Cayetano: Abolish K-12, push for new local gov’t code, rural dev’t plan

Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano, in his "Kontra State of the Nation Address" (Sona) speech on Tuesday, proposed reforms that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. did not cover in his Sona the day prior. In the realm of education, Cayetano sought the abolition of the K-12 curriculum. He cited data from the Second Congressional Commission on Education, indicating that graduates do not possess sufficient knowledge and skills for real-world application. Cayetano argued that the current curriculum has caused confusion within the Philippine education system and urged for consideration of more effective alternatives. Furthermore, he called for the creation of new codes to strengthen local governance and promote rural development. He expressed the view that amending the current Local Government Code to expand the powers and financial resources of local government units would foster development tailored to regional realities. He also emphasized the need for a comprehensive plan aimed at poverty reduction and economic revitalization in rural areas. These proposals represent Cayetano's potential solutions to challenges such as declining educational quality and regional disparities faced by the Philippines. They could potentially influence future congressional debates and government policy decisions.