Cagayan de Oro City (22 October) -- "The NARS program has given us the chance to learn, as well, as serve our fellowmen and receive a stipend at the same time, since it provides us our everyday allowance. We really would like to thank Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for this from the bottom of our hearts."

Thus, expressed Consuelo G. Chaves, a 21-year old registered nurse from Guinsiliban, Camiguin who is among the 25 trainees of the Nurse Assigned in the Rural Service (NARS), a program aimed at mobilizing unemployed registered nurses to the 1,000 poorest municipalities in the country.

"The NARS program has really helped us so much to enhance our knowledge, skills and attitude for a more effective and efficient nursing care to be extended to our fellowmen," Chaves also said.

Pres. Arroyo, herself, gave out the certificates of training to the NARS beneficiaries last Oct. 20, during the awarding ceremony held in Mambajao attended by local government officials, students and other guests of 30th Lanzones Festival of Camiguin celebrated annually from Oct. 18-23.

"The NARS trainees of the province has joined the 350,000 beneficiaries of the Comprehensive Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (CLEEP) which is part of the Administration's Economic Resiliency Plan to mitigate the impact of the global economic crisis," the President who was the honored guest of the festival said.

She then turned-over a check worth Php500,000 to the provincial government of Mambajao, Camiguin's capital town for the livelihood project s of 111 emergency workers, under the CLEEP program, assigned to clean its canals, plaza and shorelines.

Saying that the festival was an event she never missed to attend since she assumed office as the highest official of the country in 2001, she also thanked the people of the province for their support to her administration.