House OKs K-12 program on final reading

House of Representatives. RYAN LEAGOGO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives on Monday approved on third and final reading the bill on the controversial K-12 education program.

A total of 198 lawmakers voted for the passage of House Bill 6643 or the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2012 while eight lawmakers voted against it, according to the House secretariat.

Among the lawmakers who voted against the approval of the bill were Bayan Muna Representatives Teddy Casino and Neri Colmenares, Gabriela Representatives Emmi de Jesus and Luz Ilagan, Anakpawis Representative Rafael Mariano, Kabataan Representative Raymond Palatino and ACT Teachers Representative Antonio Tinio.

The lawmakers who voted against the approval of the bill were Davao Oriental Representative Thelma Almario, Bayan Muna Partylist Representatives Teddy Casino and Neri Colmenares, Gabriela Partylist Representatives Emmi de Jesus and Luz Ilagan, Anakpawis Partylist Representative Rafael Mariano, Kabataan Partylist Representative Raymond Palatino and ACT Teachers Partylist Representative Antonio Tinio.

The approval on third reading of HB 6643 places the recently implemented basic education system closer to securing an enabling law. The K-12 program started last June and was designed to add two more years to the country’s 10-year basic education program.

Despite being eyed to produce graduates equipped with a better set of skills to readily enter the workforce, Ilagan maintained that with a budget short by P42 billion, the K-12 program would only result in disaster.