showcased in our classrooms,” President Marcos said during Bagong Pilipinas Campaign kickoff rally at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila.

Under the national reform campaign, learners will be provided with books, well-trained, highly-motivated, well paid teachers, and carefully curated teaching curriculum online.

And to address hunger among young learners, Marcos pledged to provide meals through feeding programs to ensure children absorb the lessons being taught by their teachers.

“Through Bagong Pilipinas, we will meet our greatest obligation to our youth, to mold them into critical thinkers, problem solvers, and brave visionaries for their country,” the President said.

Aside from addressing the needs of young people, Marcos also promised to aid the country’s farmers and fisherfolk.

And amid the looming El Niño phenomenon, the government will extend agricultural programs and support to Filipino farmers to protect their livelihood.

“Sisiguraduhin natin na hindi malulunod ang mga pinagpaguran ng ating mga kababayan sa kanayunan,” said Marcos, vowing to expand irrigable lands and increase farm support across the board, in all crops.

“We are incentivizing urban gardening, including turning idle lands into vegetable plots. We will not tolerate smuggled food that impoverishes our domestic producers and puts our consumers at risk,” he said.

At the same time, the President promised to boost the defense of the people and communities against calamities through the provision of additional resources.

The Bagong Pilipinas Campaign is the overarching theme of the Marcos administration’s brand of governance and leadership, characterized by a principled, accountable, and dependable government reinforced by unified institutions of society.

It encourages every Filipino to see beyond differences and work harmoniously to build a nation that shapes a more promising future for its citizens. (PND)