GMA’s egoistic Independence Day parade underscores lack of budget for education

National Union of Students of the Philippines
National Office Office of the Student Regent, Vinzons Hall, UP Diliman, QC Telephone 9818500 loc. 4511 or 4512



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 12, 2010



GMA’s egoistic Independence Day parade underscores lack of budget for education

The National Union of Students of the Philippines held a protest to reprove President Arroyo’s P10 million legacy parade despite poor state spending on the deepening crisis on education.

“It’s a foolish splurge for Mrs. Arroyo’s Independence Day caprices considering that there are massive shortages of school essentials, like classrooms, teachers, textbooks, et al. If there is one thing the government ought to fund, it’s our deteriorating education. To expend people’s money for a parade of lies is intolerable. ” said Bugsy Nolasco, NUSP Executive Vice President.

“Under Arroyo’s administration, state abandonment on education reached its peak. Currently, the government spends P6.85 for every basic education student a day. In State Universities and Colleges, budget cuts totaled P 3.194 billion, which resulted to almost 2 million out-of-school youth in the country,” he added.

From the data of ACT Teachers Partylist for the incoming school year 2010-2011, there will be a shortage of 54,060 teachers, 4,538 principals, and 6,473 headteachers; 61,343 classrooms, 816,291 seats, and 113,051 water and sanitation facilities.

Nolasco furthered that the P10M can build 15 to 20 classrooms or 27 water & sanitation facilities or purchase 226,500 textbooks or make 9,954 seats or hire 67 additional teachers or even send 1,800 out of school youth to high school.

On the other hand, NUSP NCR Chair Marie Torregoza said that even in the remaining days of Arroyo in power, the latter never failed to use public funds for herself. She added that the egoistic parade will never change people’s demand for her immediate prosecution and incarceration.

“For nine excruciating years, we were told of unfounded accomplishments of Arroyo. But truth be told Filipinos want her to be punished for her crimes immediately.” she added. ###