Lapus to DTI, Valisno to DepEd, Favila to Monetary Board
MANILA,
March 9 (PNA) -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo yesterday announced the
appointment of Education Secretary Jesli Lapus as the new Secretary of
the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), replacing Peter Favila who
will be joining the Monetary Board as member.
The President also said she has designated Presidential
Assistant for Education Mona Valisno to replace Lapus in the Department
of Education (DepEd).
The President announced the newest changes in her cabinet in
two separate engagements today: the first during the graduation
ceremonies for 248 high school students of the San Sebastian College
(SSC-Recoletos) along Claro M. Recto, Manila and the second at the Go
Negosyo Summit at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.
In her speech before some 3,000 San Sebastian students, the
President said that almost 50 percent of all high school students are
now on government scholarships.
Earlier in the program, Commission on Higher Education
(CHED) Commissioner Nenalyn Defensor told the students that since the
start of the President’s term in 2001, a total of 636,581 students have
availed of government scholarships for which government has spent P6.5
billion through programs followed by the CHED, DepEd and in partnership
with private colleges and universities.
Included are the 1,500 students in the PGMA One-Town
One-Scholar (OTOS) Program; 71,960 students in the Assistance Financial
Education Program; 30,850 students in the Emergency Financial Assistance
for Education; 15,867 students in the PGMA Higher Education Loan
Program (HELP); 43,344 students in the Students' Assistance Fund for a
Strong Republic (SAFE 4 SR) Program; and 473,060 students availed of the
CHED Students Financial Assistance Program.
The President expressed hope that these unprecedented
scholarships for college and high school students will be continued by
the next administration.
The President said that for the remaining months of her
term, she will continue with her hands-on governance, focusing on
providing more power and growth to the regions to decongest Metro
Manila; the 3Es – education, economy, environment – to create
sustainable and equitable development; and the youth who are the “hope
for a better and brighter Philippines.”
Among those present were SSC president Fr. Anthony Morillo,
SSC high school principal Cristina Aliwalas, and Manila Rep. Zenaida
Angping. (PNA)
DCT/OPS/ssc
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