Footloose

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines "cha-cha" as a "fast rhythmic ballroom dance." Further research discloses that "some teachers count the cha-cha movement as, ‘slow, slow, quick-quick, slow’, but this can be confusing to the beginner."

One look at the situation surrounding the proposed Charter change (more popularly known as Cha-cha), will lead to the conclusion that the move is appropriately nicknamed. With all the politicking, intrigue and controversy that has characterized the campaign to have the Constitution altered, Cha-cha does somewhat resemble the shifting beat and rhythm of the dance it shares its name with. To try and follow it, much less figure out and understand it, is confusing.

Like a competition of the eponymous dance, the Cha-cha involves participants engaged in a contest of give- and- take, with all involved taking their chances to show off their skills in hope of glory. In this case, with performers including business groups, NGO’s, OFW’s, etc., the star attractions are the Administration and Opposition. Driven by policy, public opinion and ambition, the political arena and media serve as their stage, with every move designed for maximum impact. The nation at large, not to mention our regional neighbors, and by extension, the entire world, is their audience. As everyone involved collectively holds their breath to see what happens, they are fully aware that the stakes are high, with the prize being no less than control of the future of the Philippines. Now who says social dance is boring?

Cha-cha was proposed for the purpose of transforming our current bicameral congress into a Parliament, thereby shifting our govern-mental system into one more resembling the British than American model. The proposed bill has, naturally, met fierce resistance from the opposition on grounds of legality and questions of motive. The Opposition’s stance, while initially curious, – filibusterism for the sake of filibusterism – becomes clear when one realizes that the abolition of Congress, and the Senate in particular, would render the majority of them unemployed, robbing them of their allotment of discretionary funds and numerous perks.

Last month, the opposition protested the plebiscite called for by the People’s Initiative, a signature drive started in support of Cha-cha, stating that the 2 billion pesos required were not a part of this year’s budget. They forgot to mention that the Senate’s preferred method of Charter Change, a Constitutional Convention (Con-Con), would cost P8 billion, and require an additional P2 billion for a ratifying plebiscite. A significant percentage of signatures came from these opposition members’ own districts and provinces.

The Administration says that the time for Cha-cha is now, to free us of the shackles forged from a political culture comprised of corruption, nepotism, endless debates, politicking and photo opportunities. Much of the bureaucratic red tape associated with legislation in this country would be done away with under a Parliamentary system, enabling our lawmakers a chance to actually, finally live up to their job descriptions. This would also make up for last year’s embarrassing record of the Senate spending P6 billion to create a total of – tadaa ! – seven laws!

Another anticipated – and highly debated – aspect of the proposed Cha-cha is the easing, or doing away with, restrictions on foreign businesses in the Philippines.The entry of investors in our country would enable the creation of a stable infrastructure to promote economic growth. As unemployment has remained at a steady 10-11 per cent over the past 10 years, and one out of three Filipinos currently lives in makeshift shacks or hovels, it would be imprudent, even reckless, to ignore the jobs and opportunities this Cha-cha has the potential to generate.

Those who would denounce the amendments allowing the entry of foreign capital into the Philippines would do well to take a look at so-called formerly "backward" countries that are currently reaping the benefits of economic gains borne of Constitutions that not only permit, but encourage, foreign investment. China and Vietnam are but two examples.

The Opposition thinks it has the right idea, putting its time, money and legislative efforts into blocking Cha-cha every step of the way. However, the group’s efforts seem to be in vain, as the People’s Initiative gets closer and closer to being legally recognized. If the next few months are going to be anything like the ones that preceded them, at least in the area of growing public support for Cha-cha, it will be clear to the members of the opposition that they were dancing to the wrong tune all along. Cha-cha is imminent. The question they should be asking themselves now is whether or not it’s too late to try and get a new dance card.

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EDUCATION FOR PROGRESS. Mona Dumlao Valisno, Under-secretary, Office of the President, told a recent symposium of the Fellows of the Asia Foundation (FELTAP) of a scenario drawn by education analysts conjuring up "images of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse." That not-so-happy picture is drawn from the way our system of education has "remained stagnant despite numerous diagnostic studies, policy and program reforms, and increased budget allocation."

Rather than focusing on the often-repeated question of what went wrong, Mona underscored "what needs to be done, emphasizing urgency in a rapidly evolving world where time certainly waits for no one."

"As technology-advance countries continue to move away from an industrial-based economy to a knowledge-based one, the role of education is becoming increasingly important," she said.

In essence, Mona said, the purpose of education in order to be relevant "is to produce individuals who are creative, analytical, and innovative, who can make a difference in the arena that is the whole world. The need to match supply and demand of quality and high-tech manpower services is crucial; it is imperative of educational and training programs to march in step with global standards of excellence geared towards the delivery of high-tech and high-value services."

Education policies should therefore include a curriculum that is more innovative to enhance the development of the capacity or critical and analytical thinking to provide well-educated, highly skilled and strongly motivated professionals and labor force as to produce responsible citizens with high moral and ethical values.

"We have to accept that the knowledge-based concept that is running global economies demands re-inventing or re-engineering our curriculums as ICT becomes increasingly institutionalized as a channel for increasing the technological literacy of our society," Mona said.

Under the Macapagal Administration, she continued, ICT is a top priority so that 69 per cent of 3,334 of our 4,830 public secondary schools in the country have been equipped with computer access, 434 of which have Internet access and 513 have networked personal computers, in line with the Administration’s continuing program to raise the level of ICT knowledge and enhance school learning equipment.

Teachers therefore must assume the role of educators as "Providers of Knowledge, Managers of Learning, and Role Modeling." And like the new breed of educators, students should be taught to learn, develop and appreciate values that influence or teach them "to live in harmony amidst diversity, and with the ethical anchors which must guide their thinking and acting."

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