LAGAWE, IFUGAO — You don’t have to go far to learn.
Those who want to earn units for a college degree among municipal councilors in some provinces in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), the good news is that they need not travel too far to do so.
If this applies for a councilor in Aguinaldo, Asipulo, Hungduan or Tinoc (all in Ifugao), the task at hand shall be realized not in Tabuk City in Kalinga province. Same thing is applicable with a councilor in Besao, Bontoc, Nantonin or Sagada in Mountain Province.
Let’s see what the future reveals. Plans are now underway for the establishment of the Philippine Councilors League (PCL) Legislative Academy right in the capital town of Lagawe in Ifugao.
This was disclosed recently by PCL Cordillera vice chairman James Talib.
The academy shall offer a bachelor’s degree on Public Administration program. The course is open to those who have earned at least 72 units in college.
Talib, a councilor in Kiangan, Ifugao, is reportedly eyeing about 30 enrollees in the academy’s initial operation. Its innovative way of educating them largely involves seminar-type mode of instruction.
The academy is also offering a masteral degree on Public Administration program. The project proponent is optimistic of attracting 20 aspirants.
The proponent is further seeking jurisdictional tie-ups with the Cagayan State University for both programs.
In an exclusive interview with the ZigZag Weekly, Councilor Talib said the project is essential in ensuring that councilors who want to broaden their spheres of interaction obtain relevant college education.
“It is the intent of the PCL-Ifugao chapter officers to help them,” he said.
“If it was meant to be another difficult job for us, then it will happen,” he added.
The announcement came after strategic meetings of the PCL-Cordillera chapter in various places of the region, where officers mapped out plans for 2017 and beyond.
The plan underlines further cooperation among councilors in the region to improve efficiency and competitiveness. Designed as a valuable tool for councilors and others, the PCL Legislative Academy serves admirably to give them a good understanding of the vitality of tertiary education.
Perhaps the PCL’s most durable work thus far was the fact that councilors could earn three units in college, if one is not yet a college graduate, by attending the national PCL meetings held four times a year.
Increased leadership capacity of local legislators by way of a noteworthy project as this one was designed to contribute in the realization of PCL objectives.
“With all this said, our councilors indeed have a bright future. So let us actively support this initiative for it is an integral part of the effort to promote continuing local legislative education program,” Talib explained.
Talib, the youngest councilor in Ifugao, along with PCL Cordillera chairman Councilor Anthony Bakilan of Tabuk City, endeavored for the establishment of the academy in Ifugao.
Continuing learning program is an evolving concept that results for the interaction between key entities in the public and private sectors that provide opportunities for cooperation and capacity building.
The development is significant as it was a move long-sought for by many to pursue services and programs that develop the intellect of local lawmakers. **By Anthony A. Araos
