Marcos Establishes EduPhil Program to Attract International Students to Philippines

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has signed an executive order establishing the Education Philippines (EduPhil) Program to promote the country as a preferred destination for international students seeking higher education, research, and training. Under EO No. 124, the EduPhil Program seeks to facilitate the entry, stay, and education of international students in the Philippines through a whole-of-government framework. It also aims to support and promote Philippine higher education internationally by advancing academic cooperation, research collaboration, innovation partnerships, knowledge exchange, and global engagement. “The increasing importance of international education as a driver of economic growth, innovation, cultural diplomacy, human capital development, and international cooperation, together with the rapid evolution of digital governance and regional integration, necessitates a modern, coordinated, and digitally enabled whole-of-government framework to streamline the delivery of government services relating to international education and strengthen the competitiveness of the Philippines as a destination for higher education, research, and academic exchange,” the EO read. The EO also formed the EduPhil Task Force, which shall serve as the principal inter-agency coordinating body for promoting, facilitating, and developing international students' education in the country. The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) shall serve as the program's lead implementing agency and the task force's secretariat. The EduPhil Portal shall also be established to facilitate and streamline the delivery of government services relating to the education of international students in the country. The initial funding requirement for the program implementation will be charged against the current and available appropriations of the CHED and other concerned agencies. Executive Secretary Ralph Recto signed the EO on behalf of the President on September 8, 2026. —LDF, GMA News