THW allow people to take licensure exams without a college degree Government Good afternoon, on the motion that

this house would allow people to take licensure exams without a college degree, the government would like to argue on the affirmative. Before I start with my arguments, I would first like to set the parameters of this discussion. By people we mean high school graduates and by licensure exams, we mean those professions in line with the k to 12 program, which include tracks in business, accountancy, management, humanities, education, social sciences, science, technology, engineering and mathematics. On to my first argument. The government believes that the exclusivity of licensure exams discriminate against the marginalized sectors. Status quo: (research ka sa NSO site kung ilang percent ng population ang hanggang high school lang ang highest level of education) _% of the population are deprived of the required tertiary level of education due to low household incomes and lack of government assistance. Only one out of a hundred, if not a thousand, high school students are given the opportunity to attend college through scholarships. (check this fact) Lucky for those chosen few, but what about the rest of the hopefuls? By requiring a college degree before admittance in the licensure exams, these students are discouraged from achieving bigger goals of practicing the profession that they aspire for. The rigorous screening process is a hindrance for these high school graduates in reaching their full potential simply because they neither have the money nor the means to get a degree. As a result, they settle for monotonous jobs for minimum wage or worse, submit to the temptation of earning money illegally. Affording the high school graduate the chance to get a license to work in his chosen field is not a detriment to society, but rather a good investment for the state. The skill developed in every person during college may already be initiated in high school with the k to 12 program. The curriculum made effective by the government strengthens and enhances the holistic development of every Filipino child by allowing him to venture into a chosen track which he may put to good use in the real world. The K-12 program was intended by the Legislature to solve the inadequacy of past high school curricula so that even without a college degree, future workers are not confined in minimum-wage jobs. Licensure exams should be open not only to the privileged but also to those in the marginalized sectors who are more than deserving to help out in society the best way that they can. Now to my second argument. Licensure exams do not admit unskilled workers but rather maximize human capital. Status quo: (research ka about ilang percent ng population ang walang trabaho) The unemployment rate of the Philippines is not a pretty number. About _% of the population have no steady income and no means of providing a good life for their family.

Minimum-wage employment is limited and is largely dependent on proprietors and the success of their business ventures. Because of this, employees become subject to unpredictable termination without the necessary compensation that our labor laws provide, precisely because they have no security of tenure. Most of these employees are high school graduates and working college students who juggle work and school just to make ends meet. Ironically, many Filipinos nowadays migrate to look for greener pastures, resulting to a brain drain in the country. This can be resolved by taking a stand for the flexibility of licensure access. When such exams are passed, not only will the government help the people reach their full potential, it will also maximize human capital by developing certain abilities and proficiencies in every laborer. With a good work force, the labor sector will surely bolster the economy, invite more foreign investments and strengthen Filipino pride both individually and in society. To reiterate, our stand is not to ensure admittance to the profession but to afford the person an opportunity to embark upon his chosen field. The exams given by the Professional Regulation Commission are standardized tests that verify diligence and skill traits which a person may already possess even without the luxury of a college education. It is only a matter of giving that person a chance to make a name for himself. Thank you.