At least 177 leaders from Catholic schools nationwide gathered to endorse the proposed expansion of government assistance for underprivileged students enrolling in private schools via a voucher system. The Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP) said the event discussed principles behind government subsidies for private education students and the policy foundations of the proposed Private Basic Education Voucher Program. Speakers highlighted parental empowerment and the need for quality in expansion.
In Manila, Philippines, at least 177 leaders from Catholic schools nationwide gathered to support the proposed expansion of government assistance through the Private Basic Education Voucher Program. The Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP) organized the event to discuss key principles of government subsidies for students in private education and to deepen understanding of the program's policy foundations.
Joseph Noel Estrada, legal counsel for the Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations, emphasized parental empowerment. “When parents are limited to choosing only public education, their fundamental role in directing their children’s formation is constrained,” Estrada said. He added that expanding educational options upholds parental rights and contributes to societal and national development, while supporting human capital growth and efficient resource use by decongesting public schools.
Estrada noted that private schools help the government save costs on building schools and hiring teachers, and contribute to high achievement test scores nationwide. However, he stressed that decongestion should not be the main driver of subsidies. “Empowering students’ choice. This is more fundamental and essential. Expand the student vouchers to elementary and put the power back in the hands of the family,” he said.
CEAP executive director Narcy Ador Dionisio stressed that access to quality education requires excellence in program delivery. “Quality must remain the anchor of expansion; otherwise, access without excellence risks becoming an empty promise,” Dionisio said.
