Cebu, 10 other cities back full K to 12 implementation

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City is among 11 cities in the Philippines that expressed full support for the “effective and successful” implementation of the K to 12 program in 2016.

The program will add two years to the basic education system.

During his regular press conference yesterday, Mayor Michael Rama said the national government has recognized Cebu City last July 24.

“We were given recognition didto. We accepted the challenge (of implementing the program). We were given recognition that we are likely to succeed in view of our P50 million coming from the SEF (special education) and lot acquisition that we will be pursuing under general funds (for the schools),” Rama said.

He said the cities collaborated with the League of Cities of the Philippines in expressing its “full and unwavering” support to the educational program.

Aside from Rama, the other mayors who committed to support the program are LCP national president Mayor Herbert Bautista (Quezon City), LCP national chairman Mayor Oscar Moreno (Cagayan de Oro), LCP secretary-general Mayor Del De Guzman (Marikina), LCP Vice President for Mindanao Mayor Evelyn Uy (Dipolog), LCP Public relations officer Mayor Belen Fernandez (Dagupan), LCP Deputy PRO Mayor Arlene Arcillas (Santa Rosa), LCP Region VI Representative Mayor Agustin Ernesto Bascon (Himamaylan), LCP Women’s Representative Mayor Sally Ante-Lee (Sorsogon), Mayor Allan Rellon (Tagum), and Mayor Stephany Uy-Tan (Catbalogan).

All of the mayors signed the Statement of Support advertisement published in The Philippine STAR in May.

“In spite of some of the apprehensions expressed by certain quarters, the League of Cities of the Philippines, after careful deliberation on the matter, expresses its full and unwavering support to the K to 12 program implemented by the national government through the Department of Education,” the statement reads.

Next year, all schools in the country are expected to adopt the senior high school levels.

LCP believes that the full implementation of the program will be a significant part in reforming the country’s educational system.

While admitting that the program will be costly, the cities are “confident that senior high school is critical for enhancing the capacity of young learners to make informed life and career choices.”

“Cities across the country are fully committed to work with the national government for the effective and successful implementation of the program. Cities choose to be part of the solution and we will be glad to welcome more partners in this process,” the statement reads further.

“We will never know when the country will be ready for a major education reform unless we do it now. Let us use this opportunity to participate and work towards broadening the access to quality basic education through K to 12 and senior high school,” it adds.

“Ang kanang 10 cities (11 including Quezon City) considered nga pilot. After that, naa poy mosulod that they would like to be enlisted,” Rama said.  (FREEMAN)