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PGMA back in Catanduanes for school visit
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CARAMORAN, Catanduanes -- President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, hours after arriving from Shanghai, China
visited this remote town to preside over the groundbreaking of a P1.6 million school building project at the
Caramoran Rural Development High School.
It was her second trip to this typhoon-prone province in as many months, as she continued her swing of the
regions to either inspect or open infrastructure and other public projects, big or small, that she said she
intends to be her legacy to the people before she bows out of Malacanang on June 30.
At the Caramoran school, the President lowered a ceremonial capsule to signify the start of the construction of
a three-classroom building as a replacement for the old one razed by fire last February 11.
Last April 29, she was also at the Catanduanes State Colleges in the capital town of Virac, where she
inspected the typhoon vulnerability of schoolbuildings there and viewed a computer laboratory.
In Caramoran, she instructed Department of Education Secretary Mona Valisno, who was with her, to generate
funds for the construction of new schools buildings in the town.
“Di dapat matigil ang pag-aaral (Classes should not stop),” the President said as she implied before the
crowd of students, teachers and parents that the building will be her gift to them to ensure the bright future of
the young generation.
The President said education comes hand in hand with technology, pointing out that in Catanduanes,
computer laboratories have been set up in at least 34 schools under a special program of hers.
During her April visit, the President had reminded the local populace that since the start of her term in 2001, the
government has already plowed into the province P3.1 billion for some 768 roads, bridges, flood controls and
water supply projects.
She told local leaders led by Governor Joseph Cua that tourism be made a priority program because “tourism
is the future of Catanduanes.” She cited the province’s pristine beaches and majestic waves, especially in
Baras town which she visited in 2002.
Arroyo said that Catanduanes will be a ‘surfing paradise’ that will attract tourists and investments.
The President however stressed that aside from natural beauty of the island, access to the province’s tourist
destinations is very important.
“That’s why we initiated the construction of the Catanduanes circumferential road so that tourists will come
here and explore the province,” Arroyo said.
The President added that her administration has given much for the progress of the province. One of these
projects is the Doppler radar, to be finished by next year, which is designed to warn the province of incoming
typhoons
Governor Joseph Cua thanked President Arroyo for her two recent visits to Catanduanes and for giving priority
funding to schools.
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AFP to honor PGMA in a farewell parade
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The military will pay tribute to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, who is also the commander-in-chief of the
Armed Forces of the Philippines, with a testimonial parade and review tomorrow (Friday, June 11)at the AFP
headquarters in Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City.
A testimonial parade and review is a time honored military tradition wherein retiring military commanders are
usually given the last chance to review and bid farewell to the troops.
President Arroyo will bow out of office on June 30 but will continue government service as Representative of the
2nd District of Pampanga when the 15th Congress opens on the same day.
The Camp Aguinaldo ceremonies will start the arrival honors for the President led by Defense Secretary
Norberto Gonzales and AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Delfin Bangit at the GHQ Grandstand.
Military commanders and officers from AFP’s major service branches- the Philippine Army, Philippine Air Force
and Philippine Navy- and the unified commands will troop down to the parade grounds during the presentation
of commands.
During the testimonial review, the AFP will confer military honors on the President for her invaluable service not
only to the AFP, but also to the country and entire Filipino people.
The President will then troop the line for her last inspection before she delivers her message to the entire
defense and military establishment.
The ceremonies will end with a skydiving exhibition by the Philippine Air Force.
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