EDITORIAL - Diploma mills

These counterfeiters are enterprising individuals who are simply meeting a continuing demand. But if the government wants to maintain the competitiveness of the country’s workforce and guarantee the integrity of official documents, it must launch a sustained crackdown on the gangs churning out fake documents, including college diplomas and government papers, in Manila’s University Belt.

The other day the Manila police once again conducted a sweep of stalls on C.M. Recto Avenue where the counterfeiters operate. Seven suspects were arrested and printing paraphernalia seized. The gangs operate out of hole-in-the-wall shops; some are brazen enough to rent space in bigger stores.

There are a number of diploma mills in this country, but even the substandard education they offer does not come cheap. Those who want a cheaper college "degree" ASAP, or who can’t manage to graduate even from the diploma mills, go to Manila’s counterfeiters, who can churn out diplomas for everything from hairdressing to engineering and law. Some Filipinos enroll in a university for about a year, then buy a diploma for the course they enrolled in from the counterfeiters and apply for work overseas. A number of overseas Filipino workers have found themselves in trouble after being found out by employers.

It’s not just diplomas but also government documents that are faked by the syndicates. Police said the counterfeiters resume operations as soon as the raids are over. This can be remedied by punishing the owners of establishments whose premises are used for counterfeiting operations. Businessmen who allow their establishments to be used for illegal activities can be penalized by City Hall and face criminal prosecution.

Recent reports said some employers overseas have complained about the fake qualifications of Filipino workers. This trend cannot continue, especially with growing competition for jobs overseas among workers from developing countries. It’s bad enough that Filipino workers are losing one of their biggest advantages – English proficiency. The Philippine workforce is also losing its competitive edge due to the deteriorating quality of education. The government must make sure fake diplomas are not added to the shortcomings of the Filipino worker.