Marcos' 3rd meeting with Cabinet focuses on education, social welfare

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. presided over his third Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, with a focus on the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

"Today we will be briefed by Secretary VP Inday (Sara Duterte) on her plans for the DepEd and then following that will be Sec. Erwin (Tulfo), who will give us a rundown on the DSWD," Marcos said at the start of the meeting.

The President asked how she will address Vice President Sara Duterte, who also serves as DepEd secretary.

“How do I address you? VP-Secretary? Secretary-VP?” Marcos asked.

“Inday Sara, sir,” Duterte, daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte, said in response, drawing laughter from the other Cabinet members.

A statement released by the Palace said the DepEd had discussed their priority programs and projects for basic education while the Department of Social Welfare and Development presented their plans for social welfare. 

According to Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles, Tulfo reiterated that at least 1.3 million households are now considered "non-poor." This means they are no longer qualified to receive cash assistance from the national government.

"This frees up P15 billion for other qualified persons to replace them and now be included in the said program," Angeles said. —KBK/VBL, GMA News