BETTER DAYS
Senator Sonny Angara
People are a nation’s key resource. The healthier, better-educated, and empowered a population is, the more likely a nation will be prosperous and developed. This is what the Human Capital Index (HCI) is about. The HCI is a regular World Bank report that ranks countries according to how well they develop the economic and professional capabilities of their own population—delves into many factors, such as health and education.
Recently, the World Bank released its 2020 update to the HCI, stating that the COVID-19 pandemic has magnified some of the major shortfalls and gaps in the way many countries have supported their human capital. Our rating was at 0.52, which meant that children born in the country today would only have a 52% chance of achieving their maximum potential in terms of productivity, which is lower than the global average of 56%.
One explanation is that we still need to double our investments in our people. For instance, according to the 2020 HCI, our country only spends 4.4% of its Gross Domestic Product on health, and 3.5%for education. While spending has grown over the years for these two important sectors, we can definitely do better for the sake of our people. It’s imperative that we urgently address the gaps—which have only been exacerbated by the pandemic.
First, we should gather more information about our own population. Data gathering is usually a periodic project, such as the PSA’s ongoing Census of Population and Housing. However, we should also consider other methods. To this end, I sponsored RA 11315, the Community-Based Monitoring System (CBMS) Act. This act aims to establish and maintain a community-based and area-specific data collection system that will send population data to a nationwide databank, for use by government agencies in the formulation, implementation, and assessment of various programs and services. Ideally, the data collected should include community-level information on various things such as poverty, senior-age population, and PWDs. Fortunately, the CBMS Law’s implementing rules and regulations have been signed. Our colleague Senator Win Gatchalian has even urged the government to use the CBMS to efficiently distribute Social Amelioration Program funds. Indeed, if the system can be used in conjunction with the PhilSys national ID program, then all the better. The CBMS could also prove to be useful for the ongoing 2021 national budget hearings. This way, in crafting next year’s budget, we can refer to updated and accurate data.
Then, for the health of future students, we have the First 1,000 Days Law, RA 11148, which we co-sponsored. This law aims to improve child survival and development, protecting the child and mother through health and nutrition programs that can prevent malnutrition and stunting —some of the key factors that will affect their educational performance.
Then on the ongoing disruption of our youth’s education, I have filed SB 1633, the School Modernization, Connectivity, and Innovation Act of 2020. This is a version of an earlier bill we filed (SB 959), amended to include provisions for schools to supply students and teachers with ICT devices for distance education – a reaction to the COVID-19 pandemic. This measure could also complement RA 10929, which institutionalizes the Free Internet Access in Public Places Program and mandates the DICT to set up free Wi-Fi hotspots in all educational institutions. We should also revisit the Open Distance Learning Act, RA 10650. While this act encourages media and telecommunications networks as mediums for distance education, certainly amendments will be needed for modifications and expansions to address the pandemic situation. We should also address how to make government partnerships with private companies easier, specifically for the use of distance learning services in public schools.
We do have programs and services that can address important issues brought up by the Human Capital Index report—not least of which is the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) under the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
But to address these issues more effectively while responding to the exigencies of the pandemic, we need updated and accurate data to make better legislation, policies, programs, and services. This is even more important for multi-sectoral programs and actions, to make sure that all stakeholders can effectively use their resources. Our score in the Human Capital Index is a challenge to do better—one that all of us should rise to and integrate into our approach to the Next Normal.
E-mail: [email protected]| Facebook, Twitter & Instagram: @sonnyangara
Senator Sonny Angara has been in public service for 16 years — 9 years as representative of the Lone District of Aurora, and 7 as senator. He has authored and sponsored more than 200 laws