State universities, colleges group endorses Angara candidacy

The president of the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC) has endorsed the candidacy of LDP-Puwersa senatorial candidate Edgardo Angara for his outstanding work in the education sector.

"Remember and help Ed Angara," PASUC president Feliciano Rosete said in his message to 82 state-run colleges and universities under the PASUC.

Angara, a former president of the University of the Philippines – the country’s premier university – has also initiated several measures to boost the state colleges and universities.

The Manila Youth Leaders, a big group of young grassroots leaders in Manila, also endorsed the candidacy of Angara because of his work for the youth and the education sector.

Angara was the principal author of the Free High School Act, the landmark law that mandates free secondary education for Filipinos.

He also principally sponsored two laws that restructured the Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS) so the agency can focus on the urgent needs of basic education. The laws created the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Technical Education Skillls and Development Authority.

He was also the main driving force behind the passage of the Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education (GASTPE).

He was one of the legislators that worked hard to increase the basic pay of public school teachers from P3,000 to P10,000 a month.

Angara was also the principal figure behind the creation of the Congressional Commission on Educational Modernization, which prepared a landmark study on the problems of Philippine education.

Earlier, the United Broiler Raisers Association of the Philippines (UBRA) endorsed Angara for his work to protect Philippine poultry raisers and farm interests.