CLARK FREEPORT – “Illiteracy is the root of all conflicts.” Thus said Education Secretary Jesli Lapus in his speech at the start of the 2nd Luzon Island Congress of the Vice Mayor’s League of the Philippines (VMLP) in Stotsenberg Hotel here over the weekend.
He urged the VMLP members in Luzon to help the Department of Education (DepEd) send and keep more people in schools.
“Education is the only permanent and long-term solution against wars and conflicts such as the case in Mindanao,” said Lapus.
He added that vice mayors could help the government sustain peace and development through free quality education.
“The DepEd could not do it alone. It needs all sectors of society, especially the parents to bring more children to school,” he said.
In his report to the VMLP, Lapus said the DepEd had limited the number of school dropouts in the country.
He disclosed that at least two percent of the total dropouts had been reduced from about nine percent to seven.
He urged local officials to “have genuine methods” to convince children to go the school.
Lapus said the mayor in Calbayog City, Samar had used bus services to ferry people to and from their schools. As a result, he added, there is a 100 percent school attendance in Calbayog.
Angeles City Vice Mayor Vicky Vega-Cabigting echoed the sentiments of Lapus. She said she had “given out bags and other school materials” to schoolchildren since last year despite her limited budget.
“I may not give everything they need but at least I could inspire them to stay in school and study well,” said Cabigting, who hosted the VMLP congress with Angeles City Councilor Maricel Morales.
Cebu City Vice Mayor Michael Rama, VMLP national president, said his city had “long supported” the various projects of the DepEd. He added that their city had “invested much in education.”
Others guests who graced the event include former Sen. Heherson Alvarez, presidential adviser for Global Warming and Climate Change, Pampanga 2nd District Rep. Juan Miguel Arroyo and Gov. Eddie Panlilio.
He urged the VMLP members in Luzon to help the Department of Education (DepEd) send and keep more people in schools.
“Education is the only permanent and long-term solution against wars and conflicts such as the case in Mindanao,” said Lapus.
He added that vice mayors could help the government sustain peace and development through free quality education.
“The DepEd could not do it alone. It needs all sectors of society, especially the parents to bring more children to school,” he said.
In his report to the VMLP, Lapus said the DepEd had limited the number of school dropouts in the country.
He disclosed that at least two percent of the total dropouts had been reduced from about nine percent to seven.
He urged local officials to “have genuine methods” to convince children to go the school.
Lapus said the mayor in Calbayog City, Samar had used bus services to ferry people to and from their schools. As a result, he added, there is a 100 percent school attendance in Calbayog.
Angeles City Vice Mayor Vicky Vega-Cabigting echoed the sentiments of Lapus. She said she had “given out bags and other school materials” to schoolchildren since last year despite her limited budget.
“I may not give everything they need but at least I could inspire them to stay in school and study well,” said Cabigting, who hosted the VMLP congress with Angeles City Councilor Maricel Morales.
Cebu City Vice Mayor Michael Rama, VMLP national president, said his city had “long supported” the various projects of the DepEd. He added that their city had “invested much in education.”
Others guests who graced the event include former Sen. Heherson Alvarez, presidential adviser for Global Warming and Climate Change, Pampanga 2nd District Rep. Juan Miguel Arroyo and Gov. Eddie Panlilio.
