BEYOND BUDGET
Assalamu alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.
These past few weeks have been hectic. Aside from doing the usual office tasks, such as attending meetings and budget preparation activities, I was invited to grace, as guest of honor and keynote speaker, three graduation ceremonies. The first invitation was from the Ifugao State University (IFSU) in Ifugao Province, and the other, from the Leyte Normal University (LNU) in Tacloban, Leyte.
Next week, I'm scheduled to give an inspirational message to future leaders from the Mindanao State University.
Education in the Philippines
Recent data showed that the Philippines’ literacy rate has improved. Between 2010-2021, the literacy rate was highest in 2021 and lowest in 2018. The literacy rate reached 99.27 percent in 2021.
Meanwhile, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) said in 2022 that enrollment in the past few years has increased due to the free college tuition provided by the government. In fact, CHED Chairperson Prospero de Vera noted that enrollment “increased dramatically” to 4.1 million in 2022 from 2.9 million in 2017.
More students were said to have enrolled in courses with high demand, including criminology, engineering, technology, IT-related disciplines, and social and behavioral sciences. Also, more students “preferred” public schools over private schools.
However, CHED added that graduation rates did not go up while dropout rates remained the same. From 2016 to 2022, the dropout rate was about 34 percent.
The lessons we learn
During the IFSU graduation, I pointed out that more than rote memorizing data and figures, education imparts several lessons we can use in life.
First, innovation. One can use his/her circumstance and the knowledge acquired to pioneer or innovate. An example is the graduates of Ifugao who grew up against the backdrop of the Cordilleras. The bountiful blessings that the Cordillera offers, the indigenous knowledge and teachings from their communities, and education have empowered the youth to think of original ideas and suggest novel approaches to achieving socioeconomic objectives, which will allow them to lead and serve the people.
Second, promoting internationalization. I am aware of what it means to belong to a minority because I am a Maranao — a member of an indigenous group. But being outnumbered and being unique are both beautiful things. Instead of shying away, this provides greater motivation to engage with the world, present ourselves as we are, spread our culture, and create connections.
Third, inspiring excellence. Always give your all every time in everything you do — whether you’re a teacher, nurse, social worker, engineer, or welder. Maintain your integrity and a level of excellence throughout the process. Being upright and outstanding encourages people to follow your example.
Fourth, securing sustainable development. Channel your gratitude for nature and loved ones as motivation to protect the environment and further develop the agricultural sector which will, in turn, help achieve sustainability, a key component of the Agenda for Prosperity of the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
Thus, I have learned that your success does not depend on one’s alma mater, but largely on the attitude and determination to succeed.
At LNU, I left a challenge to the students with a question: “What will my story be after graduation?”
These groups of graduates came from the families of survivors of Super Typhoon Yolanda, the 6.5 magnitude earthquake in 2017, and the many disasters, typhoons and flooding in the province. They even went through the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions. Yet, they were able to graduate.
Hence, as a generation of survivors that will chart a new path not just for themselves, but for Leyte, and the whole nation, it is but fitting to take part and contribute to our national commitment.
Investing in education
On the part of the Department of Budget and Management, we have carefully crafted a national budget geared towards achieving socioeconomic transformation — one that will not just address the immediate and pressing concerns of our citizens, but will also make the country’s growth sustainable for future generations.
To give an overview, the Fiscal Year 2023 National Budget of the Philippines amounts to ₱5.268 trillion, and we have allotted 38 percent for our social services sector. This is in line with our commitment to investing in our people through major social and human capital development expenditures.
As always, we have provided the highest allocation to the education, culture, and manpower development sector amounting to ₱909.1 billion. This is consistent with the Constitutional mandate to assign the highest budget priority to education, but more than this, it also reflects the Administration's commitment to empowering the youth, our future leaders and nation-builders.
Of the ₱909.1 billion, ₱896.1 billion was allotted to the Education Departments and Agencies which include ₱66.52 billion for the Basic Education Inputs Program; ₱54.9-billion for the Education Assistance and Subsidies; ₱47.6 billion for the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education; and ₱23.4 billion for the Basic Education Facilities Program.
Through a revitalized educational system, we aspire to provide every Filipino a fighting chance to manage life's uncertainties so they can choose to achieve their full potential.
As PBBM said in his first State of the Nation Address, “Education is the only legacy we can leave our children that will never go to waste. So, we will not hold back on investing in our education.”
Beyond budget, our country is investing in education to produce future leaders ready to take on the challenge to act and be part of the social and economic transformation where no Filipino will be left behind.
(Amenah F. Pangandaman is the current Secretary of the Department of Budget and Management.)