Former Senator Paolo Benigno "Bam" Aquino IV vowed to champion reforms in the nation's education system and work towards providing guaranteed jobs for all citizens, should he return to the Senate.
In the Bakit Ikaw: The DZRH Job Interview on Monday, Aquino emphasized that he also aims to address the rising cost of goods, in addition to supporting families and the youth.
"Ang nais po natin bumalik sa Senado, pagtibayin ang ating educational system, mga reporma sa edukasyon na kailangang isulong, siguraduhin na pagkatapos ng edukasyon mayroong siguradong trabaho at napakarami pang ibang mga importanteng bagay na bigyan ng pansin doon po sa Senado," Aquino explained.
Critical gaps in the education system
Aquino, a principal sponsor of the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, noted that the law has had a significant impact on increasing the country’s completion rate.
With the law enacted in 2017, tuition fees in state universities and local universities across the country have been waived, making education free for students.
"Noong panahong po naisulong natin ‘yan, ‘yung completion rate, ‘yung ilan po ang nagtatapos sa mga pumasok ng first year ilan ang magtatapos ng fourth year, bago ho napasa ‘yung batas, 25 percent lang po," said Aquino.
"Ibig sabihin sa kada apat na papasok sa first year, isa lang ‘yung ggraduate. Ngayon po, 60 percent na po ‘yan. Pero alam rin ho natin, mayroon pang kailangang gawin para mas mapatibay pa ‘yung batas. Para ‘yung 60%, maging 80% naman ‘yung completion natin," he added.
However, with the continuous rise in commodity prices, Aquino said students are now struggling with increasing costs for transportation, food, and school supplies.
The former senator pointed out that these daily financial burdens, in addition to tuition fees, are now major factors in the increasing number of dropouts.
He pointed out the necessity of funding the existing law as this year’s budget for free college education has been cut by P3 billion.
"Mahalaga po na napopondohan ito, mahalaga na naibalik ‘yung pera at mas nadadagdagan pa kasi kada taon po dapat mas maraming kabataan ang nakikinabang sa batas natin," Aquino reiterated.
"At pagkatapos syempre niyan, itambal natin sa libreng kolehiyo ‘yung reporma ng siguradong trabaho kasi kulang po ‘yan kung maka-graduate ka, wala ka namang trabaho," he added.
Efforts to improve the quality of education in the country
Aquino noted that students in the country are 2 to 3 years behind, highlighting the need for significant reforms to address this issue.
He further emphasized that the resolution of this issue should begin by focusing on teachers, noting that the quality of educators is directly linked to the overall quality of education in the country.
"It starts with the teachers. Kailangan po talaga ‘yung mga guro natin [ay] sinusuportahan, maayos po ‘yung sweldo, at higit sa lahat nakapagtuturo," said Aquino.
He emphasized the importance of teachers focusing on their teaching roles, noting that there are instances where teachers are also directly involved in organizing feeding programs and other activities at school.
"Sabi nga nila ‘pwede bang dagdagan ng non-teaching personnel ang DepEd,’ para sila makapag-focus sa pagtuturo," he added.
Aquino also stressed the need for better infrastructure, citing that the country's classroom deficit has increased, with over 100,000 classrooms still lacking.
Furthermore, he suggested improving technological infrastructure, emphasizing the need for schools to have internet and Wi-Fi access for students to utilize.
"Dapat po ‘yung ating mga public school and public colleges, mayroon po ‘yang libreng internet," Aquino explained.
Another issue he raised is the need to improve curricula, emphasizing that it should be able to keep up with modern times, especially in an era where Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming increasingly prevalent.
Ultimately, he emphasized that education should be prioritized, and as such, funding for it should never be reduced.
Feeding program in public schools
Regarding the provision of feeding programs in schools, he also stressed the need to fund such programs so that they benefit not only undernourished students but all students in need.
"Importante po na fully funded ‘yung National Feeding Program natin kasi alam po natin ‘yung pinakaunang rason kung bakit nagd-drop out ang mga bata sa elementary ay dahil po sa kakulangan ng pagkain, dahil gutom sila," Aquino explained.
"So, palagay ko mahalaga na pondohan po ito. Siguraduhin na lahat ng bata, pagpasok po sa eskwelahan, mayroon pong makakain," he added.
Aquino noted that he believes there are many existing laws, but they need proper funding and effective implementation.
Moreover, he hopes that as the budget increases, people will also feel the support, services, and assistance from the government.
Assistance for Micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs)
The former senator believes that supporting small businesses is crucial for the development of a country.
"Kasi ang pagtulong po sa maliliit na negosyante, ibig sabihin ‘yung kasaganahan na mayroon sa mga siyudad at mayroon sa malalaking kumpanya ay ibabahagi po sa mas maliliit na kumpanya o mas maliliit na negosyante," said Aquino.
"Ang pangunahing hinahanap po ngayon ng mga maliliit na negosyante po natin ay sana po mas maging madali ang kanilang pagnenegosyo o ‘yung ease of doing business po," he added.
Aquino pointed out that there should be no bribery involved when obtaining permits from local government units (LGUs) and agencies, and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) should collect only the proper and lawful fees.
Furthermore, he noted that 99% of businesses in the Philippines are MSMEs, which is why government support is essential. He emphasized that policies should focus on these businesses and they should be provided with proper assistance.
New laws aim to provide greater support for the youth and senior citizens
"Yung page-empleyo malaking bagay po talaga. Nagawan na natin ng batas ‘yung libreng kolehiyo, naka-institutionalized na po ‘yan pero kulang po ‘yan. Hindi siya kumpleto kung wala ‘yung siguradong trabaho," Aquino stated.
"Kailangan talaga nandiyan ‘yung reporma na kung saan ‘yung estado mismo pwedeng tumulong na mabigyan ka ng trabaho na nais mo," he added.
He vowed to advocate not only for support in education but also for assistance in securing employment.
He stressed that both unemployment and underemployment should be addressed, so the youth can have jobs that will truly improve their lives.
Meanwhile, as part of his support for senior citizens, Aquino emphasized the importance of reviewing existing laws, assessing their benefits, and exploring additional assistance that can be provided to them.
Apart from this, he also expressed his intention to advocate for those who are still able to work, suggesting that they should be given opportunities to remain productive, such as through supporting business ventures.
What more can be done to assist persons with disabilities (PWDs)?
"Yung mga kapatid nating PWD, marami po sa kanila kayang magtrabaho, gustong tumulong sa kanilang pamilya pero nadi-discriminate," said Aquino.
He further emphasized his desire to advocate for job opportunities based on one's abilities, rather than what one has or doesn't have.
Aquino proposed that employment, entrepreneurship, and skills training should be prioritized to assist persons with disabilities (PWDs).
Impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte
The senatorial candidate admitted that the impeachment case against the Vice President is a significant issue, noting that it has shaken the political landscape.
Aquino stressed that if he were to serve as a judge in the impeachment trial, decisions would be based solely on the evidence presented during the proceedings.
The candidate for senator made history as the youngest Senator of the 16th Congress of the Philippines. At the age of 25 in 2003, he became the youngest to head a government agency when appointed as Chairperson of the National Youth Commission.
