By Gemma Q. Casas
Variety News Staff

PUBLIC educators, their students and parents gathered outside the Legislature yesterday afternoon while the House of Representatives was holding a session to express their strong opposition to the administration’s 15.6 percent additional budget cut proposal.
Education Commissioner David Borja, Board of Education member Herman T. Guerrero and various school principals joined protesters who urged lawmakers to restore the school system’s $6 million budget cut.
Chang Torres, a parent, said the quality of public education has never been better but it cannot be sustained without the government’s support.
“We are taxpayers. We demand to know where our money goes,” said Torres. “The education system today is stronger than before but we will fall apart without funding.”
Her son, Dion Iglesias, a student at San Antonio Elementary School, said students like him need to learn.
“Help us,” he said when asked about what he would tell lawmakers if given the chance to speak to them.
Jonas Barcinas, principal of Dandan Elementary School, said perhaps the Legislature should cut the lawmakers’ miscellaneous funds.
Each lawmaker is entitled to $155,000 in annual miscellaneous funds on top of their yearly salary.
“Why don’t they cut their funds first? They want to run their operations. So do we. I feel they should be changed to a unicameral body. There are so many of them yet they can’t find solutions to our problems,” said Barcinas.
“We need operational funds to buy toilet paper and detergent to clean up our restrooms. Kids are really sensitive. How can our kids become future governors or legislators if they are not prioritized? Where are our priorities?” he added.
House Minority Leader Rep. Arnold I. Palacios, R-Saipan, said they are open to suggestions — including cutting their miscellaneous funds.
“They can be cut to as low as it is necessary to make sure that PSS, Public Health and Public Safety get their required funding. These agencies are the most essential ones,” he said.
With a student population of 520, Dandan school is overcrowded, Barcinas said.
“The ideal ratio is one teacher for 20 students. Our classes have one for 25 students and up,” he said.
Vince Dela Cruz, Chacha Oceanview Jr. High School principal, said education should be the cash-strapped government’s priority so it can build a better economy.
“We don’t have all the funds that we need. But education should be at the top of our list of priorities,” he said.