The Philippines

Tourism or Education? Which should be the priority for the Philippines?

Supposing the Philippines has only enough budget to improve either its tourism industry OR its educational system. Which should it be and why? Consider this a mock debate so please pick only ONE side. I enjoin everyone to share his/her view. Thank you.

Public Comments

1. Education would be great. Consider this, if they upgrade their tourism industry, that would bring in more money to help out the education. Not many people in other countries need high-quality education, just enough to get a job and live. In the US, it's pretty much a requirement to get a good job to live an average life. If I were to visit there, I would expect to have a great time seeing the sites and learning about the culture.
2. Hello, I will say Tourism. The funds from Tourists will allow the Republic of the Philippines to improve many things that need funding there. A marked increase in tourists will allow many more people to become aware of the beauty in the Philippines. Many entry level jobs will also come with more Tourists.
3. Education.... all the way.. the country needs to have a good educational system in place. edumication is power!! the tourism industry is secondary at best.
4. a few moments ago, i would readily say education. but after a closer look i am really not that convinced anymore. picture this: education- if we choose education and no jobs are available for our millions of graduates, then tendency would be for filipinos to seek employment outside of the country. although overseas contract workers are our modern day heroes, the toll on the family is affecting the moral fabric of philippine society. tourism- if tourism be given priority by the government only the educated few would benifit from this prosperity and majority of filipinos would end up strangers to their own land. afterall, who can really afford to go to tourist places nowadays.**
5. Education... once the Philippines proficiency in anything, mostly in Business and Government go higher, then tourism would also go well...
6. BOTH The Government should concentrate on the education system, even allow foreign schools to set up Universities etc. Tourism could be the realm of the private sector if the government would stop changing rules. and stay away from participation....they should just set and monitor guidelines. Give tax breaks to tourist ventures till they are established ...say 5 years.. Also allow foreigners to LEASE properties for tourism purposes..... Allow foreign airlines to fly in to regional centres ...
7. Tourism, Hands down! We have enough of educated people! Tourism generates a lot of jobs in other countries and they don't need highly educated people to run the show(only in the top ladder). What is important is customer service, availability of services and accommodation. Our natural resources are our main draw like the Donsol in Sorsogon, tarsiers in Bohol, Monkey Eating Eagle in Davao, whales and dolphins in panglao, secluded beaches in palawan etc.( We have to be really kind to our animals.) If we manage to run our ecotourism very well, money will pour in from tourists esp european tourists who are truly supportive of conservation. Then, we can get the funds we need to channel it to other sectors like education. Do you know how much Australia earn millions of dollars just from promoting kangaroos? ITs $$$$$$$$$.
8. Education, once people get educated they can create Tourism. wink-wink
9. EDUCATION as top priority. Educated people say no to corruption and are better equipped to steer the country to economic development. The improvement of the tourism industry will just be a by-product of a better educated populace and better government. ***nena didn't google; she used her brains this time.
10. Tourism!!! It brings about funds for the government. If they have the funds, education can be budgeted correctly.
11. This is a no brainer. The Philippine Constitution already dictates that the biggest budget of the government should be given to the Department of Education. Education should be the priority. If a government department gets a bigger budget than Education, they are basically violating the constitution and can be impeached for doing so. No further discussion needed.
12. education
13. Hmmmm. Education is by far the most important thing about people's future. I will say this, if I had to only choose one, I'd say tourism. Tourism is big business in the Philippines. To make money, we must spend money. Once we start making profits from tourism, put most of it into education. Oh Sirrah, why are you asking this question?? Education is so important, but I think the Philippines also needs money from tourism. Tough question!!
14. education for me.. how can you promote tourism if you don't know anything about your country.. in promoting tourism we need people who are knowlegeable in their country (philippines).. you should know the history, places, people, the tradition/customs, etc..
15. I would choose to improve the educational system. A country's greatest asset is its own people, who needs adequate and relevant training in order to increase awareness and develop proficiency necessary for their and the community's advancement. Even if local job opportunities were scarce, Pinoys with marketable skills could find employment elsewhere and send money back home, thus contributing to the improvement of the economy. Developed nations have productive workforce due to excellent educational systems in place, while they do not necessarily have strong tourism industries.
16. Definitely, education. According to the Philippine Education for All Plan 2015, for every 1,000 children who enter Grade One, about 312 will leave school before finishing Grade Six, most of these are in the first two grades; 439 will graduate from primary school in the ideal length of six years while 249 will finish the sixth grade on an average of 9.6 years due to repetition of some grade levels two to three times. Meanwhile, for every 1,000 children who enter First Year High School, only 248 will graduate within the required four years; about 389 will leave school without completing the four years; and 353 will graduate after repeating two to three times, averaging 6.7 years before completion. The current number of children who are not able to go to school is currently estimated at 4.3 million.
17. talking about budgetary priorities, it is education that gets the biggest share of the pie. no contest about that. but without this constant and for the sake of argument, tourism industry has to be improved more. a tourism industry without infrastructures is no tourism at all. while it takes private initiatives to build resorts, hotels, and allied services, the government must build airports, open the sky, improve national roads, railways, and port terminals. these facilities facilitate the movement of tourists from one place to another especially that this country is an archepelago. the education department, because of its huge budget is becoming inept of its missions. it buy millions of copies of books containing erroneous facts, wrong words used and incorrect spelling. it goes into feeding its pupils which is far from their objectives.
18. Originally I was going to say TOURISM but after reading the pro-education answers I must vote for education. NENA, CDO and the others have won me over.
19. Education because this is the sector in our country that needs enhancement in order to be globally competitive. A solid foundation in education is what a Filipino student needs.A well-equipped teacher in a well-equipped school is of prime importance. Government initiative and support is necessary to achieve this.
20. EDUCATION
21. education, no one's born knowing ,everyone needs to learn.
22. neither. the government needs to focus on the filipinos' basic needs - food clothing, shelter and health.