Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano on Monday intensified his call for the government to clarify its education targets, demanding a decisive choice on the full implementation and funding of the K to 12 program.
Speaking on the National Education and Workforce Development Plan 2026-2035 (Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 8) which includes the recommendations of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2), Cayetano supported the ten-year framework but identified the unresolved status of the K to 12 as the “big elephant in the room.”
“Mr. President, I rise today to put this on record. Maganda ang 10-year plan, I support it. Maganda po ang findings ng EDCOM 2 – y’ung first, second, and third publications. But the big elephant in the room is if we decide to fully fund it (K to 12),” the Minority Leader said.
“Baka naman po y’ung tinatarget natin sa K to 12 ay target ng USA, ng Europe, at ng Japan. Pero sa Pilipinas, kailangan natin linawin ang ating target,” he urged.
Citing the EDCOM 2 report, Cayetano said the K to 12’s effectiveness in the Philippines requires reassessment as curriculum revisions alone are insufficient without addressing critical support systems, evidenced by stark outcomes where only 0.4% of Grade 12 students are proficient, with 74% failing to meet minimal skills.
A longtime critic of the program’s implementation, the senator argued that the K to 12 has failed to deliver its promised improvements to education equality. Since his return to the Senate in 2022, he has been calling the attention of the government to make a radical decision on either suspending or fully funding it.
Cayetano also recognized the noble intention behind the K to 12 program and the various efforts that stakeholders have made to address the country’s education challenges. He however warned that the program’s potential is being stifled by indecision by the government.
“I don’t want to use half-hearted kasi tumotodo naman tayo. But ang punto ko, kung hanggang 100 kilometers ang takbo ng kotse at kaya natin mag-100 kilometers, no one can say na half-hearted tayo. Pero kung hanggang 200 kilometers ang takbo ng kotse, at sabihin natin, ‘Boss, hanggang 120 lang kaya natin, yung 80, hindi’, y’ung potential na 80 ay half-hearted,” he explained.
While backing Senate Concurrent No. 8, Cayetano reiterated his call to the government to make a decisive move.
“Mr. President, may I just put that at the doorstep or at the feet of our honorable senators and decision-makers. Yes, let’s do everything we can — better budget for 2027, full implementation in 2026, a 10-year plan. But sooner or later, hindi natin pwedeng hindi ito pag-usapan,” he said.
