Mr. President, I think the education cut is a major, major mistake!

Ms. eileenleyva, forgive me if I go opposite against the tide here. The truth is: PNoy has not done an education cut. In fact, he increased the education budget from 1.54 trillion pesos to 1.65 trillion pesos. The States and University Colleges have a total of more than 19 billion pesos at the end of 2009 that SUCs could and should use. The average SUC has more than 65 billion pesos in cash advances, equal to 41.3% of expenditures. The largest beneficiary is UP which hauled in a total of 11 billion pesos - and they are the noisiest in the rowdy bunch of demonstrators! What PNoy is doing is to prioritize the budget so the money will pour in to those that needed the most education, the students that were neglected for such a long time now which are the public primary and secondary schools. These students, unlike the takaw-gulo state college students belonging to LFS and other leftist organizations - dont stage demonstrations and rallies. Even the leftist organizations, the very same people that is claiming to champion the causes of the poor - neglected them for so many years in favor of the activist state college students that are just against any Presidents no matter what he/she implements.

Hiya eileen, Afraid this is happening here too and on top of that no one seems to care really. But really I think the ordinary People care because that´s part of what they go out to work for to pay for their Children´s Education and to see it all go down the Drain is disheartening to say the least. On the News there is far more bad News than News about progress in Education. Older People who will want to go back to Classes to learn how to read and write are going to be stumped out at the Wicket with this Government I´m afraid. Still maybe there is a light at the end of the Tunnel let´s hope so.

I do not know all the specifics of your situation, but your post brings a couple of thoughts to mind. First of all, students, especially students threatening violence, should have no say in how the education budget is handled. The rebellion of youth is no solution to real world issues. Secondly, if your country is anyting like the US, the education system continues to consume more money, year after year. Yet, the quality of education does not improve. It is time to forget more money and focus on improving education, which is a very hard task, apparently.

i know, our education system is already suffering and yet its budget has to be cut down, i do not think it is right. Still it is a worry if President would give the right budget, the question will it be allocated correctly? would it reach the people? the public? or would just end up in the pocket of corrupt officials...

Yeah...I saw it in tv like 2 days ago? They all went on a protest...let's just pray for our country =(

I agree that the budget for education should not be cut, however, a clear account of where the budget will be used must be given otherwise it would be open to corruption. It should have been the responsibility of the ones preparing the budget for education.

Hello Eileen, I strongly believed President Noy here is entitled to explain us in complete detail on which part of education that should need cutting since the impact on the students weren't so great at all.. I don't believe they are bogus either since they are in uniforms. I am thinking of a poor and wrongly decision on this manner, he owes us explanation. too bad i think his popularity is beginning to sink in although i can't really judge it yet, maybe it could turn out something good or not.

"Damn if you do, damn if you don't" I guess this is what the president is feeling right now. Before the budget cut, I'm sure his think tanks must have deliberated everything since this is a sensitive issue. I guess it's really up to what's in his priority list. Before he cuts back on every department's budget, he should get rid of corruption first because if there's no corruption, there'll be no need to cut back since there will be more than enough left in every department.

I feel the same way. We can cut other things like armed forces funding, road works, even pork of the senate, but not education. Education is so important for a brighter future. Hope he can clean up his mind and do what is right.

Yeah I understand what points and ideology they are fighting for and we must glad that those students have courage and sacrifices to do such action. But I have small doubt that those students fighting and shouting are true students or thay are all bugus to make noise.. why I said that because whoever sit as president may be same students are shouting in the street shouting for something from the past to the present. what do you think? see you around

I definitely agree! It should be the other way around, instead of cutting the educational budget, you should proceed in increasing it. How come that come about? Who made the decision that not only would not endear you to the younger generation; but endangered your position as you once, twice told the Filipino people that we are your "Boss". Isn't it like cutting the slogan of what Dr. Jose Rizal into shredded pieces? Education should be your administrations priority, second to Economy.

I agree with you since education is always the one of those departments which seems to be constantly lacking in money. How can a country improve its future when people aren't educated? We are already facing an educational crisis - the quality and quantity of education in this country. Expectations are already too high for students even if there are still in school, much worse if there are already out in the workforce. And most of the population can't even finish basic education. What future does this county have?

I agree with you madam. For me education should have enough budget because it is one of the basic services that a government should be focused on. Education is very important among Filipinos. It can lower the rate of criminal acts. Anyway, We are still hopeful that by next few years the President will realize how education is important among Filipinos and budget for education will be prioritized.