DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental—Vice President Jejomar Binay on Wednesday vowed to increase the budget of state universities and colleges and boost the scholarship fund.
“The best social equalizer is education,” said Binay in a forum attended by some 2,000 students of Negros Oriental State University (NORSU), the lone state university of the province with a student population of about 30,000.
He cited the case of the University of Makati (UMak), which is subsidized by the local government with an annual budget of P500 million.
Under his administration, he said graduates of the former Makati Polytechnic Community College all found employment as a result of the continued dialogue between the city government and the private sector.
“You should not stop studying. Learning must be a continuous process. There is no room for mediocrity today. You must be outstanding,” Binay told the students.
The Vice President was on a four-day sortie in Negros Oriental which ended on Friday.
He went to the towns of Bacong, Dauin, Zamboanguita, Siaton, Sta. Catalina; the municipalities of Sibulan, San Jose, Amlan, Manjuyod, Bindoy, Ayungon, Tayasan, Jimalalud, and Vallehermoso; and the cities of Tanjay, Bais, Guihulngan and Dumaguete.
During the forum, Binay received the loudest applause when he said he would see to it that free Wi-Fi would be available in the country if elected President.
He said his dream was to see a computer in every household.
When asked about his accomplishments as Vice President, he said he was a “working vice president” when he was chair of the National Housing Authority, which successfully implemented socialized housing in the country and Pag-Ibig, which became the most outstanding government agency during his time.
Binay was also the presidential adviser for overseas Filipino workers.
“I am proud to say that I have performed these jobs well,” Binay said.
He also encouraged students to check out his track record and to make sure to cast their votes in the coming elections.
“This is how you participate in the running of the government,” Binay said.