House Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers party-list Representative France Castro emphasized that it is time for teachers to have a genuine voice in the Senate as she aims for a seat in the 2025 midterm elections.
"Kapag mayroong tunay na guro sa Senado ay matututukan ang mga bills para sa edukasyon," Castro reiterated during the Bakit Ikaw: The DZRH Job Interview on Tuesday.
She further stressed the need to address the education crisis in the country, promote the well-being of the people, and create laws that would combat corruption and abuse in the government.
Challenges in the education sector
The lawmaker highlighted the need to strengthen and improve basic education to ensure that students can compete and succeed in top-tier schools.
She also advocates that education should be accessible to everyone, regardless of wealth, ensuring both the rich and poor have equal opportunities for education.
In addition, she emphasized that job mismatch is a result of poor coordination between important agencies such as the Department of Education (DepEd), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
"Dapat ‘yung education natin sasagot talaga doon sa pangunahing industriya natin kaya lang hindi gano’n ang nangyayari," she added.
Castro acknowledged that she supports the policies implemented under the leadership of Secretary Sonny Angara at the DepEd. However, she suggested that more attention should be given to the shortage of principals in public schools across the country.
Furthermore, she also stressed the need to address the shortage of classrooms, laptops, and equipment for students.
The decline in students' reading and mathematical proficiency
She expressed concern over the decline in students' reading and mathematical proficiency, noting that the issue is not solely rooted in the education sector.
Economic issues also play a role in this matter, including the lack of learning materials and, more importantly, the shortage of infrastructure such as classrooms.
"Sa classroom, may panukala kami na at most 35 students per class, kung kailangang-kailangan talaga hanggang 50," Castro explained.
Moreover, she aims to champion a robust feeding program for elementary students, recognizing that this is a critical stage for brain development.
The call for increased teacher allowance
Castro highlighted the recent bill that increased the teaching supplies allowance for teachers from P5,000 to P10,000, noting that ACT Teachers was the primary author of the measure.
While she recognized that the increase is not fully adequate, she noted that it will greatly benefit teachers, particularly those who have not been receiving sufficient salaries.
"Ang pinakabulto po ng mga teachers ay hindi tumatanggap ng sinasabi natin na nakabubuhay at disenteng sweldo na nakaayon sa cost of living, inflation, so mayorya po ‘yan," she explained.
"Yan po ‘yung pangunahin namin na madagdagan ng sweldo ang mga teachers," she added.
Conviction over child abuse issue
According to Castro, the latest development in her conviction is that it is being appealed at the Court of Appeals, where 13 were convicted and 4 were acquitted.
The conviction stems from a National Security Mission in Talaingod aimed at providing aid and rescue to Lumad schools in the area.
However, while the group was inside a vehicle, they were stopped at a checkpoint by Talaingod police officers and soldiers from the 56th Infantry Battalion at Barangay Santo Niño, where they were arrested.
"Yan pong kaso na ‘yan ay matagal na po na ang mga Lumad school ay talagang minimilitarize, hinaharas so before po noong 2018 so nakakatanggap kami ng report tungkol diyan," Castro recounted.
"Bilang congresswoman, pumunta po ako doon para i-rescue ‘yung mga bata. Wala pong kidnapping atsaka child trafficking na kaso," she added.
She reiterated that the situation was reversed, and her group was falsely implicated with fabricated charges.
Castro reiterated that if anyone requests her help in the future, she will not hesitate to provide it, driven by her belief that, as a teacher, she must assist both students and her fellow teachers.
She also emphasized that the accusations claiming the Lumad were being indoctrinated with communism have been thoroughly refuted.
"Mismong mga bata at estudyante po ang sumagot diyan kaya hindi po totoo ‘yung mga paratang na ganon," she added.
Addressing the needs of the transportation sector
She recognized that the near-weekly rise in gasoline prices is a significant issue, and when prices do drop, the decrease is often minimal.
Castro plans to push for the temporary removal of the excise tax on oil, citing the uncontrollable rise in prices in the international market.
Furthermore, she believes that the oil prices should be unbundled to provide a clearer view of the actual cost breakdown.
"Palakasin 'yung pang-masa na transportation para maisagawa natin ‘yung tinatawag na accessible na transportation sa lahat," she reiterated.
Impeachment move Against Vice President Sara Duterte
Castro emphasized that the impeachment issue is crucial as it involves accountability, transparency, and the need to hold officials responsible.
She pointed out that Vice President Sara Duterte has become a symbol of corruption, citing the misuse of confidential funds and the mismanagement of DepEd funds.
Moreover, she noted that if the country's economy and finances are managed properly, there would be no corruption, and the funds wasted on such issues could be redirected to social services.
The lawmaker firmly believes that the impeachment proceedings against Duterte should be addressed now and should not be postponed until the next Congress.
