So the bill for free college education at state universities and colleges was signed into law by President Rodrigo Duterte. Many Filipinos are rejoicing for yet another freebie for the people. We have free contraceptives and now we have free college education (among other freebies). But what does “free college” really mean? Does it mean that professors and school staff won’t get paid anymore? Does this mean that the power, water, telephone, internet and other utility companies won’t get to bill the schools? If we think about it this notion of “free college” is really a non sequitur. How can college be free if operating universities and colleges costs money?
The free college program has been estimated by Duterte’s economic advisors to cost 100 billion pesos a year (approx. $2 Billion). Even one of the authors of the bill, Congressman Salvador Belaro, estimates that the program could go up to 500 billion a year by 2022. For a country struggling to fit expenditures into a limited budget such a magnitude of freebie would be a huge bite. What other essentials, earmarks, or entitlements need to be cut in order to accommodate these freebies like free college, free housing and free contraceptives? The government cannot just print money, you know?
But we’ve heard advocates say that this free college education is a good investment. Really? What do the facts say? An article by Philippine Star’s Boo Chanco offers an interesting insight. Here are some interesting facts back in 2015:
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• 22.2 percent of our unemployed are college graduates
• 12.6 percent are folks who had some college education but did not graduate
• 34.8 percent of unemployed went to college
• 33.3 percent are high school graduates
• A little over 68 percent of unemployed Filipinos had some college or high school education
• The total of unemployed Filipinos = 2.68 million
Doing the math, the 34.8 percent equates to close to 1 million unemployed people (out of the 2.68 million in total). We’re not even including underemployment into the equation here yet (the condition in which people in a labor force are employed at less than full-time or regular jobs or at jobs inadequate with respect to their training or economic needs). But if we look at things in perspective, there just aren’t enough jobs out there for our college educated kids. As Chanco claims of the resources spent on high school graduates: “Resources were wasted on their education and these are resources we simply cannot afford to waste.”
The problem with subsidized education is that much like a lot of subsidized programs the cost will tend to increase. Why? It is because universities and colleges know that the government is mandated to pay for whatever cost it takes to provide the freebie. Even in America if we look at the comparison between college education inflation rate and consumer price index it can be seen that college tuitions soared each year, advancing far in excess of the national inflation rate. The overall inflation rate since 1986 increased by 115.06%, which is why Americans pay more than double for everything they buy. On the other hand, during the same time, tuition increased a whopping 498.31%. This is because a lot of the college education was subsidized through government guaranteed student loans. During former POTUS Obama’s term student loan debt has increased by 463%.
With more government subsidies for free college education, more demand for this freebie results. Who doesn’t like free stuff? But in a previous article, I raised an argument against subsidizing college education for everyone. If the government continues to pump in more college education subsidies how exactly can the government prevent its increasing cost? With more demand for college education, given a finite and limited number of state universities and colleges, is it any wonder why the cost of post-secondary education is continually rising? Hello?! Inflation? Law of supply and demand, anyone?
The thing is we need to change the way we think about the necessity of a college degree. A college diploma is not the only way to escape poverty. Not all students are college material. We need to abandon the idea that everyone should get a college degree. What we actually need is to have the skills to do the job that is available. Otherwise we will just continue churning out diplomas that would not necessarily result to jobs. With quantity there is also a risk for a compromised quality. How many times will Filipinos be outraged by condescension of people from other countries looking down at “diplomas at some med school in the Philippines”? There will always be a strong demand for skilled labor like plumbing, electrical, welding and construction management. These really don’t need a college degree but vocational or technical studies (and I would argue that a lot of college programs like Hotel and Restaurant Management don’t really need to be degree programs). It is unfortunate that these skills and careers are looked down upon, sometimes even by the poor!
Having the skills is only half the equation. The other half is about job availability. Opening up the market for competition and ensuring that we have adequate infrastructure to promote businesses that would provide employment are necessary. Duterte’s “Build, Build, Build” socioeconomic agenda is a move to the right direction. However, college education freebie is not exactly a good investment given the lack of jobs available. Investment in infrastructure will yield better returns as more people and businesses will benefit from it. It will facilitate and enhance business growth and ultimately the creation of well-paying jobs. Isn’t that what we think college education is aimed for?
(Image from bulatlat.com)
Calling a spade, a spade…
The whole issue about demands for free education highlights a common problem with the Filipino mentality. Apparently, Filipinos love to spend money that doesn’t exist yet. I for one believe that education is a right but only to the extent that it is financially viable and sustainable. It is something justifiable in first-world countries where majority of people are responsible enough to pay their taxes, but for a country where lots of people want everything for free but are not willing to do their share in terms of contributing to the national treasury, such a policy could mean national bankruptcy in the long run.
Hi vanquisher,
Good points. While I disagree on the (college) education part being a right, I agree that we should be mindful on our situation compared with other countries.
Thanks for reading!
Dear Mr. Gamboa,
in my country education is subsidized. From Kindergarden uptill and including university. Does that mean that parents go to school for free? No. Parents have to pay tuition. Even for Kindergarden.
Now why is that? Its actually 2-fold. The government is investing in its own people and will recoup that investment when those people have a job and pay reasonably high income taxes. The system is paying itself.
On the other side by letting parents pay tuition (and pay for school books) it should give a signal/sign NOT to fuck like rabbits. And parents must be willing to also invest in their own kids. Parenst will recoup nothing of their own investment but it will make them proud to see their kids becoming the best lawyer, best engineer, best accountant and making enough money.
Moral of the story: if you – as parent – can not invest in your own kids, then dont procreate.
remember the old proverb “you get what you pay for”?
knowing how it is in public schools, apply that to the state uni systems
well, shit
but still, the state unis could just raise the bar for acceptance. like harder entrance exams, higher acceptance scores, steeper passing marks and maintained gwa’s.
not all people deserve to go to college.
Hi T,
I think Sen. Lacson proposed a similar measure. He said this free college education should not be for the stupid and the bulakbuleros. ????
Thanks for reading!
Hi Bob,
Couple of things…
1. How does your country compare with the Philippines in terms of college grads to available professional jobs ratio?
2. So are you again saying that the root cause of the problem is the Catholic faith of Filipinos since we tend to swallow the Christian tenet of “going forth and multiply”?
Bob, don’t take this as an attack on your response but I just want to say how amazed I am on how you seem to oversimply all our problems to our Catholic/religious beliefs. I know you didn’t mention any religious angle in your response but that is ultimately where it leads to, right? Throughout the years I have read your comments that seems to be your one narrative. I have to give it to you, Bob. You really are consistent.
Take care and thanks for reading!
Hi Tor,
Everyone graduating from university will have a high end job. In university a student is educated and trained for decision making jobs. Unemployment among university graduates is low. Nationwide uneployment is, I believe , 5,6% at the moment.
I dont think I mentioned religion anywhere but procreating (like rabbits) will NOT help the economy. In fact, if you would wipe the poor 25% of the PH population of the face of the earth, the PH GDP will not even change.
Free education is like:
when you pay peanuts, you get monkeys.
I dont think – based on own experience – the PH education excells in quality knowledge.
Hector,
just to add,
unlike the Philippinnes, we dont have private schools. All schools are public schools. We do have schools with a religious ‘signature’ but the government guarantees that the curriculum is as good as non-religious schools in my country. The curriculum must be and is of high quality. And you just cant become a teacher overnight.
What I think Duterte should have done instead is to make sure that the Philippine curriculum is of world class material both in private and public PH schools.
Secondly with the constantly increasing PH population, free education becomes unaffordable for the PH government. And because I also think that the number of jobs in PH will decrease (automation and robotization), the number of people getting and staying unemployed will increase significantly. So (over)population does matter. We cant expect from the government, any government to create jobs when there are no jobs to create. Unfortunetely, most future PH parents will take this effect not into consideration when they are about to procreate. And that is what I meant that parents also must invest in their own kids. And sometimes invest means, not making kids. This is not rocket science but a simple A, B, C and 1, 2, 3.
So again , what has Duterte achieved so far? Not much.
hector: I think you forgot a couple of things:
1) Filipinos are taught nonsense in public schools and more nonsense at university. Making it free (i.e., funded by the 10-15% of the population who work hard and pay taxes) just means more people will have access to nonsense.
2) The government can, in fact, print money. That is actually one of the main functions of government. Didn’t you get a degree in economics? Perhaps this slip-up proves point 1).
Hi marius,
A couple of things…
1. I am not an economist by trade or education
2. “Printing money” blurb was in the context of its effect on inflation.
Thanks for reading! ????
Reason no. 1
Government will not approved FREE higher education w/out anticipating an INCREASE DEMAND for OFW/OCW or economic growth or construction boom (decentralization) around the country
Example:
Japan now is dying w/ increasing no. old people (material girls=no true love=no baby=no youth=no workforce)
Probably the reason why
1. JICA is helping Philippines in INFRASTRUCTURE (engineering or loans)
2. Government approved FREE Higher Education – probably because of anticipatef increase demand for OFW/OCW (as loan payment to Japan (and to other countries) or in exchange to Subway & others Project.
FREE HIGHER EDUCATION – a wise investment for Philippine Government
If you’ll consider ±$28billion annual remittance, Phillippines main export product are OFW/OCW like me (Modern Day Hero daw or a form slavery) = billions of U.S. dollar remittances, providing millions of jobs, business opportunities and make the world go round.
Government need to invest on improving quality (skills/talents/attitude) of our no. 1 EXPORT product/commodity. I just hope our leaders will not be contented w/ this setup, won’t simply let other countries/nationalities exploit or abuse our people, and won’t allow FAMILY (basic unit of our society) to be weaken/destroy it by separating one or both of it’s pillars (mom & dad). Just imagine our nations predicament if our leaders & people ignore this simply because of short-term benefit ($U.S.remittance) and can’t or refuse to see greater effect.
Reason no. 2
The approval of free colleges & topnotch education @ State University & Colleges (SUCs) are perfect opportunity for the poor seek a better life through higher education. It solve many problems:
PROSTITUTION
DRUG ABUSE
POVERTY
UNEMPLOYMENT
UNSTABLE FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE
GROWING POPULATION
DECONGESTION IN M.M.
etc.
1. With FREE COLLEGE EDUCATION, FREE INTERNET, FREE WI-FI, CHEAP ANDROID PHONES/TABLETS & HIGH TECH GADGETS AND SOCIAL MEDIA.
“Hopefully our next generation will learn to speak their own mind, rather than being nothing more than the next batch of sheep, waiting for the slaughter.” by Jacques Philip
Church (CBCB), mainstream media and politicians will now have difficulty brainwashing or dumbdown Filipino Youth.
Hector – my apologies, I think I was getting you mixed up with the young economics graduate who had the same stance as you re. free contraception.
Anyway, my point was that since the government CAN print money, and since Duterte is (by his own admission) innumerate and has no knowledge of economics, he will probably do exactly that to fund his mad schemes. He is at least smart enough to realise that most Filipinos have NO IDEA what effect this will have on the economy; he can therefore do it anyway, and then blame the results on the Americans.
It’s a bit off-topic, but I have to add to Robert’s point above: I would say Catholicism IS a very large part of the country’s problems. The Philippines is not “Christian” by any stretch of the imagination. Few people seem to know what the Ten Commandments are, or if they do, they don’t have any interest in abiding by them. “Go forth and multiply” is an idea invented by Catholics; it appears nowhere in the Christian bible. Likewise with the prohibition on contraception. Bringing endless children into a society that revels in poverty will, inevitably, result in more poverty. Do you honestly believe in God who wants people to be poor, stupid and miserable?
I wonder if this is an example of Pres Duterte’s socialist economics. University graduates earn 25% more than the national average,so if everybody has a degree,everybody will earn 25% of the national average.
On a more serious note, the problem arises that anything free is not valued and has inexhaustible demand. Has any preparation been made for lecturing staff, lecture theatres accommodation etc for the likely increase in student numbers? What is the benefit if the standard of education does not increase,as the economy cannot absorb the current numbers ? Will the additional students be taking courses that are actually relevant?
As someone has already said, if all education is state funded, then the amount available is restricted by total government expenditure. It then becomes a political football,fighting for its share against every other department and politicians pet projects. While past performance is no guarantee of future performance, who is going to be optimistic ?
Rereading my post, the second sentence should of course read ‘everybody will earn 25% more than the national average’.
Teach me to check properly.
@Niall: “anything free is not valued”. That’s precisely my take on the matter. I would go so far as to say something that is free has no value – in other words, whatever education people get, if they are not paying for it one way or another, it will be of very poor quality indeed.
Of course, as someone else mentioned, the universities COULD raise the bar such that only very able students get in, and only very able teachers are hired. All the other dead wood could (as Hyden suggested) be sent on courses to learn how to please their foreign Johns. However, I think we all know what’s going to happen: more incompetent teachers will be hired so that more idiot students can be granted worthless degrees.
“Who will pay for this Free Education?”…answer: We the taxpayers with our hard earned taxpayers’ money, will pay for it…
Most of those working as Filipino Seamen and Sea Women, have College Degrees. I met a Filipino cook, who has a degree in Political Science. I met a Filipino Sea Woman, who has a Law degree. She works , as cleaning woman for the rooms…
Most of the Filipino Doctors, here in the U.S. and Canada, work , as nurses aids , and if they go to get a degree in Nursing. They work as Nurses. I met a Filipino Doctor, in Canada, who was working as a Butcher of Pigs. He used his medical skills , in butchering pigs !
Filipinos Engineers, have Obsolete Technical knowledge. So, they work as laborers or engineering aides.
A College Diploma, sometimes, is not a ticket to successful life…
The College Freebee education decision stinks…it was a mistake of Pres. Duterte. Diploma Mill Colleges will graduate many students, who will not find jobs. Oversupply of college graduate, and under supply of available jobs, will be another problem for the country …
@Hayden007Toro999.999
What you said is absolutely TRUE
But not because we have poor education but mainly because of DISCRIMINATION or EXPLOITATION which is normal anywhere or same with other nationalities since our workers (OFW/OCW) will be 2nd or 3rd class citizens of that country.
The main point is they have JOBS, dollar remittances that stabilize our economy and help make the world go round.
@ Dale Gozar:
If we want to train OFWs…then, let these government run Colleges, have curriculums in : cleaning rooms; cleaning toilets; sweeping the floor; cooking; gardening;washing dishes; restaurant servers; nannying; driving cars in foreign countries; floral gardening;being servants; pleasuring your foreign masters; etc…not a College degree…we don’t need these degrees…
nothing is FREE
Message to Hon. Rodrigo Roa Duterte
(President of the Sovereign Republic of the Philippines)
It’s already time to look deeply at the flaws in our current PH 1987 Constitution, especially in the country’s economic policy which is “PROTECTIONIST ECONOMY”. An economic policy that need to be dismantled towards Free Competitive Open Market Economy or Liberalized Economy. This is in order for the country to be more attractive in driving in more Multinationals Foreign Direct Investments of different backgrounds that may not only generate huge income for the country but will also create decent-paying jobs to the millions of Jobless Filipino Citizens.
The 60/40 Foreign Business Ownership need to be removed. Even if the country will offer and make it 70/30, it is still NOT enough but instead let’s make it 100% Foreign Business Ownership.
The answer to our problem, i.e. where to get the budget is in our country’s economic policy which embedded or enshrined in the flawed 1987 Constitution. Amend it, to remove the economic restrictions because removing it, you will no only make our country very attractive to MNLs FDIs but these FDIs will certainly generate huge income for the entire country and this is where the country will take its money to pay all its loan for its Build, Build, Build Program including upgrading our Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Free Tuition in SUCs, et.al. It is also them who can create tons of decent-paying jobs for the countless and millions of jobless and OFWSs Filipino Citizens.
Come to think of it, instead of sending people to work abroad, why not bring all those companies in our country. It no lnoger matters to people whether the owner of the company is a foreign but as long as they have decent-paying jobs and they are only in their own country. No! ANyhow, of course, we just don’t want all these Economic & Job Opportunities to concentrate only IMPERIAL Manila so therefore it is here where FEDERALISM will play an important – Decentralizing & Decongesting Imperial Manila thus Developing the Countryside and spreading out all the Economic & Job Opportunities throughout the Country’s Regions from Batanes to Tawi-Tawi.
lastly, to have a good management to take care all of these, here comes the importance of Parliamentary System. No gridlocks and discourages the so called Personality-based, Names-recalls and Popularity-based politics that are often found under any presidential system.
So, Let us allow 100% Foreign Business Ownership!
#EconomicLiberalization
#Federalism
#ParliamentarySystem
#ConstitutionalReformNOW!
To know more about Constitutional Reforms and its Three Most Important Agendas, please visit here.
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Why don’t they use the student loan system? Make students take responsibility for their own education by paying back a required amount from their income in the future, once they start earning above a certain level. Instead of encouraging dependence on government handouts or mama, papa and siblings.
@Hyden007toro999.999
This is just my observation…..
I think it’s kinda balancing the world economics & role of each countries.
Philippines role which the world intended us play obviously is a modern form of slavery – providing high quality (export/outsource) talents/skill/labor/service. It’s really sad our leaders fail to see or simply ignore how other countries exploit/abuse our people and our natural resources.
US President Barack Obama has hailed Filipino-Americans “for the many ways they have enriched our society.”
“They have been the artists who challenge us, the educators who keep us informed, and the laborers of our growing economy,” Obama said in a special message dated October 1 in celebration of the Filipino-American History Month.
“And throughout our history, they have served as members of our Armed Forces, helping safeguard our Nation and the values upon which we stand,” he added.
“There is no limit to the amount of good you can do if you don’t care who gets the credit” by Ronald Reagan
I agree, but not to a point where one is forever exploited/abused while world or people he’s trying to help get to be so spoiled, arrogant fools, judgemental hypocrite because of idle/lazy mind & body accostume to doing fake projects or pretending.
My last trip abroad or previous work assignment in Japan (2008/6 – 2009/6) resulted to 3 NEW Plant Project (BZF Barzan Qatar), TMP Malaysia, PNG (Papua New Guinea) each worth $15billions X 3 = $45billions.
Plus 1 project worth $34billions (IGL Darwin Australia) which I started in Manila
A. Guess who is owner of the projects I got involved:
1. Qatar (QGX, RGX, AKG, BZF,)
2. Papua New Guinea (PNG),
3. Russia (SEG, Yamal)
4. Australia (AEL, B2K)
Rex W. Tillerson (former chief executive of ExxonMobil) appointed by Pres. Trump as U.S. Secretary of State.
B. Guess how much was my salary + airfare + food allowance?
Why work hard if your not paid well or rewarded for what you accomplished, let other take the credit and instead of just having to support you and your family you also have to support someone else’s? Heck, why work at all if those who don’t get things for free? or took credit of things I’ve done? and promoted or rewarded for doing fake projects?
ALTERNATE TRUTH
“Doesn’t have to be TRUE. Just needs to LOOK like that”
During my assignment (OFW/OCW for 5yrs) in Japan 7-13 yrs ago, our mother company / office worked with Consolidated Contractors Company (CCC / CCIC) -(Arabic: شركة اتحاد المقاولين) – Athen Greece (Palestinian owned) is the largest construction company in the Middle East and ranks among the top 25 international contractors with a revenue of 5.3 billion USD in 2013.
Modesty aside, I alone draw Conceptual or Front-End Engineering Design, Check/Review Drawings, Document Control/Management (approx. 200 bldgs.), and help get MAJOR projects (5-30billion U.S. dollar each) in Qatar & Papua New Guinea namely:
QGX, RGX, QCS, AKG, BZF, PNG, etc.
Those projects kept people very busy and somehow help prevented war/conflict in that region. I was also involve in starting multi-billion projects in Russia (SEG), Malaysia (TMP) and Australia (IGL or Ichytys) approx. 100 bldgs. – help create jobs & business opportunities to many people, circulated money around the world, provided a stable energy/fuel supply and resulted to a strong dollar reserve (OFW/OCW remittances).
But guess what did I get in return for my SUPERMAN work/service/sacrifice/heroism – NOTHING. In fact, I was treated like trash – no promotion, no recognition, and still no real or qualified help up to now, because incompetent/stupid people in Manila office (I.T. BPO or outsource Engineering) would rather do sci-fi projects (e.g. STARTREK) and pretend to be busy or do work not real or minor projects -existing plants (local/abroad) w/out real profits/returns (despite of BIG overhead & unlimited manhour allocation). And these pretentious/stupid people are the one’s being promoted merely because they project an image to be man of God, read Bible and always say “Amen or Praise God”. But actually is complete opposite (Evil) – judgemental hypocrite, act worst than the real owners/shareholders, and suffer from arrogance of power (Hubris syndrome).
But why do I still manage to stay since I already tendered my resignation 7yrs ago. My superior/boss (in Japan) asked/forced me to stay, so I decided to hang-on a while feeling a little “Utang na Loob” for all the things I learned. I stayed until all REAL/BIG projects I handled are completed. Now, they harass me again maybe because they have no more funds to do no-sense/fake work – so they want to force me to go back to Japan under more worst condition – all my boss before (very competent/experienced) already retired or swifted to management. So I expect to work with and be under young/inexperienced Engineers. Why the hell will I want to be a saviour (Jesus) or sacrifice myself again (martyr) and leave my family/friends for nothing? and forever spoiled everyone – easy money, easy life (idle / lazy mind).
Engineering or any Professional work should never mixed with CHARITY, ACTING, RELIGION or POLITICS. Because working with incompetent people cannot produce or get REAL projects that can help so many starving people around the world.
Remember “The end does not justify the means”
Yes you did give people work (Fake) and fed them enough but they still end up STUPID/INCOMPETENT. Because they learn nothing from pretending Fake Project/Engineers.
What’s disgusting is they have the guts to take all the recognition when everything was FAKE. And they fucking believe their own lies. Horrible people.
PEKE na nga tapos kayo pa ang MAYABANG!
Hi Dale,
I read your comment and am wondering what your field of expertise is.
I am not sure if I get the whole big picture but I guess/think that most OFWs are domestic helpers (aka nanies), sailors and maybe graduated doctors (well graduated in PH) but working in a foreign country as nurse.
Now that are NOT the most prestigious jobs. So the general view about those jobs is : take it or leave it (for you 10 others). I also think that foreign employers know exactly why PH people apply for those jobs abroad It makes them very vulnerable.
If all a certain person has to offer is cleaning things and cooking then that is not a whole lot. And it doesnt require a high IQ. And it certain will not pay top dollar.
If you come to my country with all your degrees and all your diplomas, all will first be valued to Dutch norms. And I am sure and convinced that a Philippines university does NOT equal a Dutch university. Without being harsh, I would not and will not be surprised if a Philippines university diploma will be valued similar to a Dutch high school.
In short: Duterte should and must do something about the lack of quality of the curriculum instead of making education for free. Again wrong priorities.
Doesnt he have a staff of experts who can tell him what to do and what not to do?
@DALE GOZAR:
Indeed, it is modern day slavery…only the slaves, like the OFW Filipinos, are paid barely to survive,and are free to leave, if they do not want their jobs.
In the U.S. Southern Plantations, the Black Slaves, are bred and kept, in slave houses. They can be sold to other Slave Owners. They work in the Plantations, without pay. The Slave Owners take care of them…
They were treated like animals, branded with the name of the Slave Owner on their backs.
There is really a disturbing parallelism , between the Filipino OFWs, of today and the U.S. Southern Plantation Slaves, of bygone era…
Robert,
The problem isn’t limited to Filipinos but almost anyone who graduated from an institution outside of the EU, UK, or NA. As long as you are not a citizen, you should never expect your qualifications to be recognized in the same manner as domestic ones. This is why more students from non-developed countries are opting to acquire western degrees. Even then, it is still difficult to find a job after graduation because immigration policies are not at all friendly, especially in Europe.
Interxavier01,
Okay why dont you make it easier for yourself? Get a western degree and go back to your country so that you can help develop/rebuild/modernize your country into a first world country. No problems with immigration policies. A win-win situation. Not bec I dont want YOU to be here in my country. But bec of the probl;ems you described and that you can do much more (with your western degree) in your own copuntry.
Actually in the same manner all OFWs could and should have done. Take everything (knowledge) with them from their host country and implement it in their home country. All for the sake of progress and improvement. But what I see in OFWs is that they work there only in a one-dimensional way.
Robert,
It’s actually my plan. I will do my master’s in NA or Europe and if I have no luck finding a job in my host country, then I’m going back to the Philippines to start a business or a startup as it’s fancily called nowadays. Some will call this technology transfer. It’s the system currently implemented in Germany where it attracts many foreign students because of their affordable tuition. With the final phase of the K-12 system set to be implemented this school year, I expect more Filipinos (at least those who can afford it and can get scholarships) will pursue western degrees . The old adage of ‘go to college then find a job’ no longer applies to this country.
Interxavier01,
Finishing and graduating from a Dutch high school will leave a person unemployment. Not since today but since ages. At best one can find work at minimum wage. And those kind of jobs are most easdily replaced by automation. Those jobs are also very drudgeries (Dutch: geestdodend). So, in order to get a “real” job, one really has to move up from HS to college (not sure how to translate college into a good proper dutch equivalent) and even university or higher professional education (HEAO, HTS).
When you are here (in my country) you will quickly notice that school here is different than in PH. You can address your teacher by his/her first name. No sirs and no madams.
Well anyway: good luck and I really hope that you will succeed.
Robert,
To add: I have no plans on starting a family until my I have a reasonable amount of income as well as a stable source of it. No, I’m not bounded by religious dogma. I trust my own judgement to make decisions for myself.
Interxavier01,
If you were considering “dating & courting” a western girl, pls put out of your head what you were taught in your own country. Girls here are way different. They are not the submissive types. But that is for you to find out yourself.
DESTRUCTION of the Phils will happen even faster due to the free education at the university level. 1. The poor will be further destroyed by this. 2. This will cause a great migration of people away from the Phils permanently. Examples of this, call center jobs in most countries only require a high school degree. Here in the Phils most call centers required people with a university degree, why? 2. When I retired in America and wanted to enjoy a stress free life. Many of my friends including Pinoys said move to the Phils I did it. I would often ask why did you retire here in America. instead of going back to your country. The answer was always the same. They do not want to live in the Phils after the Pinoys retired. The best of most Filipinos are not coming back to the country to help teach or improve the country. The best leave and the people who are not the best stay here generally. The problem goes back to failure of a basic education here in the Phils. People should graduate high school with basic computer knowledge, typing ability, and global knowledge. Why do people in the Philippines need to have some university to work at McDonalds to become a supervisor. This is a job for people who did not graduate high school. Why do sales people, at the malls need a degree? This adding more educated people into the Phils working low jobs that are for poor people and once again the good
@Hyden007Toro999.999
I sense sarcasm on your reply
Why don’t you try live or work abroad for 1-2 yrs or more, make sacrifices just like our OFW/OCW or immigrants and do real work.
Our government intentionally makes things worst (our lives), in-order for us to voluntarily leave our own country, migrate and seek employment overseas.
Eventually many Filipinos will do or have left and sacrificed being away from their family, friends & loveones. Either they end up being discriminated, exploited, raped, abused, jailed, killed, executed, and permanently separated or abandoned their family.
@Robert Heighton
I am Building Architect/Engineers (work in Japanese Petrochemical engineering) but for other foreign professionals who refuse/lazy or really can’t DRAW/DESIGN I’m just a Draftmans. Note majority of design problem is in the drawing and inorder to really understand/manage the project one has to be involve in
But my job description actually (in reality but concealed)
I spent 3yrs in Malaysia and 5yrs in Japan (every 6 month 1week home visit). But I still choose to stay because:
1. I can’t bring all my family – parents, friends, places, foods, drinks and people I like.
2. Discrimination and 2nd/3rd class or Gaijin (bad word refering to outsiders) status you gain in other countries.
3. “It stands to reason that where there’s sacrifice, there’s someone collecting sacrificial offerings. Where there’s service, there’s someone being served. The man who speaks to you of sacrifice, speaks of slaves and master, and intends to be the master” – Ayn Randolph
“I’d rather have bad times with you, than good times with someone else
I’d rather be beside you in a storm, than safe and warm by myself
I’d rather have hard times together, than to have it easy apart
I’d rather have the one who holds my heart” – LUTHER VANDROSS
Do Your Country a Favor: Get Out!
The aim of a college education is to teach you to know a good man when you see one.
d_forsaken,
I am sure you are joking, right?