Bro. Jun Erguiza Jr. FSC, chair of the Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations (Cocopea), said members wanted to talk about funding for schools since 70% of tuition goes to salaries of staff and personnel.
But as it turned out, only Liberal Party’s (LP) Manuel “Mar” Roxas II made it to the event. Vice President Jejomar Binay sent a representative — Tomas Lopez, a former president of the University of Makati.
Related: Roxas, Robredo met with protest in first sortie in MM
Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano was supposed to stand for Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, but cancelled at the last minute.
Sens. Grace Poe and Miriam Defensor-Santiago were a no-show and had sent no representatives.
Taking his cue from the situation, Roxas quipped that his father taught him “that the first requisite of a successful life is to show up.”
He then presented his platforms: granting scholarship for valedictorian graduates, improving school infrastructure, better quality of college education — and staying committed to the K-to-12 transition program.
The administration’s presidential bet also pledged improving training and discipline among private school teachers.
Roxas touted the reforms under the Aquino administration, like the construction of more than 100,000 classrooms.
He mentioned a proposal to increase the salary of public school teachers by P20,000 per year. The salary of private school teachers was a different matter, Roxas explained.
Roxas was also asked if it was possible to grant tax exemptions to teachers and to increase the salary for teachers in private schools. But Roxas says it would be better to talk about that after the elections.
Related: Ex-MRT chief tags Roxas, other DOTC execs in contract deal mess
After the event, Roxas was asked about a statement by a former Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) general manager, Al Vitangcol III, linking him to a maintenance contract mess. To which Roxas simply replied, “I will look into it.”
CNN Philippines’ Patricia de Leon contributed to this report.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Heads of private schools wanted to meet with presidential candidates in a forum in Quezon City on Thursday (February 18), hoping to discuss the future of private education in the country.
