In a series of dialogues with local officials, teachers, and civic leaders in Palawan, Bulacan, and Pangasinan during the past few days, the Speaker said he has received assurances of support from education officials in China, Japan, and the United States for his proposal to enable Filipino students to gain greater and speedier access to knowledge. He said he expects this "to revolutionize Philippine education."

He said all the high education officials he has talked to in many developed countries "were just too eager to help us reacquire our preeminence in education and other fields because they know us to be gifted, intelligent, God-fearing, and peace-loving people."

In the towns of San Fabian, San Jacinto, Manaoag, Mangaldan, and Calasiao in Pangasinan, and various barangays in the city of Dagupan, De Venecia was cheered by teachers and students as he announced new appropriations for computers and other high-tech equipment.

"We have to jump and catch up with our prosperous neighbors and the rest of the developed countries," he said.

De Venecia said his travels have given him fresh feedback and firsthand information about the Filipino people’s sentiments on the administration-supported move for a shift to a unicameral parliament which, he said, could be realized "by September" this year.

Addressing concerns that next year’s local elections may be scrapped, De Venecia told local officials: "Just go on doing your work with dedication, sincerity, and honesty, and you are a winner anytime." (Jun Velasco)