MANILA, Philippines —  A joint resolution creating a Congressional Oversight Committee on Education that would review, assess, and evaluate the current status of Philippine education has been filed in the Senate.

Sen. Edgardo Angara filed Senate Joint Resolution No. 6, a revised take on a similar resolution passed in 1990 that created the Congressional Committee on Education or EDCOM.

The oversight committee would be composed of five members from the Senate and five from the House of Representatives. 

The Committee’s thrust would be to direct and harmonize the policies and programs of the Department of Education (DepEd), Technical Education, Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) — three existing education agencies — and align them with national development plans.

The resolution also aims to address the continuing woes in the country’s education system such as the heavy shortage of teachers and classrooms resulting in an imbalanced student-teacher ratio in schools. (Hannah Torregoza)

Congress inquiry on net services
A congressional inquiry that would look into the alleged sub-standard commercial broadband Internet services in the country has been sought in the House of Representatives.

Kabataan party-list Rep. Raymund Palatino filed House Resolution No. 407 which seeks for a probe on the quality of broadband Internet services rendered by local commercial telecommunication companies.

Palatino said the scheme of telecommunication companies, which charges consumers with exorbitant rates for net access despite limited coverage of broadband services and slow Internet speed, have been unjust.

"Most of the promos, packages, and features being advertised by broadband providers are deceptive. Thousands of Filipino internet users complain of sub-standard services, slow Internet speed, limited coverage, unfair fees, and hidden charges," Palatino said.

"When frustrated Filipino Internet users opt out of such substandard services, they are often virtually penalized by telecommunication companies through the imposition of exorbitant pre-termination fees," he added. (Rio Rose Ribaya)

Carita Manila marks 57th aniversary
Caritas Manila, the social action arm of the Archdiocese of Manila, marks its 57th anniversary this Saturday with a mass to be celebrated by Manila Archbishop Gaudencio B. Cardinal Rosales at the Cuneta Astrodome on Roxas Blvd., Pasay City.

The Cardinal will lead the commissioning of more than 3,000 volunteers during the event. 

Caritas Manila will also officially welcome its partnership with the Meralco Bolts, the newest basketball team in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).

“Caritas Manila has been selected as a beneficiary of Meralco’s sports advocacy program in support of the youth,” said Caritas Manila executive director, Fr. Anton Pascual, who welcomed the initiative as the agency hopes to strengthen its scholarship program for the youth this year.

“We are in need of more funds to be able to offer more educational opportunities to poor but deserving students from elementary to college.”

Pascual said special focus will be given this year to its flagship program, the Youth Servant Leadership and Education Program (YSLEP). “We need to develop our youth to be educated and with the right mind-set and moral upbringing. This is what we are trying to do in Caritas Manila through the YSLEP.” (Christina I. Hermoso)