LANAO del Sur 1st District Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong allayed fears that opening up the education sector to foreign investors will negatively affect the preservation of Philippine nationalism.

“We should not underestimate the sense of nationalism of our students and our kabataan…na kapag may pumasok na dito na dayuhan at mag open up tayo ng mga schools natin automatically it’s easier for us to just turn back from our own culture and embrace a new one,” Adiong said.

“That’s underestimating the sense of nationalism ng ating mga kabataan, tayong lahat,” he said.

The solon stressed that the government shall remain in charge and will enact the rules that foreigners will follow.

He cited one of the proposed economic amendments in the 1987 Constitution, which is to ease the restrictive provisions and allow the entry of renowned international schools into the country.

“Should any foreign companies be willing to put up their foreign capital here in the country on these three specific industries, tayo naman po ang magdi-dictate sa kanila eh, we will still be calling the rules of the game, they have to follow,” he explained.

Aside from education, the proposed economic Charter change also intends to ease restrictions on public utilities and advertising.

“Ang sa atin lang is para may exchange of globally standardized information, technology, sharing of globalized standard data and study that would also help our teachers and faculties in higher education. Also to be able to be at par with the caliber of our neighboring countries in terms of quality of teaching in their country,” added Adiong.