The Good Soldier
Speculations abound on the transfer, albeit temporary, of Romulo Neri from the National Economic and Development Authority to the Commission on Higher Education.Neri himself, however, admits Finance Secretary Gary Teves was not too happy with his statement that the budget deficit could balloon to P100 billion this year. The official projection stands at only P63 billion. This should end the talk.
After all, Neri’s new assignment is just as crucial as his Neda post.
He says he will focus on making higher education more responsive to the practical needs of industry. This will ensure college graduates will find enough job opportunities that will employ their specific skills.
Neri also intends to look into schools’ tuition increases, which have become unprecedented despite the low rate of inflation in recent years. The high cost of education causes students to drop out of school altogether.
There are also industry-specific issues and emerging sectors that need regulation and direction.
Effectiveness of education reforms and programs is measured by the competitiveness of a nation’s graduates. The goal is to give them career placements abroad or, more importantly, here in our own country, as agents of genuine development.
As every other presidential appointee, Neri serves at the President’s pleasure. He says that like a good soldier, he will take whatever task is given him.
He couldn’t have displeased anybody enough because he got “exiled” to an agency that plays a central role in the empowerment of human capital, as the President said in last week’s State-of-the-Nation Address.
She can only give this job to somebody who enjoys her confidence.
