PGMA orders DOE, DepEd to conduct 'humanitarian offensive' in Basilan and Sulu
Manila (21 August) -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ordered the Department of Energy (D0E) and the Department of Education (DepEd) today to conduct a "humanitarian offensive" in Basilan and Sulu to assist civilians affected by the ongoing military offensive against Muslim terrorists in Mindanao's two southernmost provinces.
The President issued the order during the opening of the command conference she convened this morning with officials of the DOE, National Power Corporation (NPC), Power Sector Asset and Liabilities Management (PSALM), National Transmission Corporation (Transco), National Electrification Administration (NEA) and the Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC) at the DOE's main office in Taguig City.
The "humanitarian offensive" includes the putting up of solar-powered science laboratories "in the hinterlands of Basilan and Sulu" to enable students to continue their studies despite the fighting.
"We'd like to do a humanitarian offensive in Basilan and Sulu and the assignment of the DOE, together with the DepEd, would be to put up solar-powered science laboratories for students in the hinterlands of Sulu and Basilan," she said.
Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes said his office will act immediately on the President's instruction.
Government troops are pursuing Muslim terrorists behind the July 10 ambush of a military contingent that resulted in death of 14 Marines, 10 of whom were beheaded by the ambushers. (PIA) [top]
