Quezon City will continue to fasttrack programs for the socio-economic advancement of the poor and the underprivileged, most especially in building more school buildings and facilities for public education.
Mayor Herbert M. Bautista gave this assurance to parents, teachers and students as Quezon City celebrated today (Sunday, June 19) the sesquicentennial or 150th birth anniversary of the country’s national hero Dr. Jose Rizal.
Speaking during a commemorative program at QC Hall, Mayor Bautista said Rizal’s example in attaining self-empowerment through education is the best proof of the Filipinos’
capacity for self-improvement.
“We must, therefore, give the children the necessary environment for learning. We must build more school buildings and facilities, especially now that we have kindergarten classes in our public elementary schools,” the Mayor said.
“QC intends to come up with a massive school building construction program to accommodate the city’s growing student population, which is expected to further increase with the full adoption of the K+12 curriculum next year,” the Mayor added.
According to Mayor Bautista, the city will be continually hard-pressed to construct more school buildings in District II, which accounts for the most number of students enrolled in the city’s public schools educational system.
“QC expects to see the fruition of Rizal’s dreams for a well-educated citizenry in the commemoration of his bicentennial,” Mayor Bautista said.
The city’s commemoration of Rizal’s 150th birth anniversary was highlighted by a floral offering at the Rizal monument at the QC Hall grounds. Mayor Bautista and Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte led city officials during the ceremony.
Participants to the floral offering ceremony also included Quezon Memorial Shrine curator Janice Tambo, QC Liga ng mga Barangay president Councilor Ranulfo Z. Ludovica, QC Police District Director P/CSupt. George T. Regis, QC division of city schools assistant superintendent Betty Cavo, and Knights of Columbus – QC Assembly Faithful Navigator Sir Knight Rodolfo Dauz.
Broadcaster Renato Dilig, popularly known as “Atong Balatong” recited a Tagalog translation of the poem “Mi Ultimo Adios”, which Rizal wrote at Fort Santiago before his execution at Bagumbayan (now Luneta) on December 30, 1896. -30- Mencio/ Precy/ Ramir/ Ej/ Maureen Quinones, PAISO
