Education is ticket to better life, says PGMA

For President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, investing in human resource, particularly in education, is tantamount to giving the future generation a ticket to a better life. This, in gist was the message read for her by Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita during the recognition rites for the 2009 Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines (TOSP) this morning at the Rizal Hall of Malacañang. “My administration gives premium to education because investment in human resource is one of the best investments for any country,” Ermita quoted the President in her message. Through the Department of Education (DepEd), the President said various scholarship programs and jobs expo have been providing employment and other opportunities to thousands of youth every year in the state colleges and universities (SUCs) and through the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). The President said her “One Town, One Scholar” program has ensured that the best public high school graduate from each of the country’s 1,500 municipalities, especially those who have no financial means, will get a college education starting June this year. The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) allocated some P46 million from its existing budget for the program that started June this year, while succeeding funding requirement for the town scholars would be incorporated under CHED’s annual proposed budget. As a signatory to the “One Town, One Scholar” program, the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) has expressed support to the CHED’s plan to double or even triple the number of town scholars depending on the capacity of member municipalities. The President said these programs will provide enough opportunities and a ticket to a better life for the country’s youth. Before reading the President’s message, Ermita led the awarding rites for the 2009 TOSP winners who were selected from among the 33 finalists. The 2009 TSOP were Roger Flores of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA); Miguel Antonio Garcia (University of San Carlos, Cebu City); Aidel Paul Belamide (UP Los Banos); Ann Crusit (University of Bohol); Paul John Gesta (Univesity of Cebu); Adrian Clarc Mundin (Ateneo de Manila University); Stacy Danika Alcantara (Silliman University); Stephen Alexeus Baltazar (University of San Carlos); Nicole Marie Villarojo (De La Salle University); and Carlos Gerogalin Jr. (West Negros University). Assisting Ermita were CHED Chairman Emmanuel Angeles, RFM Foundation chairman Jose Ma. Concepcion III, Jose “JoeCon” Concepcion Jr. and National Book Store president Alfredo Ramos. TOSP is an annual nationwide search that started in 1961 which honors outstanding Filipino students who have excelled not only in their studies but also in fulfilling their social responsibilities. The TOSP is organized by the RFM Foundation in cooperation with CHED and National Book Store.

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Palace offers prayers for ailing former President Cory Aquino

Malacanang today joined the nation in praying for the speedy recovery of former President Corazon Aquino from her colon cancer and for the family members to have strength in their trying times. Deputy Presidential Spokesperson, Dr. Anthony Golez told reporters over lunch that when the Palace heard about the condition of the former president, a minute of silent prayers were offered for her recovery. Golez, however, said he is not aware of any plans to hold special masses for the former President or if there have been masses scheduled in her honor. On whether President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has any message for the former president, Golez said “aside from the prayers for the former president, we are also praying for the family members for strength while they are in their trying times.” Mrs. Aquino, who led the country after the ouster of former President Ferdinand Marcos in 1986, is credited with restoring freedom and democracy for the people. She led the revolutionary government and formed a panel to draft the 1987 Constitution. This same constitution is now the subject of proposed changes, with President Arroyo stressing in previous State of the Nation Addresses the need for amending some of the economic provisions in view of current realities.

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PGMA SLEX-STAR project now operational -- Esperon

Some of the priority programs and projects that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo identified in last year’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) are now functional and fueling economic activities in many parts of the country, Presidential Management Staff (PMS) Director General Hermogenes Esperon Jr. said today. In a press briefing at the Manila Ocean’s Park today, Esperon particularly cited the South Luzon Expressway- Southern Tagalog Arterial Road (SLEX-STAR) project, which is now 99.9 percent complete and fully operational. With the completion of SLEX, Star 1 & 2, the traffic situation from Alabang Viaduct to Sto. Tomas, Batangas onwards to Batangas City and vice versa has improved a lot, providing smooth travel and efficient delivery of goods from Southern Luzon to Metro Manila. The project consists of the following: Toll Road 1 (Alabang Viaduct), Toll Road 2 (Sta. Rosa-Calamba in Laguna) and Toll Road 3 (Calamba-Sto. Tomas, Batangas) which will directly connect SLEX to STAR. STAR Tollway is composed of STAR 1, the 22.16 kilometer four-lane road from Sto. Tomas to Lipa City which was completed in 2000, and STAR 2, the 19.74 kilometer four-lane asphalt concrete surface from Lipa City to Batangas City. Esperon said the project provides positive impact to the people’s lives and the country’s overall economy as it opens a new center of business and commerce in the South, thereby decongesting Metro Manila. He assured that before the President ends her term in 2010, all her big infrastructure projects will be completed by the end of the year. “President Arroyo wants the priority infrastructure programs and projects, or those identified in her SONA to be completed this year. That’s what we will do,” Esperon said.

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