Some two hundred representatives from 4 state colleges and universities (SUCs) in region 7 joined the seminar on constitutional reform hosted by Cebu Technological University (CTU) on Monday, April,10.
Student leaders and faculty collaborate to process information on the reform’s relevance to higher education, peace and development.
Peoples’ Initiative for Federalism (PIF) Visayas Coordinator Julito F. Roco, who was the first speaker, elaborated on the concepts and models of federalism and the need to adopt such a form of government.
His encouragement centered on learning more about the kind of society that necessitates a particular change. Key personalities from CHED and DILG also shared their perspectives on federalism.
Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Commissioner Alex Brillantes discussed about the impact of federalism on public higher education.
He believed that “federalism on higher education should not just mean letting states adopt their own reforms … but reforming the existing federal role so that it is less inflationary and less anti-competitive.”
DILG Task Team on Federalism Assistant Program Manager Gerald “Dindi” Tan also spoke of federalism in the Philippines as the next logical step for real change.
As a means of evaluating the readiness of participants to embrace federalism,the committee distributed questionnaires after salient points on the issue were laid down.
PASUC President Ricardo Rotoras, CTU President Rosein A. Ancheta Jr., CNU and LNU presidents were at Bayfront Hotel to support the crucial talk on the country’s potential transition to federalism.
The event was co-sponsored by the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC), Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG). Kezia Mae Laureno/UPO Contributor