Maximum tolerance to be observed in rallies, says Malacanang
Anticipating a big student rally on Mendiola come December 1, Malacañang said maximum tolerance will be strictly followed as the students have every right to voice out their protests.
At the same time, the Palace reiterated its order to the heads of the state universities and colleges (SUCs) to explain to the students that aside from the budgets they are getting under the 2011 General Appropriations Act, the SUCs have other sources of income to finance their operational requirements for next year. These incomes are tuition and other fees collected by the schools.
Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said in an interview by Radyo ng Bayan on Saturday that the rally that took place in Baguio, when President Aquino attended the opening of the 700th store of Jollibee Foods Corporation.
The Department of Budget and Management have explained that the 2011 budget for SUCs in fact is higher than last year. The 2011 budget is P23.4 billion for SUCs, higher by P2 billion over 2010’s budget, the President explained earlier in Baguio City.
The entire education budget, which includes basic education, rose by 12.92 percent or to P271.67 billion from P240.58 billion in 2010.
“Some complain that the budget should have been higher. Some say we do not give value to education. My answer is this: do not forget that the tertiary level is not the only thing we should give attention to when it comes to education,” the President pointed out.
.“We are merely focusing on who needs help the most. Basic education should be free for all, that is why we had a huge increase for the budget of the Department of Education. Through this, we can give children the opportunity to go to school,” he added.
The President said the budget for the University of the Philippines went down from P6.9 billion in 2010 to the proposed P5.5 billion for 2011 because it has other means to source funds such as from the UP-Ayala Technohub, students’ tuition fees and state subsidies. (PCOO)
