MEMBERS of the President Isko Movement-Isulong ang Kapakanan ng Mamamayang Pilipino (PRIMO-ISKO) and the Youth for Isko Metro Manila-Rizal yesterday said that around one million students and out-of-school youths will be sent to school for four years or until they finish schooling if the P203-billion Marcos estate tax liability will be collected and utilized by the government.
In a rally at the Cogeo Market in Antipolo City, the youth groups supporting the candidacy of Isko Moreno Domagoso for president said the government should collect and utilize the P203 billion estate tax of the Marcoses so it can benefit the younger generation to have a good education.
Nato Agbayani, PRIMO-ISKO president, said there are many students who cannot afford to finish high school and college due to financial constraints, but if the Marcos tax liability will be collected, this would be a good source of budget for the education sector benefitting around one million children.
Members of the youth groups displayed placards and banners urging the government to work double time in collecting the tax liability of the Marcos family, so it can immediately fund their education and assure a better future for children and their family.
In a study made by the youth groups based on published information, the P203 billion budget that will be collected from the Marcoses can advance the welfare of students and out-of-school youths.
“Wag nating payagang tuluyang maiwan at isantabi ang kapakanan ng mga kabataan, one milyong kabataan ang kayang pag-aralin sa loob ng apat na taon, sapat upang makatapos sila sa high school at kolehiyo hanggang makahanap ng hanapbuhay at makatulong sa bansa sa pamamagitan ng pagbabayad din ng tamang buwis,” Agbayani said.
Based on Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), there are about 39.2 million Filipino children who are out-of-school youth and 3.53 million of them are in the six to 24 years age bracket.
There are also 83.1 percent of the 39.2 million out-of-school youths are within 16 to 24 years old.
“Ibig sabihin nito, solved na sana ang malaking problema pagdating sa education backlog ng Pilipinas kung ang P203 bilyon utang mga mga Marcos ay babayaran nila,” Agbayani said.
