Educational reform must be top priority, urge Filipinas

Five millennial and one Gen Z Filipinas are for the rehabilitation of their motherland’s educational system.

Bea Bagac, Mariveth Kong, Ria Favis, Leslie Delos Santos-Pableo, Hershilyn Laquian, and Ailan Lapuz said educational reform must be the top legislative priority of the incoming new set of legislators – a total of over 200 – comprising the Philippines’ Bicameral Congress (Senate and House of Representatives) relative to the conclusion of the May 11 mid-term elections and in connection to the 127th Philippine Independence Day celebration on June 12.

It was 137 years back when 20 young women from Bulacan – to be known as the “Women of Malolos” – fearlessly demanded that Spanish Governor General Valeriano Weyler provide them with an evening school through which they would learn the Spanish language so they could actively and productively participate in the socio-economic-political domains of the era.

Business consultant/growth strategist Bea Bagac: “The 2025 to 2031 legislature should focus on improving political education to fight fake news and help Filipinos unite. They can start by filing a bill for a nationwide civic education programme.”

Mariveth Kong underscored the “need” for patriotic and principled leaders “just as our heroes once did” who should “pass a priority bill focused on quality and accessible education. Investing in education bridges inequality, empower the youth, and strengthens our democracy. They can restore public trust by actively rebuilding public confidence in government institutions which includes prioritising anti-corruption laws, campaign finance reforms, and strengthening checks and balances to ensure that all public officials regardless of position are held accountable.”

As education is reflective of the truth, Kong said: “Our lawmakers must rise above politics. The impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte must be handled with fairness, integrity and transparency – free from personal or party interests. It must neither be weaponised for political gain nor dismissed out of convenience. This is a test of our democratic maturity.”

PixelPlusMedia partner and Business Development in-charge Ria Favis: “Independence is more meaningful when Filipinos are empowered not just to vote, but to lead, build and thrive. If we are serious about real change and national progress, we must start where the future begins. In the rural and urban classrooms because better education is the foundation of a stronger, more united nation. When citizens are equipped with critical thinking skills, digital literacy and quality education, they are more capable of making informed decisions in the areas of career choice, managing finances, and more importantly, electing credible and ethical leaders. They are able to uplift communities, fuel innovation, create better job opportunities and therefore help reduce inequality.”

More important than being erudite in Philippine history, according to Reel Dunes Productions managing partner Leslie Delos Santos-Pableo, “is making sure that every Filipino today lives decently and moves forward with hope. Enough of personal interests and political drama. Our legislators must accept the reality that they have been elected. They are expected to pay serious attention to lowering cost of living, improving healthcare, and providing accessible and affordable quality education, as well as more job opportunities.”

As the House of Representatives and Senate “engage with the civil society and educational institutions to build a civic-minded citizenry and collaborate between and among them for long-term frameworks – not just short-term wins,” they must first-and-foremost “move beyond politics and focus on nation-building laws,” contributed British Veterinary Centre LLC Human Resources and Accounts manager Hershilyn Laquian.

Civic and legal education from the ground up to the higher studies must be “institutionalised because people must understand why the laws matter, and how they benefit from following them. They will become capable in not voting into office aspirants for local to national public office who are unqualified, without leadership ability and integrity but win due to popularity, wealth, or dynastic influence.”

OpSider managing director Ailan Lapuz: “It is critical to focus legislative actions that will drive inclusive economic growth, improve social welfare, and foster domestic and foreign investor confidence, agricultural development, and health and universal coverage reform. These areas will yield tangible benefits for citizens and position the country forsustained development.”