BIZ BUZZ: Soon: financially troubled private schools

The odds are stacked against them in the education sector and the odds are definitely not in their favor when it comes to the legislature.

But just the same, the Philippines’ private schools—through various associations around the country—are hoping to make their voices heard, in the hope of turning the tide against the passage of a bill proposing to ban the longstanding no permit, no exam policy.

One group has been particularly vocal about its stance. According to the Davao Association of Catholic Schools, the proposal looks like it’s benefiting students, on the surface.

But the group argues that but deferment of payment of tuition fees does not mean the obligation to pay is no longer there.

In fact, students and their parents could suddenly find themselves deep in debt because of the postponement of payments.

The Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations; Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines; Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities; Philippine Association of Private Schools, Colleges, and Universities; Association of Christian Schools, Colleges, and Universities; and Unified TVET of the Philippines Inc. have all warned that many private schools will close down if timely collection of tuition is impaired to the detriment of their finances.

They ask: Can private schools who get into financial trouble point to the no permit, no exam policy as an excuse to delay the wages of their teachers and school staff, or to default on payments to suppliers? Certainly not, right?

The proposed law is currently up for deliberation by the Bicameral Conference Committee, and private schools are hoping that lawmakers pause to listen to parties who will be adversely affected (including the students if their schools close down).

But is it too late for stakeholders to come together to craft a more balanced policy? Abangan!

—Daxim L. Lucas

Soon: Bulacan traffic madness

Korean entertainment royalty will arrive in the Philippines for the Asia Artist Awards on Dec. 14.

Over 60 Korean celebrity guests are expected to appear in the blockbuster event, considered Asia’s Oscars and Grammy Awards, which will be held at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.

This early, however, a source with knowledge of the event’s planning raised concerns about the massive traffic jams the arriving artists and hordes of guests will likely experience during the Metro Manila Christmas rush.

“The problem is the Koreans aren’t aware of how bad the Philippines’ [traffic] is in December,” the source told Biz Buzz.

In fact, one unrealistic suggestion made by a Korean counterpart was to close down Ninoy Aquino International Airport to accommodate the arriving stars.

Getting to the Philippine Arena—and entering parking in the venue—is another challenge attendees would face, we’re told.

We hope the organizers can sort out the logistics bottlenecks to ensure the event will be a success while causing minimal traffic disruptions for the general public.

—Miguel R. Camus

This month: Masskara mania

Bacolod City is expecting more tourists to flock to the “City of Smiles” to join the festivities during the MassKara Festival this month.

Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez said in an interview the local government was projecting the number of visitors to exceed the 200,000 mark and revenues to reach P1.8 billion based on receipts.

Benitez told reporters that sales estimates exclude revenues generated from short- and long-term homestays. As for hotels, they are fully booked in the City of Smiles.

The annual MassKara Festival started on Oct. 1 and festivities will wrap up on Oct. 22.

Bacolod City first celebrated it in 1980 to bring back the smiles of the people of Bacolod hard hit by the steep drop in sugar prices at that time.

—Jordeene B. Lagare INQ