SENATOR Alan Peter Cayetano called on members of local universities and colleges (LUCs) to embrace their crucial role in reshaping the Philippine education system, likening their contributions to complex puzzle pieces.

“Katulad ng isang puzzle, we play a crucial role but each of us is only one part of the puzzle. If we give you all the funds pero wala naman kayo, may mangyayari ba?” Cayetano said during the 17th Commission on Accreditation for Local Colleges and Universities National Conference.

Highlighting the importance of collaboration, Cayetano, who chairs the Senate Committee on Higher, Technical, and Vocational Education, stressed that every individual in the education sector has a unique role to fulfill.

“We are all part of the puzzle. Kung ano ang specific role ng LUCs sa education ng ating bansa, we can figure it out together,” he said.

He underscored the importance of purpose, transformation, and vision—referred to as “PTV”— in achieving the goals of LUCs. He added that while these align with divine plans, proactive efforts are needed to realize them.

“The Lord has plans for you, but will not plan for you. Similarly, the government has plans for you but you also have to plan for yourselves,” he explained.

“When your head of LGU—mayor or governor—says may plano sila sa inyo, palaging hindi tipid sa picture pero tipid sa budget. Kasi may limitation ang budget ng gobyerno, pero ang Panginoon walang limit,” Cayetano added.

He pointed out that school administrations should inspire students to excel, but achieving success also requires collective effort and responsibility.

“You have plans and have a vision but you cannot plan for every student. It has to be the student and their family who will plan: ‘When will I study? When will I exercise? Kakain ba ko ng masustansya o hindi?’” he noted.

As he concluded, Cayetano encouraged LUCs to visualize where they want higher education to be by 2025 and assured them of his support.

“Taking over the Senate Committee on Higher, Technical, and Vocational Education, I hope that we can be partners and walk with your vision,” he said.