During Bohol SK convention: Arroyo signs law for benefit of students

CEBU, Philippines - President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo yesterday announced legislative measures and programs that would mostly benefit the children of the low income families that are expected to help augment the country’s present economic status.

During the gathering of over 4,000 members of the Sangguniang Kabataan National Federation in Tagbilaran City Bohol yesterday, the president signed into law Republic Act 9547, which strengthened the Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES).

Bohol first district Rep. Edgardo Chatto, principal author of the House bill, witnessed the signing of the new law along with other local and national officials.

“This law will expand opportunities for poor students to acquire hands-on training and earn some money which they will use to continue schooling,” Arroyo said.

She further stated that the government is pouring in all savings and revenue into programs to help the poor and middle class, which means more programs for economy, environment and education.

In this global economy, knowledge is the creator of wealth. The social safety net programs of the administration are focused like a laser on expanding educational opportunities to enable the upward mobility of young men and women from poor families,” she said.

The new law amends RA 7323, which was signed by then President Corazon Aquino to provide more employment opportunities to poor students in private companies as well as local government agencies at salaries not lower than the prevailing minimum wage.

Under SPES, 60 percent of the salaries would be paid in cash by the employers while the remaining 40 percent is provided by the government in the form of education vouchers which can be used in payment of tuition fees and book expenses. Chatto said that with the law, there will be more students who would join the work force even beyond their break or vacation.

“For secondary level students, they can join only on summer and Christmas break, but for tertiary with vocational courses, they can join anytime of the year depending on the agreement of the LGU and the private company,” Chatto said.

Other than that, Arroyo announced she issued an executive order to the Commission on Higher Education to instruct all state colleges and universities to device a sensitive and flexible tuition plan.

The president said she revoked the “no payment, no examination” policy which has been the root cause of dropouts, and expanded the coverage of assistance fund.

Rigid tuition fee payment rules cannot be allowed to sabotage the great educational agenda of our administration,” Arroyo said.

She added that another order was also signed for the establishment of the Youth National Service which will involve both educated and the less educated youth, particularly the “out of schools youth serving towards economic resiliency.” — Ferliza C. Contratista/WAB      (THE FREEMAN)