By Liezelle Soriano

MANILA — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has called upon the employees of the Office of the President to prioritize efficiency in their service to the public.

“We are reminded of the fact that the Office of the President is a 127-year-old institution. It is important to remember this because we have to, once in a while, take a step back, take a breath, and recognize the importance of the work that we do,” Marcos said during the flag-raising ceremony in Malacañang.

“We have been entrusted with a great responsibility by our people, and it is incumbent upon us to fulfill it. We must strive to make our people proud of us,” he added.

Marcos made these remarks during the celebration of the anniversary of the OP.

According to Marcos, the work of the OP significantly contributes to the strength of the country’s leadership.

“Sometimes, due to the volume of work, we may overlook the significance of each task as merely another item on our to-do list. However, the reality is that every project, every decision, and every policy implementation impacts the entire Philippines,” Marcos emphasized.

“That’s why we must excel in our duties. We must always strive to remember our love for the Philippines and our fellow Filipinos,” the President stressed.

The Office of the President was established on March 22, 1897, through Administrative Order No. 322, s. 1997, adopting the stance of the National Historical Institute Board.

(el Amigo/MNM)

By Liezelle Soriano

A P1 million cash prize awaits the winners of the parol-making contest sponsored by the Office of the President and the Commission on Higher Education.

The second and third placers will receive P500,000 and P250,000, respectively.

Meanwhile, an online poll winner will receive a special prize of P100,000.

The OP and CHED urged students enrolled in State Universities and Colleges to join the contest dubbed “Isang Bituin, Isang Mithiin.”

Each group, consisting a maximum of four students, should submit one original parol (lantern) made of recycled endemic materials such as bamboo, paper, and coconut palm representing the unique traditions of the SUCs they belong to.

The use of plastic materials is not allowed.
Store-bought lanterns will not be accepted.

To participate, students should submit printed and soft copies of the official endorsement letter from the SUCs they represent.

Submission of entries in Malacañang is only on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., on or before October 27.

Winning SUCs will receive a photo and video editing package composed of a gigabyte G7 laptop; one year Adobe Creative Cloud subscription; Canon M50 camera; 1 DJI Ronin-SC camera stabilizer 3-Axis Gimbal; and one INSTA 360 Flow AI-powered smartphone stabilizer.