A Catholic prelate on Thursday blamed the continuous decline in enrollment in Catholic schools to the country’s poor economy.

Msgr. Gerardo Santos, president of the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP) and the Manila Archdiocesan Parochial Schools Association (MAPSA), said the low enrollment turn-out in Catholic schools may be traced “on the economic difficulties and financial woes faced by Filipino families.”

“When Catholic schools increase their tuition and other school fees, many parents consider transferring their children to public schools,” he said as he called on the government to address the problem. Parochial and mission schools reported the biggest decline in enrolment.

Other problems faced by Catholic schools, said Msgr. Santos, include the increasing number of school drop outs and the lack of teachers, many of whom have opted to work abroad or have transferred to public schools. (Christina I. Hermoso)

Ifugao bags two "Eskwela" awards
An elementary school and a high school in Lamut, Ifugao bagged national awards in the search for the best implementer of the Department of Education’s (DepEd’s) “Brigada Eskwela” project for School Year 2009-2010.

The Brigada Eskwela national awardees were the Nayon Elementary School in Barangay Nayon, here, and the Hapid National High School in Barangay Hapid, also in this municipality.

Conrado Buccat, Principal of Hapid National High School (HNHS) said stakeholders donated materials such as cement, steel bars, and hollow blocks for the construction of the school fence, concrete tables, as well as the repair of classroom ceilings.

The stakeholders, composed of parents, women’s organization, barangay council, the local government, police and the Hapid United Family Association, pulled together P50,000 and offered their help in the actual repairs and clean-up.

Buccat and Nayon Elementary School principal, Juliet Apiit, is also an awardee for successfully tapping community support for the project. (Dexter A. See)

Coast Guard to give final sea review for GMA
The Philippine Coast Guard is set to give a final sea review in honor of outgoing President Arroyo along Manila Bay on June 29, a day before she steps down from her post.

Coast Guard Chief Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo said that the sea review is their way of expressing gratitude to Mrs. Arroyo for her contributions to the maritime industry, particularly the recent passing of the PCG Law that equipped them with the rules and regulations that would intensify their capability to monitor and implement the safety regulations in the country.

"During the time of Mrs. Arroyo, the proposal for the Coast Guard to acquire seven helicopters passed the scrutiny of the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) and the Cabinet committee level," Tamayo added.

But the Coast Guard Chief clarified that it will be up to the new administration of President-elect Aquino if they will approve the financing scheme made by the Department of Finance recently.

Coast Guard Officers and enlisted personnel, together with Auxiliary Unit (PCGA), will participate in the final sea review for Arroyo. There would be demonstrations of sea vessels of the fleet unit and air assets from the Coast Guard Aviation Group. (John Carlo Cahinhinan)