CLARK, Pampanga. The Great Oblation Run 2024, also called the “Ritual Dance of the Brave”, an annual event organized by Alpha Phi Omega – Omicron Chapter in the University of the Philippines Diliman Extension Program in Pampanga (UPDEPP), has adopted the theme “Edukasyon o EduKORAPSYON: Takbo Laban sa Education Budget Cut”. This theme emphasizes the critical importance of education as a fundamental right for all individuals.
The focus of the theme is to advocate for quality education and adequate resources while strongly opposing budget cuts that could undermine these essential elements. Despite reports from the Department of Budget and Management regarding a restored budget, concerns persist over the inadequacy of funding for tertiary education. For instance, while the University of the Philippines System has requested a substantial budget increase of 40 billion pesos, the government has only allocated a modest increase of 500 million pesos.
Additionally, secondary education funding in the country is also facing reductions, with the Philippine Science High School experiencing a 6% budget cut. Various other educational entities have encountered significant budget cuts, including the National Book Development Board, the Early Childhood Care Development Council, the National Museum, and others.
The consequences of diminished funding in the education sector are severe, contributing to a severe shortage of classrooms, totaling 159,000, and exacerbating the high rate of learning poverty in the Philippines. The recent release of the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2022 rankings further highlights the country’s low proficiency levels in reading, mathematics, and science among 15-year-old students.
Budget cuts and insufficient funding also limit opportunities for teachers’ professional growth and exacerbate calls for low salaries. Amidst the challenges posed by the pandemic, the government’s decision to slash the education budget further compounds the hardships faced by the education sector, impacting not only one sector but the entire nation.
In light of these circumstances, the Great Oblation Run 2024 aims to amplify calls against budget cuts and raises the question: “Kabataan pa kaya ang pag-asa ng bayan kung pondo sa edukasyon ay pinapabayaan?” (Can the youth still be the hope of the nation if education funding is neglected?).
The first Oblation Run in the University of the Philippines Diliman was held in 1977. This was organized by the Alpha Phi Omega – Eta Chapter. This event started the APO tradition in the University of the Philippines. This first run was organized to support the movie “Hubad na Bayani” which was about the violence of Martial Law. Since then, all the Oblation Runs were organized to raise awareness of UP students about national and political issues.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
