PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is urging Filipino parents to support their children’s pursuit of higher education, as government initiatives continue to drive up college and technical-vocational enrollment nationwide.

In his fourth SONA, Marcos highlighted a significant increase in the number of Filipino youth entering college or programs under the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) — a development he credited to expanded government support for education.

“The number of our youth entering college or TESDA programs is now very high. The Philippines now ranks second in all of Asia in terms of youth enrollment in college and tech-voc. More are also graduating,” the President said in Filipino.

With this progress, Marcos appealed to parents to play an active role in ensuring their children complete their studies.

“To all parents, make the most of this opportunity, because we hope that very soon, every Filipino family will have a child who has graduated from college or from a TESDA program,” he added.

The President’s remarks reflect the administration’s sustained efforts to expand access to higher education through programs such as free tuition in state universities and colleges, scholarships, and TESDA-led skills training.

Education advocates welcomed the administration’s focus, viewing it as essential for improving long-term economic prospects and lifting more families out of poverty.

As enrollment and graduation rates climb, Marcos reiterated that sustained parental involvement — coupled with government assistance — will help build a more skilled and competitive Filipino workforce.