KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato – The Department of Education (DepEd) has enjoined all public and private elementary and secondary schools in Mindanaoand other regions to renew efforts to strengthen respect and allegiance to the Philippine flag. Region 12 office of DepEd Director Luz Almeda said the move is in accordance with DepEd Order No. 83 issued by Education Secretary Jesli A. Lapus which her office here received recently. Almeda said Lapus’ directive took cognizance of the significance of the national flag as a symbol of the country’s sovereignty and unity. According to Almeda, Lapus issued specific guidelines on the use of the Philippine flag, as follows: That actual singing of the National Anthem during flag raising and retreat must not be replaced by canned music; No tattered or badly faded flag should be allowed to fly in any school or DepEd office; and, instructions on the proper display and use of the Philippine flag, prohibited acts on the use of the flag, and on the singing of the National Anthem will be observed in accordance with the provisions of Republic Act No. 8491. Almeda said the DepEd chief directed all education directors, schools division superintendents and heads of private and public schools to monitor the strict compliance with his order and to institute appropriate action on erring institutions or school personnel found violating his directive. (Tony Pe Rimando)

205 POOR YOUTH GET SCHOLARSHIPS

SURIGAO CITY – At least 205 youths coming from poor families availed of the scholarship program of the provincial government in Surigao del Norte. The latest was the 53 youths that qualified to the standards of the scholarship program. All the scholars are now studying in various colleges in this city. Some of the scholars are studying at the Surigao State College of Technology and Surigao del Norte College of Agriculture and Technology. The scholarship program of the provincial government for the poor families is the brainchild of Surigao del Norte Gov. Robert Ace Barbers. But only those who could pass the interviews and requirements of the provincial government and those who pass the entrance examination can avail of the program. When accepted, the scholars will receive several benefits from the program, which include free tuition, monthly cash allowance, cash money for their projects in every semester and other school needs. Barbers is hoping that the scholars will maintain their good grades and school standing until they complete the four-year college course. “I want these scholars to be the inspiration of the youth in my province,” he said. (Mike Crismundo)

GOV’T AIDS POOR PEOPLE IN BUTUAN

BUTUAN CITY – About 200 persons from various depressed villages in this city received land titles from President Arroyo though the “Handog Titulo ni Gloria” program during a simple ceremony initiated by the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) Nasipit at its compound in Barangay Bading, here. Although President Arroyo was not present at the ceremony, the people who have been awarded with land patents have expressed happiness for acquiring lands that they have been tilling for years from the government. The chieftain of the coastal village of Masao in this city Thelma Perez said she was very happy after 40 of her constituents have been awarded with land titles by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). Perez said the people were very grateful to the President for giving them the lands that they have been tilling for several years for free. Caraga Regional Executive Director Edilberto S. Buiser said that each of the beneficiaries have either got an average size of 5,000 square meters for agricultural land or 100 square meters for residential lands. (Mike Crismundo)