EDUCATION UNDER THE SECOND WAVE OF THE THIRD REPUBLIC

1. CARLOS P. GARCIA’S ADMINSTRATION (1957-1961). Under Garcia’s administration, there was the
strengthening of democracy, revival of Filipino cultures, austerity program, the famous Filipino First
Policy and the forging of international relations through state visits. The primary aim of the government
was to eliminate corruption, stop smuggling, criminality and prevent foreign interference.

2. DIOSDADO P. MACAPAGAL’S ADMINISTRATION (1961-1965). After President Garcia, Diosdado

Macapagal look over the presidency because of his political propaganda as the “Poor Boy of Lubao”. He
abolished the tenancy in farming where farmers get only a fraction of their yields. He signed the
Agricultural Land Reform Code or Republic Act 3844 of 1963. President Macapagal also channeled the
country’s capital into industry in the hope of reaping economic growth and development, which until
this time remain in the political agenda of any political aspirant.

3. FERDINAND E. MARCO’S ADMINISTRATION (1965-1986). President Marcos implemented a wide

extent of educational reform. He gave so much value to education as cited by Angeles in 2005, “true
progress is not and should not be confined to the satisfaction of the material ne3eds of man. It must
extend to the development of his mind as well as the fulfillment of his spirit. It must fill him with
knowledge and wisdom and it must enrich the quality of human life.” He designed a Ten Year
Educational Development Program as an important vehicle for the attainment of the New Society. The
program included establishment of science education system, a regional agricultural education
programs, work-oriented education programs and policy on bilingualism. He also instituted the National
College Entrance Examination in 1974. To give more access to education especially in the higher
education level, he promoted the “Study Now, Pay Later Program” which opened many opportunities to
students. Curricular changes were implemented in all levels and Youth Civic Action Program was carried
out to immerse students to community development. It was during the involvement wherein the Green
Revolution became popular because of the involvement of students in different levels. Added to this
program in the area of agriculture was “gintong ani” wherein the so called “miracle rice” became
popular.

The goals of the New Society were inculcated as early as elementary level through elaborating the
textbook the slogan, “Sa ikauunlad ng bayan, disiplina ang kailangan.” When President Marcos term was
about to end in 1985, he implemented President Decree No. 1706 or the National Service Law. Under
this law, students were given exposure to military training, civic welfare, and law enforcement training
under the Ministry of National Defense. In the end, only military service was implemented and made
compulsory to all senior high school students and at the college level. He also promoted the use of
Filipino as the language in official documents. The program of President Marcos, the longest reigning
president of the country, was reflected in the platform of his regime with the acronym, PLEDGES which
stands for P-for Peace and Order, L for Land Reform, E-for Economic Development, D-for Development
of Moral Values, G-for Government Reforms, E-for Educational Reforms and S-for Social Services.
4. CORAZON C. AQUINOS’S ADMINISTRATION (1986-1992). It was during the time of President Aquino
when the Filipino people had shown to the world how democracy worked through the masses or
common tao. The new constitution was drafted and ratified after she was catapulted in presidency. It is
in provisions of 1987 Constitution where education, science, technology, arts, culture and sport have
gained renewed attention from the executives of education under Article 14. The provisions emphasized
that the State shall promote and protect the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels and that
it shall establish, maintain, support a complete, adequate and integrated system of education relevant
to the needs of the people and society.

5. FIDEL V. RAMOS’ ADMINISTRATION (1992-1998). Philippines 2000 became a popular line during the
time of President Ramos. It was the socio-economic program that aimed to prepare the country to
become newly industrialized and most like is in the line of Singapore, South Korea and other tiger
economies in Asia. The following educational programs became popular during his time:

a. Third Elementary Education Project (TEEP)

b. National Elementary Achievement Test (NEAT)
c. National Secondary Achievement Test (NSAT)
d. Ten-Year Master Plan for Basic Education
e. Program Basic Education Plan for Basic Education

There was also the strengthening of the teaching of English, Science and Mathematics popularly
known in trainings as ENSCIMA. National pride, nationalism, respect for the law, honesty, civic-
mindedness were also given importance. Liberalization of the regulations of private tertiary schools was
also noted in his administration, thus making education more responsive to the needs of the time,
including the technical and vocational program. Highlight in his educational program was the creation of
Legal Education Board, establishment of the centers of excellence, longer number of calendar days in
school and the amendment of Section 25 of Education Act of 1982. In 1994, President Ramos signed into
law Republic Act 7722 for the establishment of the Commission on Higher Education and Republic Act
7796 which established Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

6. JOSEPH EJERCITO ESTRADA’S ADMINISTRATION (1998-2001). Jose Marcelo Ejercito Sr., in real name,
became popular because of his “big heart” for the masses. The line, “Erap para sa mahirap” eventually
catapulted him in presidency in 1998. During his presidency, he signed Administrative Order No. 116, s.
2000 which support the Non-Formal Education Accreditation and Equivalency (NFE A&E). this was a
government program aimed at breaking the cycle of poverty and illiteracy through giving educational
opportunities to poor but deserving students. It was also during his time when educational services in
Early Childhood Education were given attention through the Pre-School Service Program. Special
Education was also enhanced through SPED Personnel Enhancement Program and Resource Materials
development for Children with Special Needs. It was also in his administration where Multi-Grade
Program in Philippine Education (MPPE) was enhanced in order to address the problem on lack of
classroom.
7. GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO’S ADMINISTRATION (2001-2010). President Maria Gloria Macaraeg
Arroyo’s program in education started with the distribution of textbook in priority subjects in Grades I to
IV and in First Year to Second Year high schools. Building of additional classrooms, especially in
Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao, was also noted in her administration. In order for the Filipino
youth to be globally competitive, she ordered the Department of Education to address the decline of
English literacy among Filipino. Math and Science have gained another upgrading in as well as Filipino
and MAKABAYAN. Time allocation has been extended in the teaching of science from 300 to 400
minutes in a week. Master of Math principles was also required in high school using the linear and
sequential approach in teaching. Distance Learning Program was also expanded during the time of Pres.
Arroyo to include remote areas of the country where illiteracy was high. It was in her administration
wherein the public school system has adopted the Internet-Based Education Program and the Pantawid
Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).

8. BENIGNO SIMEON “NOYNOY” COJUANGCO AQUINO III ADMINISTRATION (2010-2016). President

Aquino III signed into law Republic Act 10533, or the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013. The law has
covered kindergarten as part of the public school systems until senior high school. This education
program provides an opportunity for a senior high school graduate to be employable, or to go into
entrepreneurship, middle level technological-vocational skills or to higher education following a
specialized track. The institutionalization of kindergarten as an integral part of basic education is based
on Republic Act 10157. President Aquino also provided an education program for the Moro Islamic
Liberation Front Communities (MILF). This program includes college scholarship, technical-vocational
training and educational assistance to Madaris or Islamic schools. Added to education program is health
and livelihood programs under “Sajahatra Bangsamoro” which aimed to improve the living conditions of
the Islamic communities.

9. RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE’S ADMINISTRATION (2016-present). In spite of the challenges in socio-

political and in economic aspects, President Duterte managed to promote programs in education that
every Filipino has the opportunity to enjoy. This started with the continuation of the K to 12 programs
and the signing into law-Republic Act 10931 in 2017, known as Universal Access to Quality Tertiary
Education Act. This law aims to provide high chances for the young citizens to improve their living
conditions. The Department of Education has also widened the reach of the beneficiaries of Alternative
Learning System of delivery of instruction. Under the concept “Pagbabago,” the administration has given
priority to the development of human capital through education, thereby reducing the problems on
poverty, unemployment, and other burdens of the common tao.
 The Philippine presidents are expected to make a development plan in order to anticipate
opportunities for socio-economic development and prepare to counter threats and or look for
alternative solutions to possible flops in its implementation. To mention the making of this long- term
plan started the Five-Year Integrated Socio-Economic Program for the Philippines (1961-1964) during
this time of President Macapagal, the Four-Year Development Plan (FY 1972-1975) under the Marcos
regime, and the Medium-Term Development Plan (1987-1992) under Cory Aquino. It was at this time
that poverty alleviation was given primary attention by the government. Another development plan was
the Medium-Term Development Plan (1993-1998) during the presidency of Fidel Ramos where in human
development and international competitiveness served as the main focus. The Medium-Term Philippine
Development Plan (2001-2004) of former President Arroyo aimed to eradicate poverty. Her 10-Point
Development Agenda from 2004-2010 aimed to reduce if not to eliminate poverty and promote a
greener pasture for the Filipino people through the promotion of a highly competitive industry. Before
the ouster of former President Estrada, he was promoting “Angat Pinoy 2004” or the Medium-Term
Philippine Development Plan. The program was anchored on the principle of rural development,
expanded access to basic social services, infrastructure development and globally competitive industry
and service. He gave the Filipino people the assurance of responsible fiscal management to be in place
for the attainment of such goal.

Former President Noynoy Aquino promoted the kind of Philippine Development Plan (2011-
2016) that served as the social contract between the president and the Filipino people. Aquino assured
the Filipino people of inclusive growth with basic education as one of its driving forces. At present,
President Duterte has Ambisyon Natin 2040 and the Philippine Development Plan of 2017-2022. This
program is a solid foundation of the aim of the Duterte government to provide matatag, maginhawa, at
panatag na buhay for all the people in response to Sustainable Development Goals which includes
climate change and disaster risks. Reduction of poverty remains the focus of the global movement to
improve the living condition in the different parts of world. In the country. In the Philippines, National
Economic Development Authority serves as the main agency of the government for economic planning
and development. Attached to this agency are the Tariff Commission (TC), the Philippine National
Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA), the Philippine Institute for Statistics office (PIDS),
National Statistics Coordination Board (NSCB), National Statistics Office (NSO), and the Statistical
Research and Training Center (SRTC). The Initiative of NEDA could be traced back to the use of socio-
economic planning model such as the Development Planning Model (NEDA 1993), Development
Planning Process Model (NEDA 2001), and the Strategic Framework for Special Development (2011-
2016). The strategic plan of the present government is based on the research conducted by the team
from the University of the Philippines, Ateneo de Manila University and National Development
Authority. This long-term vision process was initiated by NEDA in 2015 in order to set a clear direction as
to the kind of living conditions the Filipino people could have in the near future.