CANADA DONATES FUNDS FOR IFUGAO SCHOOLS
MANILA, November 18, 2004 (STAR) By Pia Lee-Brago - Recognizing the Philippines’ need for resources in improving its education system, the Canadian government has donated P1.3 million in development assistance to benefit schools in Ifugao province.
The funds will be used to train teachers and purchase classroom materials for preschools of O.B. Montessori in the municipalities of Lagawa, Lamut, Kiangan, Mayoyao and Banawe under the school’s "Pagsasarili" program.
"Pagsasarili" is an outreach program of the O.B. Montessori Child and Community Foundation that utilizes the Montessori’s system of education with an abbreviated training course for community teachers using an economical package of classroom materials.
Canadian Ambassador Peter Sutherland with Counsellor Gerard Belanger of the Canadian International Development Agency turned over the symbolic cheque of P1,336,250 to Ambassador Preciosa Soliven, secretary-general of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) National Commission of the Philippines, during the Manila Overseas Press Club (MOPC) breakfast forum at the Ristorante La Dolce Fontana in Greenhills, San Juan.
The ceremony was witnessed by Italian Ambassador Umberto Colesanti. Grants from the Italian government have financed Montessori teacher training for years, including that of Soliven’s, enabling her to initiate the O.B. Montessori system in the Philippines 38 years ago.
Her five main schools and 12 O.B. Montessori Pagsasarili schools in slum and rural areas now have a combined enrolment of more than 6,000 students.
Sutherland lauded the impressive display of commitment and dedication of Filipinos they work with in development projects funded by the Canadian government.
He also expressed satisfaction with the implementation of Canada’s development projects in the Philippines especially in areas where assistance is badly needed.
The Canadian envoy however observed that Filipinos continue to look for jobs abroad because they are not able to find better opportunities here.
"That is one of the foremost challenges the government faces. The challenge is to find opportunities so that talented individuals will not leave," Sutherland said.
Although he acknowledged government efforts to convince Filipino workers to stay as well as stabilize the fiscal situation of the country, Sutherland highlighted the need for the administration to invest more on education, health and physical infrastructures like roads.
For Colesanti, his advice to Filipinos amid trying financial times comes on a more "personal" note.
"My suggestion is a very delicate point and that is to give up cockfighting," said Colesanti, explaining that the Filipinos’ love for cockfighting reflects the country’s unstable political system.
Cockfighting, or sabong in the local language, is a favorite national pastime which is said to illustrate the Filipinos’ propensity for gambling.
"What I suggest to the Philippines is personal. If you are used to see cockfighting and breed cocks for fighting, it will be in your political system and in your lives, and you may never move far," Colesanti said in obvious reference to the country’s fragmented and unstable political landscape.
He also urged Filipinos abroad to help in the building of "good propaganda" for the country.
"They should organize themselves abroad to influence the government of the host country. Filipinos can be the best ambassadors and become good on propaganda, exactly what the Italians have done abroad," Colesanti said.
Colesanti and Sutherland were guest speakers at the MOPC dialogue where they discussed trade, aid and cultural ties between their countries and the Philippines, and the prospects of closer ties in terms of cultural and economic exchanges, investment, employment, and other issues.
The breakfast forum was presided by MOPC president Tony Lopez and its chairman Max Soliven, who is also STAR publisher and chairman of the board.
Reported by: Sol Jose Vanzi
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