fb.com/ujp.updiliman | Ikalawang Semestre, T.A. 2014-2015 | Isyu Blg. 13 | Martes, Mayo 5, 2015 | twitter.com/ujp_up COLLECTIVE ACTION. Labor groups and other sectors stormed the streets of Manila as they call for a P16,000 national minimum wage and justice for neglected workers.
Photo by DAVID TRISTAN YUMOL
May the force be with the youth Youth groups slam educ policies on Labor Day
by KEILAH DIMPAS and HAZEL LOBRES
THOUSANDS OF RED-CLAD PEOPLE RODE jeepneys with banners to the streets of Manila, fists raised and flags held up high, demanding the revamp of Filipino workers’ conditions in the country and abroad. The 10,000-strong crowd gathered at Liwasang Bonifacio to call for the increase of the national minimum wage to P16,000 monthly, and swift justice and accountability for overseas Filipino worker (OFW) Mary Jane Veloso’s case. Youth alliances, including Youth Act Now, Young Cwhristian Workers of the Philippines and students from various universities, thickened the mob of private and public employees in the All Workers’ Unity for Labor Day, May 1. They also called for educational reforms that affect students’ future labor conditions. Drained dropout Jhoannalyn Baltazar, 18, dropped out of college two years before going on stage and receiving her diploma. The lack of drive
to study and her finances pushed her to working as a call center agent instead. “Nakakapagod siya, nakakadrain rin ng utak,” Baltazar said, “pero wala ka namang makitang ibang trabaho dahil wala kang diploma na mapapakita.” Baltazar is just one of the thousands of students who, even with the regular educational system, opted to drop out and start getting half-baked jobs instead. Dropout rates have consistently increased since 2007, according to the Department of Education (DepEd). In 2013, 126,368 public school students dropped out of the elementary level, while 236, 222 have discontinued their studies in the secondary level. Only 23 out 43 high school graduates enroll in college, and just 14 of these enrollees graduate.
Baltazar also noted that the new K to 12 educational system will not benefit those who do not have enough money for the two additional school years and will be more tempting for the students to leave school. The K-12 Program will extend the span basic education from 10 years to 12 to provide students enough time to master concepts and skills. It offers four tracks for students: academic, technical-vocational-livelihood, sports, and arts and design. “Mas nakaka-tempt na wag naring magcollege dahil pwede ka ng magtrabaho after nung highschool mo,” Baltazar said, “pero yun nga lang, anong klaseng trabaho?” One way ticket to the world? With the recent approval of the K-12 system, several groups and lawmakers have lobbied for its suspension and, instead, demanded for better educational facilities in the country. “Nasa side kami ng gustong i-suspend ang
K-12, dahil ang ating pamahalaan ay walang kahandaan,” said Luzviminda De Vera, member of the Board of Directors of Quezon City Public Schools Teachers Association (QCPSTA). She said the lack of facilities, school buildings and teachers should first be addressed before going full-force with the K-12. De Vera also said the main reason behind the implementation of this system is labor export because most of the skills being honed in K-12 are designed for employment abroad, such as housekeeping. Low or the lack of educational attainment, combined with the poor working conditions in the country, leave Filipinos no choice but to work abroad instead - as per the case of the recently reprieved Mary Jane Veloso and thousands of other OFWs. Valdez said one of the reasons why Veloso went abroad is because of her low educational attainment. “Yung commercialized education, yun yung
nagtutulak sa ating mga kababayan na hindi na mag-aral at mag-abroad na lamang,” she added, “at dahil doon nabibiktima sila. salat sila sa edukasyon.” The odds may be in our favor For first timer Lance Espejo, a student in the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman, he believes the sincerity of intentions and a hunger for change can enable anyone, even students like him, to fight problems with the workers. “Ilang taon na lamang, papasok na tayo sa labor force, at mararanasan rin natin ang mga nararanasan ng mga manggagawa,” said UP Diliman student Jag San Mateo, “dapat na nating intindihin ang sitwasyon mga manggagawa sa bansa at sa buong mundo.” As the saying goes, the youth is the hope of the nation. And as long as the youth is critical, empowered, and armored with courage, the nation will never slave in darkness and in fear.