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Highlights Of The 98th LEDAC Meeting Approval/Adoption Of The Minutes Of The 97th LEDAC MeetingThe President invited the members of the Council to review, approve and adopt the minutes of the 97th LEDAC Meeting. Senate President Franklin Drilon raised the question on the passage of the Transco Franchise Bill. He said that the DOE wanted the authority to grant the franchise delegated to the DOE which the Senate did not agree on. The President clarified that the last policy agreement made in the Executive was to pass the Transco bill but not the delegation of authority to grant the franchise. The franchise will be granted only after a bidder wins as provided in the bill. Secretary Vince Perez concurred with the Senate position and the DOE will go ahead with the bidding first to identify the party before the DOE will apply for the Transco franchise. Business Arising From The Minutes Of The Last Meeting The President called on Secretary Manuel M. Dayrit to give an update on the “samo.” Sec. Dayrit thanked Sen. Pimentel for bringing out the issue and gave a background of the benefits of the samo, a brown seaweed which when dried and made into tea has anti-diabetic effects. It does that by absorbing the sugars in the gut so that the sugars are not rapidly absorbed and there seems to be a metabolic effect mediated by iodine improving sugar uptake of the cells. The DOH will be working with the DOST to look into the matter more closely and the possibility of the commercialization of the seaweed. The President said that the bills on revenue measures have already been filed in the House of Representatives (HOR). In line with this, Sen. Recto requested DOF to provide the Senate with a copy of the Executive version of said bills. LEDAC Education And Youth Opportunity The President presented the government’s education and youth opportunity reforms as follows:
The Education And Youth Opportunities Reform Program The President called on Undersecretary Bacani to present the government’s education and youth opportunity reform program and priorities. Priority Thrusts And Programs In Line With The 10-Point Development Agenda Usec. Bacani started his presentation with the performance goal for basic education as articulated in the President’s Inaugural speech which talks of universal participation, adequate and uncrowded classrooms and the primary purpose which is to improve learning conditions in schools. The DEPED will pursue these goals thru the 3Rs:
On reengineering systems and procedures, the DEPED has three measures:
On raising learning outcomes, the DEPED has identified the following measures:
Usec. Bacani also presented the important legislative agenda to be addressed by the LEDAC as follows:
Pesentation Of The TESDA Director General Alcestis Guiang presented the following as the policy recommendations of the TESDA:
Discussions Transfer of Public School Teachers Senate President Drilon queried Undersecretary Bacani about the need to amend the Magna Charta for Public School Teachers in order to allow the DEPED to transfer teachers to rural or remote areas. Usec. Bacani replied that Superintendents are reluctant to transfer teachers due to the risk of legal action taken by the teachers. The Senate President suggested that administrative measures be used by DEPED. Senate President Drilon suggested that the DEPED issue an Administrative order defining the expediency of the service clause. This can be used as a means of formulating a policy of transferring teachers to areas that need teachers. Senator Pangilinan suggested that DEPED study other innovative approaches to easing the burden on teachers or providing incentives to teachers to transfer or involving the target communities in the process. Senate President’s School Building Project The Senate President informed the Council that he is working with the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry Incorporated (FFCCII) in building school buildings all over the country through his Priority Development Assistance Funds (PDAF). He informed the Council that his project has been successful in building schools at half the price of those built by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). The President suggested that the DPWH should look into the design of the FFCCII school building as a model for DPWH program. Gaps in Secondary Education Rep. Salceda suggested that the use of scholarships like the Government Assistance To Students and Teachers In Private Education (GASTE) in the secondary level is a much more efficient in reducing demand and supply gaps in the secondary school system. Policy on State Colleges and Universities (SUCs) Deputy Speaker Salapuddin requested the President to consider allowing the creation of State Universities at the provincial level. The President that she would study that proposal. Sen. Flavier informed the Council that the Senate Committee on Education would consider State College conversions/creations that meet CHED criteria. Sec. Purisima suggested that the creation of specialized schools be considered in order to meet market demands. 8.6 Senate President Drilon requested the CHED to be stricter in its supervision of SUCs including the processing of conversions. He explained that order of business of the Senate is hampered by actions by employees of state institutions lobbying for the upgrading of their schools. Open University House Speaker De Venecia suggested that franchise holders for television and radio be required to have mandatory educational programs similar to the open university of the United Kingdom. He suggested that the DEPED be given a budget to design educational programs for all levels to be used the media outlets. Speaker De Venecia opined that the program could improve the human capital of the country. Sec. Neri supported the Speaker’s suggestion. Other Matters ARMM Elections The President requested for a decision from the Council regarding the conduct of ARMM elections this September. Deputy Speaker replied that a bill had been filed in the lower House by all of the Muslim Congressmen to postpone the ARMM elections. The Council agreed to postpone the elections and the leadership of both Houses would ensure that the bill is passed before Congress recesses on September 11 2004. The new date would be determined later. Barangay and SK Elections. On a query from the House Majority Floor Leader about the postponement of the barangay and SK elections, The President replied that she personally supports the postponement of both but she would leave that decision to Congress. Senate President Drilon informed the Council that he would need to consult his colleagues on the issue. Agreements The Council agreed to postpone the ARMM elections. The leaders of both Houses of Congress shall ensure that the measure is passed before the September 11 recess. Download The Full Version Of This Document In Microsoft Word Format |
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