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What's with Kabataan Partylist?
By: Monch Mikko E. Misagal
This article discusses some of the key legislative agenda of Kabataan Partylist, the only youth-based partylist in the Philippine Congress today.
KABATAAN PARTYLIST
Representative: Raymond V. Palatino
->Sectoral Representative
2nd Term
Rm. N-419, House of Representatives
Phone: 931-5001 local 7378, 9315504
REP. RAYMOND V. PALATINO
->Short Information:
*He was born on December 19, 1979 in Quezon City. He earned an education degree from the University of the Philippines-Diliman. He is married to Frances Bondoc Palatino, with children named Neil Esmond and Renee Elle. He is an activist, blogger, and parliamentarian.
(Source: wikipinas.org)
*As a student of UP Diliman, he was a member of the College of Education Student Council for the AY 1999-2000. In 2000 he was elected Chairman of the UP Diliman University Student Council (USC). From 2001 to 2003, he served as president of the National Union of Students of the Philippines (NUSP), the country's largest student alliance. In 2004 he was named as Outstanding Youth Leader for Advocacy on National Concerns by the United Nation Association of the Philippines. He has been a covenor for youth formations such as Education for All (e4all) Movement, Abolish ROTC, Tuition Refund, Youth Demanding Arroyo's Removal (Youth Dare), and Youth Action Network Against Electoral Fraud and Violence.
He is usually compared to Edgar Jopson, one of the most famous Filipino youth leaders ever been. Some actually say that aside from leadership qualities, he also has some of the physical attributes of Jopson.
->Committee Membership:
Youth and Sports Development, Vice-Chairperson
Basic Education and Culture, Member for the Majority
Dangerous Drugs, Member for the Majority
Globalization and WTO, Member for the Majority
Higher and Technical Education, Member for the Majority
Millennium Development Goals, Member for the Majority
Social Services, Member for the Majority
-> Background of Kabataan Partylist:
Kabataan Partylist is the first and only youth partylist group that has a representative in the 15th Congress of the Philippines. The partylist is a large network of pro-active young people, many of them are leaders in different organizations and formations. Its members have diverse interests, backgrounds and social status, but are united by a common vision of a brighter future for the youth and our country.
Some of its founding organizations are the National Union of Students of the Philippines (NUSP), College Editors Guild, League of Filipino Students (LFS), Student Christian Movement of the Philippines (SCMP), Anakbayan and Kabataang Artista para sa Tunay na Kalayaan. Through its various activities, it advocates the demands of our youth today.
It is involved in issues facing the youth today. It supports campaigns against “anti-student” tuition and miscellaneous fee increases. Some of its advocacies are for higher state subsidy for education, enough jobs for new graduates, and the recognition and defense of human rights and civil liberties. It continues to help in the promotion of holistic development and geniune youth empowerment.
->Key Legislative Agenda in the 15th Congress:
1. House Bill 807:
“An Act penalizing the imposition of a 'no permit, no exam' policy or any such policy that prohibits students from taking their periodic or final examinations due to unpaid tuition and other school fees”
2. House Bill 808:
“An Act amending Republic Act no. 7743, otherwise known as 'an act providing for the establishment of congressional, city and municipal libraries and barangay reading centers throughout the Philippines,' and for other purposes”
3. House Bill 1962:
“An Act effecively repealing the automatic appropriation for debt service and institutionalizing the automatic appropriation of six percent (6%) of the gross domestic product to public education sector spending by amending Section 31 of Presidential Decree no. 292, otherwise known as the 'Administrative Code of 1987' which reiterates in toto Section 31 of Presidential Decree no. 1177”
4. House Bill 1963:
“An Act to strengthen and reform the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK), amending for that purpose certain provisions of Republic Act no. 7160, otherwise known as 'The Local Government Code of 1991,' and for other purposes”
5. House Bill 2676:
“An Act prohibiting the use of polycarbon plastics, styrofoam and other synthetic materials harmful to the environment in all food service establishments in all educational institutions and for other purposes”
6. House Bill 3601:
“An Act declaring as unlawful the conduct of drug testing of students in public and private schools repealing for this purpose certain provisions of Republic Act 9165, otherwise known as the 'Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002'”
KABATAAN PARTYLIST’S KEY LEGISLATIVE AGENDA
1. House Bill 807: Penalizing “no permit, no exam” policy
2. House Bill 2676: Prohibiting the use of certain synthetic materials in all educational institutions
3. House Bill 3601: Prohibiting mandatory drug testing in both public and private schools
->Over-all analysis:
Kabataan Partylist, the sole representative of the Filipino youth in Philippines Congress today, is fighting for the betterment of the youth through its activities such as mass demonstrations and alliances with mass-based organizations. Having a pro-masses perspective, it promotes legislative agenda that would ease the burden of the youth today.
As we have seen, different people have different approaches and reactions regarding our social issues, particularly those affecting the youth. One's stand regarding an issue is affected by his beliefs in life. The three bills discussed here are practical issues but of significant importance because they affect our daily lives.
The “no permit, no exam” policy is evident in many private schools throughout our country. In this set-up, students must be able to pay their tuition fees to be able to get exam permits. Therefore, students with unpaid balances wouldn’t be able to take exams, and in some instances they can take special exams which are usually harder than regular periodic exams.
Styrofoam and other plastic materials are very convenient to use as food and drink containers. However, it is said that those materials are harmful to the environment and that there are environmental groups seeking to reduce the usage of those materials. House Bill 2676, if passed into law, would prohibit the usage of those materials in all educational institutions in our country.
Some of our schools impose mandatory drug testing on their students. In fact it is stipulated in the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act (Republic Act 9165). However Rep. Raymond Palatino has argued that this violates the students’ right to privacy.
->Analysis of the interviewees’ responses:
A. House Bill 807: Penalizing “no permit, no exam” policy
It is said that the “no permit, no exam” policy burdens students who cannot pay their fees on time. Those who agree with House Bill 807 believe that this can benefit the poor students because before periodic exams, they could concentrate on their studies rather than worry about their parents paying tuition fees. Consequently this would give both the rich and poor students equal chances to excel in their studies. Exams test students’ knowledge and not their ability to pay.
However those who are in favor of the “no permit, no exam” policy have various reasons for their stand. One reason is that this policy disciplines students to pay their tuition fees. Another is that if a private school student cannot afford high tuition fees, he is free to transfer to a public school. Furthermore, if students can take exams even without paying fees, there is a probability that they would not take these exams seriously.
B. House Bill 2676: Prohibiting the use of certain synthetic materials in all educational institutions
All of the interviewees agree that we must take steps in protecting our environment. Almost all of them agree that Styrofoam and other synthetic materials must be banned in all educational institutions except when they are used for academic purposes. It is said that preserving the environment starts at schools. If kids are to be taught how to care for our environment, they must be able to practice it, at least in schools. However one interviewee believes that educational campaigns are more effective than outrightly banning Styrofoam.
C. House Bill 3601: Prohibiting mandatory drug testing in both public and private schools
Those who agree on this bill have different reasons for taking this stand. One reason is that mandatory drug testing would instead encourage students to take drugs, as it would bring the use of illegal drugs to the spotlight. Another is that it is unnecessary, as it would show through one's actions if he is taking drugs. As many still have conservative views on illegal drugs, it is said that drug addiction is not yet widespread among the youth. It can also be considered discriminatory, since some schools with mandatory drug testing tend to impose sanctions on those found positive for drugs instead of counseling them.
Those who want mandatory drug testing to remain have similar reasons. One is that students taking drugs would be detected at an earlier age, discouraging them from being drug addicts when they grow up. It is better that those found positive for drugs would be counseled at an earlier age, enabling them to be productive citizens when they reach adulthood. An interviewee believes that mandatory drug testing would be beneficial only if the school would provide funds for this, so as not to burden the students.
SOURCES:
http://en.wikipilipinas.org/index.php?title=Mong_Palatino
http://www.congress.gov.ph/members/search.php?congress=15&id=palatino#
http://www.bulatlat.com/main/2009/06/25/raymond-mong-palatino-a-short-bio/
http://kabataanpartylist.com/about/
This article discusses some of the key legislative agenda of Kabataan Partylist, the only youth-based partylist in the Philippine Congress today.
KABATAAN PARTYLIST
Representative: Raymond V. Palatino
->Sectoral Representative
2nd Term
Rm. N-419, House of Representatives
Phone: 931-5001 local 7378, 9315504
REP. RAYMOND V. PALATINO
->Short Information:
*He was born on December 19, 1979 in Quezon City. He earned an education degree from the University of the Philippines-Diliman. He is married to Frances Bondoc Palatino, with children named Neil Esmond and Renee Elle. He is an activist, blogger, and parliamentarian.
(Source: wikipinas.org)
*As a student of UP Diliman, he was a member of the College of Education Student Council for the AY 1999-2000. In 2000 he was elected Chairman of the UP Diliman University Student Council (USC). From 2001 to 2003, he served as president of the National Union of Students of the Philippines (NUSP), the country's largest student alliance. In 2004 he was named as Outstanding Youth Leader for Advocacy on National Concerns by the United Nation Association of the Philippines. He has been a covenor for youth formations such as Education for All (e4all) Movement, Abolish ROTC, Tuition Refund, Youth Demanding Arroyo's Removal (Youth Dare), and Youth Action Network Against Electoral Fraud and Violence.
He is usually compared to Edgar Jopson, one of the most famous Filipino youth leaders ever been. Some actually say that aside from leadership qualities, he also has some of the physical attributes of Jopson.
->Committee Membership:
Youth and Sports Development, Vice-Chairperson
Basic Education and Culture, Member for the Majority
Dangerous Drugs, Member for the Majority
Globalization and WTO, Member for the Majority
Higher and Technical Education, Member for the Majority
Millennium Development Goals, Member for the Majority
Social Services, Member for the Majority
-> Background of Kabataan Partylist:
Kabataan Partylist is the first and only youth partylist group that has a representative in the 15th Congress of the Philippines. The partylist is a large network of pro-active young people, many of them are leaders in different organizations and formations. Its members have diverse interests, backgrounds and social status, but are united by a common vision of a brighter future for the youth and our country.
Some of its founding organizations are the National Union of Students of the Philippines (NUSP), College Editors Guild, League of Filipino Students (LFS), Student Christian Movement of the Philippines (SCMP), Anakbayan and Kabataang Artista para sa Tunay na Kalayaan. Through its various activities, it advocates the demands of our youth today.
It is involved in issues facing the youth today. It supports campaigns against “anti-student” tuition and miscellaneous fee increases. Some of its advocacies are for higher state subsidy for education, enough jobs for new graduates, and the recognition and defense of human rights and civil liberties. It continues to help in the promotion of holistic development and geniune youth empowerment.
->Key Legislative Agenda in the 15th Congress:
1. House Bill 807:
“An Act penalizing the imposition of a 'no permit, no exam' policy or any such policy that prohibits students from taking their periodic or final examinations due to unpaid tuition and other school fees”
2. House Bill 808:
“An Act amending Republic Act no. 7743, otherwise known as 'an act providing for the establishment of congressional, city and municipal libraries and barangay reading centers throughout the Philippines,' and for other purposes”
3. House Bill 1962:
“An Act effecively repealing the automatic appropriation for debt service and institutionalizing the automatic appropriation of six percent (6%) of the gross domestic product to public education sector spending by amending Section 31 of Presidential Decree no. 292, otherwise known as the 'Administrative Code of 1987' which reiterates in toto Section 31 of Presidential Decree no. 1177”
4. House Bill 1963:
“An Act to strengthen and reform the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK), amending for that purpose certain provisions of Republic Act no. 7160, otherwise known as 'The Local Government Code of 1991,' and for other purposes”
5. House Bill 2676:
“An Act prohibiting the use of polycarbon plastics, styrofoam and other synthetic materials harmful to the environment in all food service establishments in all educational institutions and for other purposes”
6. House Bill 3601:
“An Act declaring as unlawful the conduct of drug testing of students in public and private schools repealing for this purpose certain provisions of Republic Act 9165, otherwise known as the 'Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002'”
KABATAAN PARTYLIST’S KEY LEGISLATIVE AGENDA
1. House Bill 807: Penalizing “no permit, no exam” policy
2. House Bill 2676: Prohibiting the use of certain synthetic materials in all educational institutions
3. House Bill 3601: Prohibiting mandatory drug testing in both public and private schools
->Over-all analysis:
Kabataan Partylist, the sole representative of the Filipino youth in Philippines Congress today, is fighting for the betterment of the youth through its activities such as mass demonstrations and alliances with mass-based organizations. Having a pro-masses perspective, it promotes legislative agenda that would ease the burden of the youth today.
As we have seen, different people have different approaches and reactions regarding our social issues, particularly those affecting the youth. One's stand regarding an issue is affected by his beliefs in life. The three bills discussed here are practical issues but of significant importance because they affect our daily lives.
The “no permit, no exam” policy is evident in many private schools throughout our country. In this set-up, students must be able to pay their tuition fees to be able to get exam permits. Therefore, students with unpaid balances wouldn’t be able to take exams, and in some instances they can take special exams which are usually harder than regular periodic exams.
Styrofoam and other plastic materials are very convenient to use as food and drink containers. However, it is said that those materials are harmful to the environment and that there are environmental groups seeking to reduce the usage of those materials. House Bill 2676, if passed into law, would prohibit the usage of those materials in all educational institutions in our country.
Some of our schools impose mandatory drug testing on their students. In fact it is stipulated in the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act (Republic Act 9165). However Rep. Raymond Palatino has argued that this violates the students’ right to privacy.
->Analysis of the interviewees’ responses:
A. House Bill 807: Penalizing “no permit, no exam” policy
It is said that the “no permit, no exam” policy burdens students who cannot pay their fees on time. Those who agree with House Bill 807 believe that this can benefit the poor students because before periodic exams, they could concentrate on their studies rather than worry about their parents paying tuition fees. Consequently this would give both the rich and poor students equal chances to excel in their studies. Exams test students’ knowledge and not their ability to pay.
However those who are in favor of the “no permit, no exam” policy have various reasons for their stand. One reason is that this policy disciplines students to pay their tuition fees. Another is that if a private school student cannot afford high tuition fees, he is free to transfer to a public school. Furthermore, if students can take exams even without paying fees, there is a probability that they would not take these exams seriously.
B. House Bill 2676: Prohibiting the use of certain synthetic materials in all educational institutions
All of the interviewees agree that we must take steps in protecting our environment. Almost all of them agree that Styrofoam and other synthetic materials must be banned in all educational institutions except when they are used for academic purposes. It is said that preserving the environment starts at schools. If kids are to be taught how to care for our environment, they must be able to practice it, at least in schools. However one interviewee believes that educational campaigns are more effective than outrightly banning Styrofoam.
C. House Bill 3601: Prohibiting mandatory drug testing in both public and private schools
Those who agree on this bill have different reasons for taking this stand. One reason is that mandatory drug testing would instead encourage students to take drugs, as it would bring the use of illegal drugs to the spotlight. Another is that it is unnecessary, as it would show through one's actions if he is taking drugs. As many still have conservative views on illegal drugs, it is said that drug addiction is not yet widespread among the youth. It can also be considered discriminatory, since some schools with mandatory drug testing tend to impose sanctions on those found positive for drugs instead of counseling them.
Those who want mandatory drug testing to remain have similar reasons. One is that students taking drugs would be detected at an earlier age, discouraging them from being drug addicts when they grow up. It is better that those found positive for drugs would be counseled at an earlier age, enabling them to be productive citizens when they reach adulthood. An interviewee believes that mandatory drug testing would be beneficial only if the school would provide funds for this, so as not to burden the students.
SOURCES:
http://en.wikipilipinas.org/index.php?title=Mong_Palatino
http://www.congress.gov.ph/members/search.php?congress=15&id=palatino#
http://www.bulatlat.com/main/2009/06/25/raymond-mong-palatino-a-short-bio/
http://kabataanpartylist.com/about/