K-12 EDUCATION: Sen. Pia Cayetano (left), chair of the Senate Committee on Education, Arts and Culture, discusses with officials of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Department of Education (DEPED) and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) how the government’s K to 12 education program will benefit the Philippines during a public hearing on Tuesday. CHED Commissioner Maria Cynthia Rose Bautista said the additional two years required by K-12 will make the Filipinos less vulnerable to exploitation. “While our teachers, for instance, are recognized for their excellent teaching skills, they receive a lower pay than their Asian counterparts because of the lack of two years in our educational system, which some Asian countries believe are not at par with theirs,” Bautista said. Also in photo is Sen. Loren Legarda (right). (PRIBphoto Albert Calvelo/08 July 2014)