By Liza Soriano

MANILA — Senator Win Gatchalian has highlighted the need for clarity regarding the effectiveness of the Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education (GASTPE) programs in addressing overcrowding in public schools.

Gatchalian referenced the 2018 COA Performance Audit Report, which revealed that the Department of Education (DepEd) had limited data on the impact of GASTPE on public school decongestion.

“Parang lumalabas na hindi malinaw ang mga panuntunan,” said Gatchalian during a hearing on the implementation of the expanded GASTPE law (Republic Act No. 8545).

He emphasized the importance of focusing on congested areas while implementing the initiative.

However, the COA results indicate a lack of explicit policy dictating the location of the voucher program and the implementation of the Educational Service Contracting (ESC).

ESC is a partnership program under GASTPE where the government covers the tuition and other fees of excess learners in public schools who enroll in private schools contracted by the DepEd.

(el Amigo/MNM)

By Liza Soriano

MANILA — Senator Win Gatchalian has called on the government to intensify its fire prevention measures amidst the prevailing El Niño conditions in the country.

“Because the El Niño weather phenomenon poses additional risks of fire incidents, we need to assist our fellow citizens in acquiring extra knowledge in preparation to prevent fire incidents in the country,” Gatchalian emphasized.

The senator made this appeal as the nation prepares to observe Fire Prevention Month in March.

In line with his advocacy, Gatchalian has extended food assistance to fire victims in Puerto Princesa City. He visited the evacuation center to assess the situation and the conditions of the affected families.

“This is not merely assistance; it is a promise to stand together in overcoming challenges. I firmly believe that with every family we aid, success in their recovery is inevitable, and through their triumphs, the foundation of our communities grows stronger,” Gatchalian asserted.

(el Amigo/MNM)

By Liza Soriano

MANILA — Senators criticized certain members of the House of Representatives for deeming Resolution of Both Houses No. 6 “unconstitutional” due to its proposed voting method.

The House of Representatives recently introduced RBH No. 7, similar to RBH 6, except that the lower house advocates for a “joint vote” between the House and Senate.

“Those four words ‘each House voting separately’ are not in the Constitution. Our colleagues in the Senate cannot and should not insist on that language… I am not a lawyer, but that is unconstitutional,” stated House Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr.

Senator Jinggoy Estrada emphasized the importance of separate voting for the Senate and the House.

“When you say Congress, there are both Houses, there are two Houses. The House of the Senate, and the House of Representatives. Okay?” remarked Estrada.

“In joint voting, we only have 24 members. We will be outnumbered by the congressmen,” he added.

Senator Win Gatchalian also criticized the allegations made by the congressman, stating that it was not fabricated by the Senate.

“It’s not made up because it’s very clear in the first hearing (on RBH6). Justice Villanueva stated that the intention is indeed bicameral… It might not be explicitly stated, but the intention is to vote through a bicameral system. So, that’s why the Senate included it,” explained Gatchalian.

(el Amigo/MNM)

By Liza Soriano

MANILA — Senator Win Gatchalian has issued a warning to the public regarding love scams, noting that with Valentine’s Day approaching, individuals are more likely to turn to online dating.

“Individuals interested in online dating should be vigilant against unscrupulous individuals seeking to exploit them through romance or love scams,” Gatchalian cautioned.

The senator also emphasized that scammers often target both men and women, particularly those experiencing relationship difficulties or emotional vulnerability, including older individuals.

“Huwag tayong basta nagpapabihag sa iba’t ibang uri ng love scam. Kailangan nating maging mapanuri sa ating mga transaksyon lalo na kung may kinalaman ito sa pinagpaguran nating pera,” he stressed.

Gatchalian has also introduced a bill aimed at penalizing individuals who knowingly act as money mules, participate in social engineering schemes, or perpetrate other fraudulent financial activities, including love scams.

Earlier, Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos also issued a similar warning to the public.

Abalos emphasized the importance of providing a platform for discussing such illegal activities to raise public awareness.

(el Amigo/MNM)

By Liza Soriano

MANILA — Senator Win Gatchalian has reiterated his call for the effective implementation of the Excellence in Teacher Education Act, Republic Act No. 11713.

“Ang Excellence in Teacher Education Act is a crucial reform aimed at elevating the quality of education and training for our teachers. To ensure the administration delivers skilled educators, the law must be implemented smoothly,” said Gatchalian, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Basic Education.

This call comes in response to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s directive to the Department of Education (DepEd) to enhance teaching quality, prompted by the results of the 2022 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA).

The Excellence in Teacher Education Act, authored and sponsored by Gatchalian during the 18th Congress, overhauls the Teacher Education Council (TEC) by strengthening coordination between the DepEd, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC). This coordination ensures coherence between pre-service and in-service teacher education programs. The TEC is also mandated to set minimum requirements for teacher education programs.

While Vice President and Secretary of Education Sara Duterte has committed to the full functionality of the new Teacher Education Council and Secretariat, Gatchalian emphasized the importance of implementing other provisions, such as the designation, identification, development, and establishment of Teacher Education Centers of Excellence in all regions.

Teacher Education Centers of Excellence have demonstrated and continue to maintain an outstanding track record in teacher education, producing top-caliber graduates.

(el Amigo/MNM)

By Liza Soriano

MANILA — Senator Win Gatchalian is pushing for more severe penalties to be levied against industry players found culpable of mismanaging power-related issues leading to economic losses.

“I propose that, as part of our legislative output, we align the penalty with the economic losses experienced by affected areas due to negligence and incompetence,” stated Gatchalian.

This proposal comes in the wake of a hearing conducted by the Senate Committee on Energy regarding the recent power outage in Western Visayas.

“It’s not enough,” Gatchalian commented, referring to the maximum penalty of P50 million imposed by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) for any violation of the country’s grid code.

Gatchalian believes that the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) would take these issues more seriously if stricter penalties were in place for violations.

“The situation was abnormal because there was a power supply deficiency when a power plant went offline afternoon on January 2. The demand surged, creating an imbalance in the grid. When you have a negative margin, that will undoubtedly disrupt the grid,” he explained.

(el Amigo/MNM)

By Liza Soriano

MANILA — Senator Win Gatchalian expressed openness on Thursday (11 Jan 2024) to amendments in the 1987 Constitution, particularly focusing on economic provisions.

Gatchalian stated that he has filed a resolution aiming to amend the economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution.

“I’m open to amending economic provisions. We’ve already laid it out in the past, enacting several laws to open up our economy, such as the Retail Trade Liberalization Act and the PSA,” Gatchalian remarked.

However, he emphasized that signatures allegedly obtained in exchange for money should not be considered a people’s initiative. He argued that such practices deviate from the true essence of a people’s initiative.

“What happened now, is the People’s Initiative is no longer People’s Initiative but Peso Initiative, which is contrary to the essence of People’s Initiative. It should involve people putting forward their amendments, and all of us voting to agree on those amendments,” Gatchalian asserted.

“But if you put in money, that means certain people are pushing for their agenda. And that’s not good. It will distort the very essence of amending our Constitution through a people’s initiative,” he added.

(el Amigo/MNM)

By Liza Soriano

MANILA — Senator Win Gatchalian urgently calls for swift action to enhance reading proficiency as students return to school.

Gatchalian cited that a nationwide reading program will be implemented starting January 12 this year in all public schools as part of the government’s initiatives to improve the literacy skills of basic education students.

“Sa pag-angat natin sa kalidad ng edukasyon sa bansa, kailangang tutukan at bigyan ng prayoridad ang mga programang hahasa sa kakayahan ng ating mga mag-aaral pagdating sa pagbabasa,” said Gatchalian, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Basic Education.

The senator emphasized the urgency of addressing students’ reading skills as highlighted in the 2022 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA).

Gatchalian has been pushing for measures to strengthen reading programs and learning recovery interventions.

One of these is the ARAL Program Act (Senate Bill No. 1604), which seeks to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

It aims to cover the essential learning competencies under Language and Mathematics for Grades 1 to 10, and Science for Grades 3 to 10.

For kindergarten learners, the program shall focus on strengthening literacy and numeracy.

(el Amigo/MNM)

By Liza Soriano

MANILA — Senator Win Gatchalian has confirmed the allocation of a total of P210 million for mental health programs and advocacies under the Department of Education (DepEd) in the 2024 national budget.

“It is crucial for us to focus on strengthening and effectively implementing the programs in our schools for mental health. Therefore, we ensure that under the 2024 budget, funds will be earmarked for DepEd’s mental health programs to support our students,” stated Gatchalian.

Originally proposing P160 million, the Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Basic Education aimed to address the mental health crisis affecting the nation’s schools. According to DepEd data, between School Year (SY) 2017-2018 and SY 2022-2023, 1,686 learners died by suicide, with 7,892 learners attempting suicide.

International large-scale assessments have highlighted the high prevalence of bullying in the country’s schools.

Gatchalian has been a proponent of the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act (Senate Bill No. 2200) to institutionalize the School-Based Mental Health Program.

(IAmigo/MNM)

By Liza Soriano

MANILA — As the New Year festivities come near, Senator Win Gatchalian reiterated his call for a ban on the sale, distribution, and use of firecrackers.

“While significant reductions in the number of fireworks-related injuries have happened over the years due to greater government regulation, it would be ideal to further reduce, if not eliminate, fireworks-related injuries by prohibiting any person or business establishment to manufacture, sell, discharge firecrackers or pyrotechnic devices except for authorized fireworks displays,” Gatchalian said.

 “As much as we want to enjoy the holiday festivities, it remains crucial to ensure our celebrations are conducted with utmost safety and well-being in mind,” he emphasized.

The senator emphasized Senate Bill 1144, which would amend Republic Act 7183, also known as An Act Regulating the Sale, Manufacture, Distribution, and Use of Firecrackers and Other Pyrotechnic Devices, if it were to become law.

The bill will be known as the Firecrackers Prohibition Act.

“The public should be mindful of the psychological trauma and anxiety disorders that they may experience due to firecracker-related explosions,” Gatchalian said, also noting the impact of firecrackers on pets.

 “Taon-taon na lang, hindi nawawala ang mga nabibiktima ng mga paputok. Taon-taon na lang, nananawagan tayo na maraming ibang paraan ang pwedeng gawin para ipagdiwang ang Bagong taon nang masaya at maingay, hindi lang sa pamamagitan ng mga paputok,” he said.

(IAmigo/MNM)

By Liza Soriano

MANILA — Senator Win Gatchalian reassured his girlfriend, Bianca Manalo, that no false information would come between them amidst the controversy surrounding her connection to actor Rob Gomez.

Rob Gomez is known for A Girl and a Guy (2021), Lovers/Liars (2023), and Mano po Legacy: The Family Fortune (2022), films.

The senator posted a picture frame containing snapshots of himself and Bianca, a thoughtful Christmas gift from Senator Sonny Angara and his wife, Tootsy.

“What a beautiful Christmas gift from @tootsyangara and @sonnyangara,” Gatchalian expressed.

He continued, “@biancamanalo and I uphold the same values and principles in life. No fabricated news will ever drive a wedge between us,” the senator added.

(IAmigo/MNM)

By Liza Soriano

MANILA — Senator Win Gatchalian has introduced a bill aimed at modernizing the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in light of ongoing tensions with China in the West Philippine Sea.

Gatchalian emphasized the pivotal role of the PCG in ensuring maritime safety, security, environmental protection, and effective response to search, rescue, and disasters.

“Given the various maritime challenges our country faces, from disasters like oil spills and ship collisions to persistent issues in the West Philippine Sea, it is crucial to continually upgrade and strengthen the PCG’s capabilities for effective response,” Gatchalian stated.

Senate Bill No. 2516, also known as the PCG Modernization Act, outlines a program to enhance the PCG’s assets and facilities, reinforce its capabilities, and ensure the effective implementation of its mandate under Republic Act 9993, the Philippine Coast Guard Law.

The proposed legislation further includes the establishment of the PCG Modernization Trust Fund, initially allocated P1 billion.

(AI/MNM)

By Liza Soriano

MANILA — Senator Win Gatchalian is promoting programs for the protection and well-being of students, following the latest results of the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA).

This study revealed that bullying remains a problem, especially among boys and in public schools.

“Alam naman natin na ang bullying ay nagdudulot ng mababang self-esteem, kawalan ng kumpiyansa, at kahirapan sa pag-focus sa pag-aaral ng mga biktima nito. Maaari ring maapektuhan ang kanilang emosyonal na kalagayan, na pwedeng magresulta sa pagbaba ng interes sa pag-aaral,” Gatchalian said.

The 2022 triennial assessment of 15-year-old learners conducted by the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) unveiled that one in three Filipino students reported experiencing bullying at school at least once a week.

The percentage of learners who reported experiencing the most common forms of bullying dropped by double digits. From 50% in 2018, the percentage of learners who reported that other students made fun of them dropped by more than half to 28 percent.

In February this year, Gatchalian led a Senate inquiry on implementing the Anti-Bullying Act of 2013.

He urged the Department of Education (DepEd) to improve mechanisms for reporting because of the discrepancies in the agency’s data and the results of international large-scale assessments.

(ai/mnm)

By Liza Soriano

MANILA — Senator Win Gatchalian on Monday (27 Nov 2023) announced that the proposed 2024 national budget will compel the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to formulate training regulations for child development workers (CDWs).

The Senate Committee on Finance has included Gatchalian’s proposal in its committee report on the General Appropriations Bill, aiming to prioritize the upskilling of CDWs.

According to Gatchalian’s suggested special provision, the Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) Council and TESDA will collaborate to prioritize the establishment of a training framework leading to ECCD qualification. This regulation will be applicable to both existing and future CDWs.

Research conducted by the senator’s office revealed that 16%, or 11,196 individuals, among the total pool of CDWs, are high school graduates.

Gatchalian, who chairs the Senate Committee on Basic Education, remarked, “TESDA came up with a training regulation for barangay health workers. The same principle applies to our child development workers, our current daycare teachers.”

“The training regulation and certification will elevate their skills, enabling them to perform their jobs more effectively and demonstrating their essential training,” he added.

(ai/mnm)

By Liza Soriano

MANILA — Senator Win Gatchalian has announced the allocation of a total of P1.5 billion for the training of teachers in the MATATAG curriculum.

This decision follows the recommendation made by the Senate Committee on Finance, chaired by Gatchalian, to set aside funds for the training of educators in preparation for the rollout of the MATATAG K to 10 curriculum.

As outlined in the committee’s report on the General Appropriations Bill (GAB), P1.5 billion has been earmarked for the training of teachers in the MATATAG K to 10 curriculum. The rollout is scheduled to commence in phases, beginning in the School Year (SY) 2024-2025, targeting Kindergarten, Grades 1, 4, and 7.

Gatchalian noted that while the initial recommendation was P1.7 billion, the final allocation is P1.5 billion.

“Our crucial recommendation focuses on the training of teachers for the MATATAG curriculum. We proposed P1.7 billion to facilitate the training of teachers for the rollout, commencing in the School Year 2024-2025.

The approved amount of P1.5 billion will be utilized to train approximately 200,000 teachers across Key Stage 1 and other grade levels,” said Gatchalian, who serves as the Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Basic Education.

Highlighting the need for change, Gatchalian emphasized that experts have identified the current K to 12 basic education curriculum as overly congested. This congestion, according to the senator, hampers learners from mastering essential competencies, including literacy and numeracy.

The Department of Education (DepEd) states that the MATATAG K to 10 curriculum places a strong emphasis on foundational skills such as literacy, numeracy, and socio-emotional skills. Additionally, it incorporates peace competencies.

(ai/mnm)

Ni Liza Soriano

ININSPEKSIYON nina Senador Risa Hontiveros at Win Gatchalian ang gusali ng ni-raid na gaming operator na Smart Web Technology (SWT) sa Pasay City.

Hindi makapaniwala ang dalawang senador kung paano nagawa ng isang Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) na ganito kalaki ang umano’y isang prostitution den sa kabila ng pagiging malapit nito sa lokal na pulisya, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Pasay City Hall, at maging sa Senado.

Kapwa rin na-shock ang dalawang senador nang makita nila nang personal ang tinaguriang “torture room” sa loob ng SWT building.

“Gaya n’yo, na-shock din ako sa nakita ko na torture chamber kung saan ginagapos ang mga empleyado ng Smart Web. Walang ilaw, walang pagkain, pasa-pasa at bugbog-bugbog ang sinapit ng mga biktima ng mapangahas at abusadong employer na ito. The walls are literally blood-stained,” wika ni Hontiveros na siyang chairperson ng Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality.

“Seems like we are now the human trafficking and human slavery hub in the world… Ang kinakatakutan ko, lalala at lalala ito,” ayon naman kay Gatchalian.

Ngunit ang mas nakababahala, anila, ay ang pagkakatuklas ng Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) na isang grupo ang nagbibigay ng mga tunay na Philippine government ID sa mga dayuhang manggagawa ng POGO.

“From our initial verification made with the commissioner of the BIR… Nagulat po sila nang malaman nila na nakapasok po sa sistema nila itong mga IDs na ito. So authentic po,” ayon kay PAOCC Executive Director Gilbert Cruz.

(ai/mnm)

By Liza Soriano

Senator Win Gatchalian emphasized on Saturday that the programs of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) should be aligned with the most in-demand jobs today until 2025.

The Department of Labor and Employment’s Bureau of Local Employment’s (DOLE-BLE) Jobs and Labor Market Forecast and the TESDA Skills Need Anticipation Survey indicate that until 2025, information technology business process management (IT-BPM), construction, logistics, agriculture, and health will be the industries with the highest employment growth rates.

Using data from TESDA, the senator’s office was able to break down and analyze the 2022 Technical-Vocational Education and Training (TVET) enrollment by sector.

The top five sectors with the highest enrollment in TVET are agriculture, forestry, and fishery (18.3%), tourism (16%), programs with no training regulations (14.7%), automotive and land transportation (9.6%), and social, community development and other services (8.3%).

“None of the top five most popular courses offered by TESDA are aligned with industries that will grow in the next three to five years. Again, we see a lot of jobs-skills mismatch even at the tech-voc level and this is one aspect that we’re also addressing at the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II),” said Gatchalian, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Basic Education and EDCOM II Co-Chairperson.

“It’s deeply concerning that we provide scholarship programs to our graduates who don’t end up in the fastest-growing industries of our country,” he added.

The senator’s office also analyzed data from the June 2021 Labor Force Survey and found out that among senior high school graduates who took the technical-vocational livelihood track, 50.6% are employed in elementary occupations.

(ai/mnm)

By Dang Samson Garcia

SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian filed a bill seeking to improve the governance and quality of education in local universities and colleges, which are higher educational institutions that are being run by local government units.

“Mahalaga ang papel ng ating mga LUCs sa pagbibigay ng abot-kayang edukasyon sa ating mga kababayan at sa pagpapaunlad ng ating mga bayan at mga lungsod. Kailangang suportahan natin sila sa kanilang pagsisikap na maghatid ng dekalidad na edukasyon at tiyaking sila ay may maayos na pamunuan,” said Gatchalian.

The legislator noted that while the number of LUCs rose from 107 in 2018 to 143 in 2023 to address the growing demand for higher education, concerns on governance sustainability, and quality standards persist in these institutions.

A policy note from the Philippine Institute for Development Studies revealed the three-year election cycle weakens leadership in LUCs, causing policy discontinuity, insufficient resource management, and ineffective investment strategies.

Gatchalian’s Local Universities and Colleges Governance Act prescribes mandatory guidelines on the creation of LUCs. Before enacting an ordinance creating a local university or college, local government units must obtain institutional recognition as a higher education institution from the Commission on Higher Education.

The requirements for the establishment of LUCs for institutional recognition shall include a feasibility study, certification of availability of funds from the local treasurer, a project development plan, and a five-year institutional development plan.

LUCs established in accordance with the proposed measure shall be eligible to avail of the benefits provided under the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, also known as the free college education law.

The highest policy-making body of a local university or college will be the Board of Regents, chaired by the local chief executive. The president of the LUC, responsible for overseeing the institution’s administration, shall serve as the body’s vice chairperson and must hold a doctoral degree in education or related fields. The president’s term shall be three years, with the possibility of reappointment for up to two terms.

The proposed measure also stipulates that LUCs must secure CHED approval before offering higher academic programs.

Data from CHED also reveals that 41 out of 143 LUCs are not officially recognized by the State.

Out of the 102 LUCs with institutional recognition, 35 percent still lack program compliance, which means that these LUCs offer programs that do not fully adhere to CHED’s policy standards and guidelines.

By Dang Samson-Garcia

SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian plans to file a bill that seeks to create an independent agency to test and evaluate learner outcomes.

“The Department of Education formulates and delivers the curriculum, formulates the assessment, analyzes the data, and based on the findings, the DepEd tells itself to make corrections. If you think about it, how can the DepEd do self-correction when it is the one who developed and delivered the curriculum?” Gatchalian said.

“So it makes sense to have an independent body to come up with the assessment, analyze it, and tell the DepEd what to do, because then you have the concept of check and balance,” he added.

Gatchalian said that in 1991, the first Congressional Commission on Education l recommended the creation of an autonomous national testing and evaluation agency, which shall develop, administer, supervise, and evaluate national achievement tests.

The EDCOM I also proposed that this agency shall conduct and evaluate other tests on aptitude, intelligence, personality, equivalency, and tests for national scholarships.

The senator cited Australia’s National Assessment Program-Literacy and Numeracy, which determines how well young Australians are developing literacy and numeracy.

The NAPLAN is developed by the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority, an independent statutory authority responsible for the development of a national curriculum, a national assessment program, and a national data collection and reporting program.

In Finland, the Finnish Education Evaluation Centre carries out evaluations for early childhood education all the way to higher education.

Gatchalian lamented that there is no periodic and systemic analysis of assessment data to inform educational policy. Assessment datasets are also not publicly available for external review, which also leads to the lack of a clear and timely feedback mechanism of assessment data for learners, teachers, experts, policy makers, and other stakeholders.

By Dang Samson Garcia

SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian on Wednesday underscored the imperative role of schools to protect students from the perils of hazing amid reports that another student died following initiation rites.

He said that under the anti-hazing law, schools are mandated not only to protect their students but also to launch information campaigns at the start of every semester or trimester targeting students and parents or guardians on the consequences of hazing.

“Taos-puso akong nakikiramay sa pamilya ni Aldrin Bravente. Kaisa ako ng pamilya sa paghahangad ng hustisya at nananawagan ako sa mga alagad ng batas na tiyaking mahuhuli ang mga sangkot sa pagkamatay ni Aldrin,” said Gatchalian, co-author and co-sponsor of the Anti-Hazing Act of 2018.

Police reports said Bravente underwent fraternity initiation rites in an abandoned house in Quezon City.

He died at the Chinese General Hospital where he was rushed. The police have so far arrested four suspects.

Gatchalian said that the anti-hazing law prohibits all forms of hazing in fraternities, sororities, and organizations in schools, including citizens’ military training and citizens’ army training.

The law imposes the penalty of reclusion perpetua and a fine of P3 million on those who planned or participated in hazing that results in death, rape, sodomy or mutilation.