Senator Juan Edgardo "Sonny" Angara has filed a bill that aims to have every Filipino family, especially those living in poverty, at least one college graduate.
Senate Bill No. 133, also known as "One Family, One Graduate Act" entitles poor but deserving students, with priority to beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), to free tertiary education until they graduate.
According to Angara, his bill seeks to institutionalize the Expanded Student Grants-in-Aid Program for Poverty Alleviation (ESGP-PA), which grants student-scholars under 4Ps a maximum of P60,000 per academic year to cover the cost of tuition and other school expenses to complete the student-grantee's degree program.
The 44-year-old senator said the ESGP-PA, which is currently being implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Commission on Higher Education, has already produced 66 graduates from the National Capital Region this year.
“Sa kabila ng mandato ng gobyerno na gawing bukas sa lahat ang edukasyon sa ating bansa, ang realidad ay marami pa ring naghihikahos na pamilyang Pilipino ang walang kakayahang ipasok ang kanilang mga anak sa eskwelahan upang makapagtapos hanggang kolehiyo. Ang hamon ngayon ay masigurong ang bawat pamilyang Pilipino ay mabigyan ng ganitong oportunidad,” he said.
Angara deplored recent studies showing that less than 20 out of 100 students were able to graduate from college. The usual reasons for not being able to finish their education were poverty and lack of opportunities, the studies said.
"One Family, One Graduate Act" also aims to contribute to the government's campaign against poverty by increasing the number of college graduates among poor households and by ensuring that these graduates are employed in high-value occupations.
“In a society with persistent poverty, education can be the great equalizer. I strongly believe in the potential of every Filipino to succeed if they are given the right opportunities in life,” said Angara, a known advocate of educational reform.
"Kaya’t gawin nating posible na maging ang pinakamahihirap ay mabigyan ng patas na oportunidad sa edukasyon. Ito ang pinakamalaking hakbang tungo sa katuparan ng kanilang mga pangarap at pag-asang makaahon mula sa kahirapan,” the senator continued.
Photo / Source: Inquirer
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