Political noise fails to dampen PGMA's commitment to serve
Manila (14 February) -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo continues with her governance unmindful of the political noise and her Cabinet fully supports her for that, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said today.
Duque said this shortly before the President arrived for the Vitamin A supplementation and gift-giving activity to the pupils of the San Lorenzo Ruiz
Elementary School this afternoon at the Karangalan Village in Manggahan, Pasig City.
"Ang buong Gabinete ay nasa likod ng Presidente sa pagganap ng kanyang mga gawain na bahagi ng kanyang regular na programa," Duque said.
Among those who welcomed the President were Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Jesli Lapus, Pasig City Mayor Robert Eusebio, Pasig Lone District Rep. Roman Romulo, National Nutrition Council (NNC) Executive Director Bernardita Flores, and San Lorenzo Ruiz Elementary School Principal Gil Andrade.
Just like today, Duque said the President's schedule in Pasig City is not politicking but part of her regular work to uplift the education sector through health programs for schoolchildren like the supplemental feeding program that started since 2006.
Romulo added that Charter Change is a virtual non-issue in the House of Representatives as they are also busy working, having passed some 40 bills during the first few days of newly-installed Speaker Prospero Nograles.
"Hindi pinag-uusapan sa Kongreso ang Charter Change, sa diyaryo lang," Romulo said.
During her visit, the President also led the distribution of iron-fortified rice and dental kits to schoolchildren under the President's Food for School Program.
Since the implementation of the supplementation and feeding program, the DepEd noted that students have shown significant improvement in their school performance that includes increased attendance, lesser absenteeism, and increase in the nutritional levels of pupils in beneficiary schools.
A special class of visually impaired pupils from the school's Special Education (SPED) rendered a song number while the President was being given a Valentine card especially made by the pupils. (OPS) [top]