LET'S commend Bacolod City Lone District Rep. Greg Gasataya for batting for the accreditation of the Bacolod City College's to enable its 4,000 students to avail of free tuition provided under Republic Act 10931 or Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act.
Especially since President Rodrigo Duterte admitted the other day that he signed the law granting free tuition in state-run universities, colleges, and technical-vocational schools while fully aware of funding concerns. "Kasi ang pag-approve ng Congress, alam naman nila walang pera. Eh pagdating sa akin alam ko man na walang pera."
Duterte signed into law providing free tuition for students that include those studying at the Negros Oriental State University, Carlos Hilado Memorial State College, Northern Negros State College of Science and Technology, and the Central Philippines State University, and their satellite campuses.
Gasataya acknowledged that he's "one of the authors of this bill" which he now acts as vice chair of the committee on higher technical education.
He thanked the President for signing RA 10931 law which "is not just a pro-poor education measure, but an investment in the future of our nation." Duterte agrees that the long-term benefits that free tuition will give to the public.
Greg says realignments will have to be made to fund the free tuition law. Bacoleños, especially the poor and the parents of BCC, understandably will expect him to deliver. This will be his litmus test.
The ball is now back to our legislative branch in coming up with the 2018 national budget that can assure both the millennials and their parents of free college education.
Can Bacoleños expect Greg to bring home the promised bacon of quality tertiary education for underprivileged teens and assure a promise of quality human resources for Bacolod's future development?
Can we all collectively cry, "Hip hip hooray" for Bacolod's hero?
Or "Boo" if he ends up a zero? Long on promise, short on delivery?
(bsanc@yahoo.com)
