Party-list CLASE to push Study now, pay later program’

Mar T. Supnad

A group of educators who compose the Central Luzon Alliance for Socialized Education (CLASE) a party list accredited by the Commission on Elections has proposed “Study now, pay later plan,” to give chance to poor students  to study colleges and universities.

Dr. Renato P. Legaspi, President of the Central Luzon College of Science and Technology, and Number One nominee of CLASE, said he will craft a law in Congress, if given the chance, that will cater  young Filipino aspiring for basic, technical, vocational and higher education who have the intellectual capability and interested to study.
Legaspi said this will be their socialized education program where the poor but deserving students will be empowered to quality and affordable education.

The other CLASE nominees are  Dr. Reynato C. Arimbuyutan, president, College for research and Technology  in Nueva Ecija; Dr. Marcelo V. Fernandez, President, Fernandez College of Arts and Technology in Bulacan; 
Dr. Sabino M. Manglicmot, president, Midway Maritime Foundation, Inc. and Capt, Edwin M. Itable, president, MARITECH Training center. 

Legaspi said among their platforms of government are to assist parents in providing free socialized scholarship grants system of basic, TECHVOC and higher education for their children who have intellectual capability with a weighted average of at least 87 percent but financially hard-up.

Others include free tuition, miscellaneous fees, books,  uniform and subsistence allowance (free one meal and free transportation during school days).

Legaspi vowed to “legislate appropriate funds and push for a unified, expanded coverage of a “study now pay later program” as educational assistance fund  or socialized education fund for out of school youths, and students with average intellectual capacity(with a weighted average of 86 percent and below ), for them to pursue, continue and complete their  studies.

Asked if how he could raise the funds for his free education program, CLASE nominees said they will craft a law  to urge private corporations to set aside one percent of their gross income.

Legaspi however said the one percentto be allocated by the private companies will be deducted from their tax payment.

Also, he said, they will urge government financial institutions (GFI), and government-owned and control corp. (GOCC) to appropriate at least one percent also from their gross income yearly as contribution to the Socialized Education Program (SEF).

"We will also craft a law that will put up a grants-in aid fund, as part of SEF, for the entire education system to undergo academic, scientific and technological research and development, among others,” added Legaspi.