The Private Education Assistance Committee (PEAC) expressed strong support on Thursday, July 4, for Senator and incoming Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara, particularly his efforts to further expand government assistance for poor students.
“We are eager to collaborate closely with Secretary Angara to further the mission of PEAC, striving towards an inclusive, equitable, and superior educational system for all,” PEAC Executive Director Doris Fernandez Ferrer said in a statement.
The DepEd Secretary serves as PEAC’s Chair, a five-member committee constituted to serve as trustee of the government’s Fund for Assistance to Private Education.
“We are committed to sustaining our mission of alleviating classroom shortages and student overflow in public schools by providing financial support to Filipino learners in private high schools through the Government Assistance and Subsidies (GAS) Programs,” Ferrer said.
With Angara at the helm of DepEd, PEAC expressed hope that more students would benefit through the expansion of their programs aimed at making private education more accessible.
Among these programs are the Education Service Contracting (ESC) program, which provides financial assistance to students transitioning from elementary to junior high school, and the Senior High School Voucher Program (SHSVP) for senior high school students.
PEAC also implements the Teacher Salary Subsidy (TSS), which offers annual subsidies to qualified teachers in ESC-participating schools, and the In-Service Training (INSET) program, which enhances teacher competencies through targeted training.
Ferrer noted that in School Year (SY) 2022-2023, these programs, co-implemented by DepEd and PEAC, demonstrated their impact by benefiting over 2.2 million students.
“After more than 20 years of service, approximately 9.7 million students in about 8,000 schools have benefited from this noble work,” she added.
Renewed era of commitment
Moreover, Ferrer noted that Angara’s appointment heralds “an era of renewed commitment and strategic initiatives for education in our nation.”
Ferrer highlighted Angara’s distinguished record of policy reforms, underscoring his “unwavering dedication” to advancing education.
“His tireless advocacy for increased budget allocations, enhanced teacher training programs, and substantial infrastructure development has addressed critical gaps and elevated the standard of education,” she said.
“His proactive measures during the Covid-19 pandemic exemplify his commitment to elevate the quality of education for every Filipino student,” she added.
Continuing his father’s legacy
Ferrer added that Angara continues the legacy of his father, the late Senator Edgardo Angara Sr., revered as the Father of the Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education (GASTPE).
“This transformative program has provided indispensable financial assistance to millions of students and educators nationwide,” Ferrer said.
Currently, Ferrer explained, GASTPE benefits over a million students annually and encompasses thousands of participating schools, highlighting its “profound impact on the educational landscape.”
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