Solon wants education as ‘key pillar’ in PHL’s foreign policy priorities

A party-list representative on Thursday urged President Rodrigo Duterte and the Department of Foreign Affairs to make education a "key pillar" of the Philippines' foreign policy priorities.

In a statement, 1-Ang Edukasyon party-list Representative Salvador Belaro Jr. added that the Philippines should put education as a priority topic when it participates in the coming Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summits.

"I urge President Duterte and the Department of Foreign Affairs to make education as key pillar of the Philippines' foreign policy priorities,"  Belaro said.

"International recognition of Philippine education credentials, continuing education of OFWs, and attracting foreign investments for the Philippine education sector are priorities that should be on the agenda of the APEC and ASEAN and bilateral talks," he added.

Leaders from ASEAN member-states will converge in the Philippines next week for the 31st ASEAN Leader’s Summit and Related Meetings.

The APEC Summit, meanwhile, is currently ongoing in Vietnam, which Duterte is attending.

Belaro highlighted the need for education attachés in several countries where Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) would be needing their services.

"These education attachés can, among others, attend to the provision of continuing education for OFWs and address issues on international recognition of education credentials acquired in the Philippines and credentials earned abroad for recognition in the Philippines," he said.

Furthermore, Belaro said education attachés are responsible for holding Professional Regulation Commission licensure examinations and admission tests for state universities and colleges.

These, he said, would allow OFWs and their dependents to integrate themselves into the Philippine mainstream.

Apart from this, Belaro also stressed the need for education diplomacy as part of the Philippine's foreign policy priorities.

"Internationalization of Philippine education also involves meeting ISO standards by basic education schools, colleges, and universities," he said.

"The Philippine Qualifications Framework must dovetail with the qualifications regimes of other countries to hasten mutual recognition of degrees and training," he added.

Belaro said other sectors of the society, from local to national, must be allowed to help integrate the Philippines into the ASEAN in order for Filipinos to reap the gains of the larger economy.

"This is an effort that should take place not just in schools and business, but also at the barangay level," he said. — MDM, GMA News