San juan city: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday said the government is making massive investments in education and skills development while leveraging technology to bring training and employment opportunities closer to Filipinos. Marcos made the statement as he led the launch of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Skills Passport Mobile Application in San Juan City, calling the platform a key reform to modernize skills training and workforce development. According to Philippines News Agency, the President underscored that technology has become inseparable from daily life, noting that learning, communication, and work have largely shifted to digital platforms. He said education and skills development remain the administration's primary investments for long-term growth, revealing that more than PHP1 trillion has been allocated for education this year. The President also announced that TESDA received nearly PHP20 billion in funding for 2026, the largest budget in the a gency's history, to expand scholarships and skills training programs. The TESDA Skills Passport Mobile Application serves as an all-in-one digital platform where users can store verified credentials, access training and scholarships, explore job opportunities, and locate TESDA-accredited institutions. The app also uses identity verification and data security features, including PhilSys validation and blockchain technology, to ensure the integrity of credentials. Marcos said the platform would help employers verify qualifications and allow workers to plan their training and career pathways more efficiently. Thursday's event marked the President's first public engagement since he was diagnosed with diverticulitis on Jan. 21. On doctors' advice, Marcos earlier limited his activities to meetings and paperwork inside Malacañang but continued to discharge his duties.