News Release

PGMA’S VISIT IN SORSOGON HIGHLIGHTS EDUCATION AND TOURISM

DONSOL, SORSOGON (February 23) – Two of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s ten-point projects were highlighted during her visit here on Monday, as part of her super region tour with an inspection of projects that underscore her milestone achievements over the past nine years as president.

From Legazpi airport, the President travelled by land to inspect the road accessibility which is also a very vital component in attracting tourists.

The President’s first stop was in Villa Hermosa in Daraga, Albay where she had a dialogue with the Philippine Army and Philippine National Police on peace and order situation of the province as well as security and safety of domestic and foreign tourists going to Donsol.

She commended both the PNP and DOT of the presence and the assistance provided by the well-trained Tourist-Oriented Police, Community-Oriented Police (TOP COP) ensuring the safety and security of tourists

Report showed no record of untoward incident happened in the municipality of Donsol especially to tourists visiting the place.

The President proceeded to Vitton Beach Resort in Brgy. Dancalan, Donsol amidst the multitude of crowd awaiting her visit.

PGMA with her interaction with the members of the media community underscored the importance of Donsol in the development of the Tourism Central Philippines Super Region.

Donsol, now is tagged as the “Whale Shark Capital of the World”, and has elevated itself from a sixth-class municipality in 2006 to a first-class municipality last year.

PGMA extended her warm appreciation and personally thanked the members of the media community for helping the government popularize the Donsol Whaleshark Interaction making it one of the top three tourism destinations globally and ranks third in terms of tourism revenue collection in the Philippines.

The media interaction was followed immediately by the switch-on activity of the internet connection under the computerization and internet connectivity program implemented by the Department of Education (DepEd) at the Donsol Comprehensive National High School (DCNHS).

During the switch on ceremony, the President was assisted by Press Secretary Crispulo Icban, Consultant to Department of Education Mona Valisno, Sorsogon Gov. Sally A. Lee,Jerome Alcantara and Schools Division Superintendent Marilyn Dimaano .and teachers of Donsol Comprehensive National High School..

Consultant to DepEd Mona Valisno presented to the President, to DCNHS teachers and to the local DepEd officials the diverse opportunities of the computerization program whereby teachers can integrate into the curriculum certain information accessed specifically from E-Learning sites and other sites that will provide both teachers and students access to educational global updates.

“It will also give them the accessibility to national government programs such as scholarship grants made possible by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), high school educational assistance (GASTPE), classroom construction, additional textbooks as well as English, Math and Science teacher’s training integrating ICT, among others,” Valisno said.

Schools Division Superintendent Marilyn Dimaano was grateful to the president saying that the computer units with internet connection installed in DCNHS will surely revitalize education and at the same time, equip students with skills that are marketable to the industry.

“Moreover, on the part of our teachers, the application of information technology in classroom instruction would increase efficiency in teaching and learning process and enhance competencies of students," she added.

The President after Sorsogon activities proceeded to the Misibis Bay Raintree Resort in Albay for a dinner and interaction with Albay media.

Following Sorsogon and Albay visit, the President will fly to Palawan and to Cebu and Bohol to complete her tourism tour. (BARecebido, PIA Sorsogon)