Former senators Bam Aquino and Kiko Pangilinan, both running for a fresh term in the Senate, reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring all Filipinos have access to quality and affordable education.
(From left) Senatorial candidates Kiko Pangilinan and Bam Aquino (Photos from Bam Aquino, Kiko Pangilinan Facebook pages)
In his speech before employees of the Quezon City government during their flag-raising ceremony on Monday, March 17, Aquino assured them that he would strengthen his Free College Law if given the chance to serve them in the May 2025 midterm polls.
“I'm proud to say, dito po sa Pilipinas at sa Quezon City, libre na po ang kolehiyo for the past seven years. Of course, ang pinakasikat na eskwelahan na meron pong tulong sa libreng kolehiyo, ang University of the Philippines, dito lang po, malapit sa atin (here in the Philippines and Quezon City, college has been free for the past seven years. Of course, the most popular school that benefited from the free college is the University of the Philippines, just near us here),” he said.
“Pero naririyan din po ang PUP at ang Quezon City University, na may suporta at tulong rin po mula sa batas natin (But PUP and Quezon City University also benefited from our law),” he added.
He also promised that unhampered and a more expansive government support will go to the QC University if he wins a fresh term.
Aquino also thanked Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte and other city officials for giving him the chance to share about his advocacy to the municipal employees.
The former senator, author of the Free College Law and the Go Negosyo Act, among others, is running on the platform of free education and guaranteed employment.
He also vowed to help micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) access government aid and mentorship programs.
Meanwhile, Pangilinan spent his day at the Capiz State University (CAPSU), where he talked about the role of academic institutions in advancing food security and rural development.
“Dapat naaabot, praktikal, at may direktang ugnayan sa pagpapabuti ng sektor ng agrikultura ang mas mataas na edukasyon. Mahalaga ang papel ng CAPSU sa pagsasanay ng susunod na henerasyon ng mga magsasaka, agripreneur, at mananaliksik na sisiguruhing may sapat na pagkain para sa ating bayan (Strengthening the agriculture sector should be accessible, practical, and directly connected to education. CAPSU has an important role in the learning of the next generation of farmers, agripreneur, and researchers to ensure our country has enough access to food),” the former senator explained.
While there, he also celebrated the impact of Republic Act No. 9273, the law that converted Panay State Polytechnic College into CAPSU.
Being one of the principal authors of the landmark legislation, the former senator explained that in establishing CAPSU, he hoped that the institution will hone the youth to uplift their own communities.
“Dalawang dekada ang lumipas, kitang-kita natin ang bunga ng pangarap na iyon (Two decades after, we can see the fruits of that dream),” he added.
RA 9273, enacted in 2004, elevated CAPSU into a premier academic institution in Western Visayas, integrating various state colleges across Capiz under one university system.
Since then, CAPSU has expanded its programs in agriculture, fisheries, engineering, business, and other disciplines vital to regional and national development.
“Walang kulay ang edukasyon. Isa itong batayang karapatan na dapat nating alagaan at ipaglaban. Patuloy nating isusulong ang mga polisiyang titiyak na walang estudyanteng Pilipino ang maiiwan (Education has no political color. This is a right that we must protect and fight for. Let us continue pushing for policies that will ensure no Filipino student will be left behind),” Pangilinan said.