Senate meets with Baguio stakeholders on Cha-cha

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate yesterday held its consultative meeting in Baguio City with education and private sector stakeholders on the proposal to lift foreign ownership limits in the Constitution.

Sen. Sonny Angara, constitutional amendments subcommittee chair, led the hearing attended by Baguio Mayor Benjamin Magalong, Baguio Rep. Mark Go and representatives from the local business sector and the academe.

“It was a very productive multi-sectoral hearing, where we saw different points of view. This is an opportunity to address their problems (about the economic Charter change),” Angara said after the hearing.

“This is an honest to goodness consultation, because transparency and accountability are important principles when talking about the country’s economic interests,” he added.

Under Senate Resolution of Both Houses 6, the chamber proposes easing the Charter’s foreign ownership restrictions on public utilities, higher education and advertising through legislation.

One concern about opening up to foreign ownership was raised by Pangasinan State University-Bayambang campus executive director Gudelia Samson, who said that “opening schools to 100 percent foreign ownership is tantamount to treason, as it means surrendering our education system to foreigners who don’t know anything about the history of our educational system, as well as the root causes of our education crisis.”

She also expressed fear that foreign ownership of schools would result in displacement of Filipino teachers and would only benefit political dynasties and big business.

Kalinga Gov. James Edduba also expressed opposition to opening up the education sector to full foreign control, citing the need for preserving moral standards long held in the highlands.

“Huwag nang galawin ’yan (Don’t touch it),” he said.

Angara said these concerns about amending the Constitution can be addressed with the passage of laws, as he reminded them that the Charter serves only as a guide that gives direction, not a solution to all the country’s problems.

The subcommittee will hold another round of consultations next week in Cebu and Cagayan de Oro, before the Senate goes on the sine die break. — Artemio Dumlao