PLM confers honoris causa to PBBM; cites allied health sciences building contribution

Written by Kate Marquez & Rob Carlo Elle • Board by Jian Muyano | 27 August 26

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. was conferred an honorary Doctor of Laws, Honoris Causa by the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) during its 58th commencement exercises held at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), Aug. 27.

The honorary degree was conferred in recognition of Marcos’ efforts in advancing the rule of law, economic development, access to education, public health services, and social equity.

The Board of Regents (BOR) Secretary, Elvira Cruz, stated that the national administration’s development of the PLM Allied Health Sciences Building aimed to provide a well-equipped learning environment.

“His administration’s development includes the construction of the PLM allied health sciences building, which will provide a more modern and well-equipped learning environment,” Cruz said.

After the conferment led by Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso, he introduced Marcos to the Class of 2026 before the President delivered his remarks as the commencement guest speaker.

In his speech, Marcos highlighted that 2.62 million students benefit from free higher education.

“We are doing this by expanding free higher education, which now benefits 2.62 million students, while continuing scholarship and financial assistance programs such as the Tertiary Education Subsidy and the Tulong Dunong Program," Marcos said.

He also emphasized his administration’s commitment to universal access to quality education despite its lapses.

“The promise of a tertiary education and training still does not reach every Filipino household equally and thus, we remain committed to the full and effective implementation of the universal access to quality education,” he said.

Meanwhile, 49 of the 113 state universities and colleges (SUCs) in the Philippines, will receive lower budgets next year under the National Expenditure Program (NEP).

The total SUCs budget in 2027 decreased to ₱134.6 billion from ₱137.9 billion this year.