 | ||
|
"Mula Tore Patungong Palengke" Book Launch Posted: 08/27/07 Heavy rains and power outtages just can't stop this event from pushing through. The Forum-Book Launch of "Mula Tore Patungong Palengke: Neo-liberal Education in the Philippines" last June 26, 2007 at the Claro M. Recto Hall of the University of the Philippines Diliman was still a success. Due to the unexpected strong rains even before the event began, the launch was filled with several-minute brownouts in its first hour. However, the organizers were determined to go on and just made use of things that were handy like emergency lights to brighten the place. Eventually, as the program was going on, the power came back and brought things back to normal. The speakers who presented their pieces from the said book were Dr. Edberto Villegas, Former Chairperson of the Department of Social Science of UP Manila and Vice President of the ALL UP Academic Union, Prof. Danilo A. Arao of the College of Mass Communication, Prof. Sarah Raymundo, CONTEND Secretary General and Assistant Professor of the UP Sociology Department, Ms. Jonabelle Asis, an instructor of the UP Sociology Department, Dr. Giovanni Tapang, President of AGHAM and Assistant Professor of the UP National Institute of Physics, and Mr. Clodualdo "Buboy" Cabrera, President of the All UP Workers Union. Dr. Villegas talked about the scope and dominance of liberalism and neo-liberalism theories in his article "Ang Paghuhubad sa Pagkukunwari ng mga Taong Maka-demokrasya: Ang Mga Anyo ng Liberalismo at Bagong Liberalismo sa Kasalukuyan." These concepts, according to him, just tolerates the abuse of the bourgeoisie and imperialist classes all over the world. Another speaker, Prof. Arao, pointed out actions by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the government regarding the implementation of educational policies in his contribution, "Deregulation at the Expense of Quality Education" . He mentioned the Higher Education Modernization Act of 1997 that empowers boards of regents or trustees of State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) to fix tuition and other fees, and educational institutions being "internationalized" to attract foreign students. Prof. Arao also added that corporatization and commercialization of tertiary colleges is now going on and that this "goes against an educational system and culture that is nationalist, scientific, and mass-oriented". Prof. Raymundo's statement on "A Symptom Called Marketization" was explained by saying that the usage of the word "symptom" means "may mas malalim na nagaganap" (something deeper is going on) in the issues regarding Tuition and Other Fee Increases (TOFI). In another article, "Ang Irasyonalidad sa Rasyonalisasyon" by Ms. Asis, the rationalization efforts in tertiary education are discussed. She stated 3 Directions of Rationalization namely reducing SUCs through mergers or privatization, minimizing program replication between private and public higher education institutions, and optimizing the use of limited resources. She also explained why the Philippines is under the trend of globalization. "Yung pera na inutang natin supposedly para paunlarin ang ating ekonomiya, may kapalit yun na mga partikular na polisiya at doon pumapaloob yung mga neo-liberal policies like privatization, deregulation, and liberalization," she said. Ms. Asis also stated that SUCs are now biased towards the rich and are not geared towards serving the poor. Dr. Tapang discussed the challenges being faced by the field of science and technology in the Philippines which he calls underdeveloped. He emphasized the lack of basic industries in the country. "Walang kahit anong industry to speak of na pagmamay-ari ng Pilipino na nagpro-produce ng pangangailangan ng mamamayan para sa domestic na kagamitan," he said. The Philippines is under too much foreign influence that science and technology remains stunted and dependent on them. On the other hand, Mr. Cabrera's article, "Ang Pribatisasyon ng Unibersidad ng Pilipinas", discussed the plight of the employees of the State University. He spoke about several issues of their concern like contractualization, low salaries with almost no benefits, and dislocation of workers in unfamiliar jobs, among others. He said that all these have happened as part of the university's efforts to trim down costs. After the book launch and discussion, an open forum followed afterwards. Copies of the book were given to the parents of Karen Empeño and Sherlyn Cadapan, the two missing student activists. AGHAM also delivered an intermission number with songs that very much talk about pressing issues like "Change Things" and "We Got to Go". | ||
Copyright © 2007 / Patricia Ann C. Roque