Bringing government closer to people and the people closer to government.

This was the case when Senator Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino and Congressman Alfredo “Albee” Benitez visited Barangay Alegria in Murcia today (October 20) for a dialogue at the Alegria Elementary School to get a first hand brief of the state of the public elementary and high schools in the area.

Senator Bam Aquino and Cong. Albee Benitez at the Alegria Elementary School in Barangay Alegria, Murcia.

The meeting was attended by Murcia Vice-Mayor Gerardo Rojas, Alegria Punong Barangay Teresita Macaron, DepEd NIR Regional Director Gilbert Sadsad, Assistant Schools Division Superintendent Gladys Amylane Sales, DPWH District Engineer Jaime Javellana, Alegria Elementary School Principal Norberto Vallente, Alegria National High School Principal Lelanie Rivera, and Murcia National High School Principal Joel Samodio.

Dialogue with Senator Bam and Cong. Albee. (left to right) DPWH's Jaime Javellana, CHMSC VP-Academic Affairs Janet Espinosa, Alegria ES principal Norberto Vallente, NIR assistant schools superintendent Gladys Amylane Sales, Cong. Albee Benitez, DepEd NIR Director Gilbert Sadsad, Senator Bam Aquino, Murcia VM Gerry Rojas, Alegria HS principal Lelanie Rivera, Talotog Punong Barangay Teresita Vinas, Alegria Punong Barangay Teresita Macaron, and Murcia Councilor Adion Santiago.

Also present were Janet Espinosa, Academic Affairs Vice-President of the Carlos Hilado Memorial State College who presented a tie-up program with the Murcia secondary schools and Rotaract official Dr. Cris Sorongon who turned over a set of books as donation to the Alegria National High School.

Rotaract officer Dr. Cris Sorongon (3rd from left) turns over a set of books for the Alegria National High School received by principal Lelanie Rivera (5th from left). Joining the turn-over are Cong. Albee Benitez, Alegria ES principal Norberto Vallente, Senator Bam Aquino, DepED NIR Director Gilbert Sadsad and DPWH DE Jaime Javellana.

Senator Aquino who chairs the Senate Committee on Education spoke on priority programs for educational development among them free tuition at state universities and colleges, “trabaho centers” for senior high school all over the country, strengthening the Alternative Learning System, more benefits for teachers, and to address the dire need for more school buildings.

Cong. Albee with principal, teachers and students of the Alegria National High School and Murcia National High School.

Congressman Benitez who authored the Cyber-Education bill in the 16th Congress, stressed on his priority attention to bring the e-classroom or classroom of the future to as many public schools not only in his district but also beyond, to enable more young people better access to opportunities in the highly competitive global workplace.

Cong. Albee with teachers of the Alegria Elementary School.

Both legislators engaged participants in a lively exchange of situationers and current pressing concerns in teaching and learning. Also in attendance were some Murcia councilors, representatives of pupil and student governments, parents, teachers and other barangay leaders. *