The document summarizes the activities of the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines' National Advocacy Commission (CEAP-NAC) from 2010-2011. It discusses CEAP-NAC releasing statements on urgent national issues, engaging in advocacy efforts on policies related to education, and building partnerships with legislators and education officials. It also lists the members of CEAP-NAC and their champion schools who supported their policy development and advocacy initiatives during this period.
2. Strategic Direction CEAP shall take the lead in public policy development especially in the area of Catholic Education. It shall build a network of educators, advocates and legal luminaries who shall steer the public policy development and advocacy programs and initiatives of the Association. Synergy between the center and the regions.
3. CEAP Statements on Urgent National Issues Statements were released for the period September 2010 to August 2011. Copies of statements have been given to government, media other educational institutions and other partners. May be downloaded from the CEAP main website.
4. CEAP Statements on Urgent National Issues Remembering with Anguish and Pain: A Call for Justice for the Victims of the Maguindanao Massacre CEAP Statement on the Maguindanao Massacre November 23, 2010 “We demand that our civilian and military authorities apply the full force of the law without fear or favor to this case, and bring to justice those responsible for this brutality.”
5. CEAP Statements on Urgent National Issues In Defense of Honesty and Integrity CEAP’s Statement on the issue of plagiarism in the Supreme Court’s decision in the case of Vinuya vs. Executive Secretary 9 November 2010 “The Supreme Court’s decision abets a culture of intellectual sloth and dishonesty. For plagiarism is not only a legal issue but more importantly, a moral one.”
6. CEAP Statements on Urgent National Issues Exemplifying Obedience to the Gospel – Being “Salt of the Earth” and “Light of the World” Support for Heidi L. Mendoza, Lt. Col. George A. Rabusa and Lt. Col. Antonio Ramon A. Lim 8 February 2011 “We appeal to our government and its law enforcement agencies to ensure that those who dared speak to reveal the truth be protected. We appeal to the judiciary, and particularly the Ombudsman and the Sandiganbayan, to uphold the truth without fear or favour.”
7. CEAP Statements on Urgent National Issues Heeding the Escalating Clamour for Truth and Justice Impeachment of Ombudsman Merceditas N. Gutierrez 9 March 2011 “We, the members of CEAP, strongly call for a speedy, fair and decisive conduct of the impeachment proceedings. Corruption must be impeached mercilessly.”
8. CEAP Statements on Urgent National Issues Let Justice be the Tie that Binds Us as a Nation: No to a Hero’s Burial for Marcos! Statement on House Resolution 1135 6 April 2011 “How can we bury among our heroes the very man whose dictatorial regime we rejected and ousted during the EDSA people power revolution 25 years ago? It will be nothing less than a desecration and nullification of the Filipino people’s long struggle and victory for democracy which we are proud to have gifted the world as an example of non‐violent political change”
9. CEAP Statements on Urgent National Issues And They Spat at Him A statement of CEAP on the Exhibit “Politieismo” 15 August 2011 “We are deeply saddened, hurt and insulted. The exhibit is an act of vandalism not simply of the sacred images and icons of our Catholic and Christian heritage. ‘Politeismo’ is a vandalization of our Faith and desecration of our Lord. ”
10. CEAP Statements on Urgent National Issues Seek Peace.. Pursue It! Statement of support for lasting peace in Mindanao 30 August 2011 “All sectors of society in the Philippines are, then, urged to lend support to this transparent and democratic process that can pave the way to lasting peace in Mindanao.. May the needed national peace accord be forged at the earliest time possible!”
11. CEAP’s Involvement in COCOPEA CEAP continues to serve as lead association in the area of Advocacy and Engaged Citizenship for COCOPEA. CEAP working closely with COCOPEA in consultation efforts on the K to 12 and regionalization efforts of COCOPEA.
12. COCOPEA’s Roundtable Discussions/Dialogues with Key Education Officials COCOPEA initiated dialogues with DepEd’s Br. Armin Luistro, CHED’s Dr. Patricia Licuanan ,TESDA’s Joel Villanueva and officials of PRC resulting to: Inclusion of COCOPEA in K to 12 Steering Committee and TWGs Constituting of a TESDA-COCOPEA Task Force COCOPEA inputs in the revised Manual of Regulations for Private Schools in Basic Education Implementation details and legislative support for K to 12.
13. CEAP’s Roundtable Discussion with Key Legislators Rep. Salvador Escudero III (Sorsogon, 1st District), Rep. Juan Edgardo Angara (Aurora, Lone District), Rep. Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar (Zamboanga City, 1st District), Rep. Antonio Tinio (PL-ACT Teachers), Rep. Mariano Piamonte (PL-A TEACHER), Rep. Fatima AliahDimaporo (Lanao del Norte, 2nd District), Representatives of Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile and Sen. Edgardo Angara. Held at the Hotel Sofitel, 8 February 2011
14. CEAP’s Roundtable Discussion with Key Legislators CEAP Presented 3 policy concerns for the consideration and support of the legislators: Amendment to the PRC Modernization Act of 2000 Amendments to the EGASTPE* Law K to 12 Legislation or the Enhanced Basic Curriculum Act of 2011
15. CEAP’s Roundtable Discussion with Key Legislators Resulting from this Discussion, the same congressmen filed the following bills: HB 4198 “An Act Amending Section 11 of Republic Act 8981 otherwise known as the Professional Regulation Commission Modernization Act of 2000. HB 4199 “an Act Enhancing and Increasing the Number of Years for Basic Education” (Escudero) HB 4219 “an Act Enhancing the Curriculum and Increasing the Number of Years for Basic Education.” (Belmonte)
16. CEAP Position on SB 489 Opposition to SB 489 – An Act Strengthening the CHED Removes academic and experiential qualifications of the commissioners Places substantial power in the Executive Director Effectively removes efficient collegial governance by CHED
17. CEAP Position on the Proposed Magna Carta for Students NAC submitted a position paper to the Office of Sen. Gringo Honasan on the various objectionable provisions in the Magna Carta Bill Right to choose a field of study and remain there up until graduation One student representative for the screening of incoming faculty members Representation in the highest policy-making body Creation of a school board fee restricting the right of the school to impose fees subject to reasonable limitations
18. CEAP position on the STRAW bill Students Rights and Welfare Bill (HB 2190 and SB 1475) A softer version of the Magna Carta for Students. A position paper has likewise been prepared by COCOPEA with CEAP-NAC additional inputs addressing the questionable provisions of the bill as the latter restricts the constitutionally protected “academic freedom” of private educational institutions.
19. On Education service Contracting (ESC) CEAP sought for status quo on the ESC guidelines, additional ESC slots and increased ESC grants. Amendments in the implementing guidelinesdetrimental to small and financially-challenged private schools. CEAP sought for the suspension of the “veto” of the President pertaining to EGASTPE. Affected direct subsidy to private schools
20. CEAP Support for Family Courts Act of 1997 NAC wrote letters to the President, Chief Justice, Senate President and Speaker of the House to support its implementation. Once implemented, Family courts shall be properly equipped to facilitate the appropriate justice and healing for victims of VAWC. Favorable responses coming from the legal affairs office of the President, Office of the Court Administrator – Supreme Court, House of Representatives
21. Position on the Anti-No Permit, No Exam Policy CEAP and COCOPEA submitted a position paper to the Senate Committee on Education opposing the Bill. The bill negatively impacts on the schools as the regular collection of tuition in affordable amounts is the operational lifeblood of the schools. The bill is unconstitutional insofar as it constitutes an impairment of contractual obligations. Yet, passed in the House of Representatives (7 June 2011) and pending in the Senate.
22. Report on NAC other Concerns Tax Concerns Dean Cesar Villanueva (ADMU Law) has written a proposed “Comprehensive Tax Exemption Bill for Non-Profit, Non-Stock Educational Institutions.” The proposal has been approved by the CEAP Board. NAC is currently discussing with Rep. Villafuerte on the sponsorship of this bill in the lower house.
23. Report on NAC other Concerns Reproductive Health NAC’s efforts have been successful as some of the contentious provisions in the HB were already deleted: No clear listing of abortifacient drugs Employers’ responsibility to provide reproductive health services to the employees deleted Parents have the option to disallow their children from going through the mandatory sex education.
24. Report on NAC other Concerns Environment “No to mining” stance with CBCP (Mining Act 1995) NAC studying the Minerals Management Bill (HB 3763). Currently consolidating the list of people who are experts on mining and environmental science to do research on mining and validate or substantiate CEAP positions