President Duterte groundbreaks seven secondary school buildings in Bulacan

CITY OF MALOLOS – Bulakenyo students can now study in a much nearer secondary school as President Rodrigo Roa Duterte led the “Groundbreaking of Gen. Gregorio Del Pilar National High School and Presentation of the Pandi National High School (Virginia Ramirez-Cruz High School Extension) Miniature Model” held at the Gen. Gregorio Del Pilar Elementary School in Brgy. Sta. Ana, Bulakan, Bulacan yesterday afternoon.

President Duterte, together with his common-law wife Honeylet Avanceña, former Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, Department of Education Sec. Leonor Briones, Gov. Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado, First District Cong. Jose Antonio Sy-Alvarado, Bulakan Mayor Patrick Meneses, and Public Schools District Supervisor Dulce Regina C. Flores, led the capsule laying of the blueprint of the soon-to-rise Gregorio Del Pilar National High School and unveiling of the miniature school building plan of the extension of Pandi National High School with Pandi Mayor Celestino Marquez.

In his speech, the President pointed out that education is indeed the most valuable gift to leave behind for the succeeding generations and that no Filipino youth should ever be denied access to high quality education, whatever circumstances they may be in.

“Once completed, these buildings will serve as a testament to our commitment to invest in the potential of our youth. These structures will promote their well-being, nurture their dreams, and become a breeding ground for future leaders of our country,” the President said.

The soon-to-rise two units of four-storey, 24-classroom buildings and one unit of four-storey, 12-classroom building worth P161,438,779.82 in Bulakan; and four units of four-storey, 20-classroom building worth P190,980,826.87 in Pandi, are expected to address classroom backlogs and to decongest nearby secondary schools of overpopulation.

President Duterte also addressed the sacrifices of the teachers in the country and said that they are next to receive a salary increase.

“I am willing to strike a deal in the presence of Secretary Briones sa mga maestra. We can make an agreement or manifesto or choose whatever kind of document itself. Kayo ang isusunod ko this year,” President Duterte said.

Meanwhile, Sec. Briones acknowledged Bulacan’s contribution to the country’s history and culture.

“Ang Bulacan ay mahalagang bahagi ng ating bansa. Isa ito sa mga probinsiya na nanguna sa rebolusyon laban sa mga Kastila, nangunguna sa ating pakikibaka at reform noong 1950s at 1960s. Ang Bulacan ay hindi lamang tahanan ng mga trabahante ngunit tahanan ng ating mga bayani,” the education secretary said.

She also laid their plan of reviewing the curriculum to include the life of the local heroes so that it could be passed to the next generations.

For his part, Alvarado thanked the President and his common-law wife Avanceña, for choosing the province of Bulacan to build additional classrooms.

“Sa pagkakaroon natin ng magagandang paaralan na tulad nito, magkakaroon ng katuparan ang ating kolektibong layunin na magkaroon ng kaalaman ang ating mga kabataan. We will be able to produce, hindi lamang po ang labor force, bagkus skilled and enlightened human resources to be able to face the challenges of economic growth and sustain development,” Alvarado said.

Also present in the groundbreaking in Bulakan, Bulacan were Second District Representative Gavini Pancho and Department of Public Works and Highways Asec. Antonio Molano.

After the groundbreaking ceremony, the President proceeded to the “Turnover of Housing Units for Wounded-In-Action (WIA) Soldiers and Wounded-In-Police Operation (WIPO) Under the Comprehensive Social Benefits Program and for LGU-CSJDM Beneficiaries within the Pleasant View Residences Package 3” held in Brgy. Graceville, City of San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan.

The President, who was welcomed by Senators Cynthia Villar and Joseph Victor Ejercito, National Defense Secretary Major Gen. Delfin Lorenzana, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process of the Philippines Gen. Carlito Galvez, Jr., PNP Chief Oscar Albayalde, NHA Gen. Manager Marcelino Escalada, Jr., Vice Gov. Daniel Fernando, City Mayor Arthur Robes and Cong. Rida Robes, thanked the WIA and WIPO for their valor and love for the country.

He also announced that he will totally ban firecrackers in the country.

“I will issue an Executive Order banning firecracker all together. I will ban firecracker, wala na!” the President said.