XSPB FEATURE

Update:  Pacific Plans and the PEP Coalition

Xavier-ICA Parent Group (XIPG)

Posted Tuesday, 17-Oct-2006 3:57 PM

     In April 2005, just as parents were about to enroll their children in school, Pacific Plans, Inc.  (PPI) shocked everyone without any warning, when it filed a petition for rehabilitation with a Makati Regional Trial Court (RTC). A new corporation, Lifetime Plans Inc., was formed where all viable assets of PPI were transferred while the traditional education plans stayed with a depleted PPI. Nationwide, around 34,000 students were affected, among whom, about 600 were from Xavier School.

Birth of the PEP Coalition

     Soon after, a motley group of parents formed Parents Enabling Parents (PEP) Coalition in order to oppose the petition for rehabilitation.  A core group and a legal team were formed and school chapters were organized.

XIPG – First School Chapter Organized

     A text brigade was set up in order to disseminate important announcements to the members. This was very useful during the time when tuition support for the school year was being released. A few weeks after classes opened, Fr. Johnny Go, S.J. allowed the XIPG Core to set up a table during all orientation days in order to facilitate membership registration, to answer questions from affected parents, and to disseminate Coalition information.

Updates from XIPG Representative, Steve Cua:

1. WHAT ARE THE GOALS OF XIPG?

XIPG gives an avenue for affected parents to support one another and work together for the common good.  Goals? Just three words: Honor Thy Contract. This is nothing personal.  We do not want their company to fail. We do not want them in jail. We just want a win-win solution. In the bigger spectrum, if people will not honor their business contracts, who will want to do business in the Philippines?  This advocacy also affects the future of the country.

2.  WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAPPEN NEXT?

What we want is simple. We did our part of the contract. PPI should do theirs. They should not leave us hanging until 2010. Again, this is not a personal fight against the owners of Pacific Plans. This is an advocacy for business firms to honor their contracts.

3. WHAT CAN THE AFFECTED PARENTS DO?

Hang on, keep the flame burning, and participate at meetings.  Keep abreast with hearings at the Senate. This is not just about our own kids but about the rest of the kids in this country. Be proactive.

4. HAS ANYTHING GOOD COME OUT OF THIS SITUATION?

Yes. The spirit of volunteerism and standing up for what is right. People who were timid, who stayed in the sidelines, are now getting involved.

     XIPG Representative Claudine Ragas Mangasing added that after the above interview, the Securities and Exchange Commission has since revoked the license of Lifetime Plans and PPI was required to come out with tuition support starting this year instead of 2010.

     If you are a holder of a traditional education plan from PPI and still have not joined the Coalition or XIPG, you are encouraged to do so. E-mail XIPG at xipg_pep@yahoo.com and leave a contact number, preferably a mobile phone. Someone will contact you to provide information on how to join. Visit the official website of PEP Coalition at www.pepcoalition.com.

     If you are already an XIPG member, continue monitoring events through the website. If you are not receiving XIPG e-mail advisories, send your e-mail address through the XIPG Yahoo address.

     If you are a plan holder of another pre-need company which has already filed for rehabilitation or if you suspect that your pre-need company is showing signs of being in financial trouble, do write the Coalition about it at concerns@pepcoalition.com.

Go back to the top ^