GMA here today for ICT Congress

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will be in Cebu today to grace the opening of the 2nd National Information and Communication Technology in Basic Education Congress to be held at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.

The chief executive is expected to arrive at the Mactan Airbase at 10:00 a.m. and will proceed to the hotel where she will deliver her 20-minute speech at around 10:30 a.m.

Cabinet members who are expected to be with the President include Department of Health Secretary Francisco Duque, Department of Tourism Secretary Ace Durano and Cabinet Officer for Regional Development in Central Visayas Secretary Cerge Remonde.

The Philippine Information Agency did not reveal what the President would tackle in her speech, but it is expected that she would expound issues on information technology and education.

The congress will open with a video presentation and welcome remarks by Roberto Romulo, chairman of the Foundation for Information Technology Education and Development, Inc.

There will also be plenary sessions wherein experts in the field of education and technology like Gerry White, chief executive officer of Education a.u. Limited from Australia and Secretary Ramon Sales of the Commission on Information and Communications Technology will deliver their keynote addresses.

Likewise, Department of Education Secretary Jesli Lapus will also discuss strategic plans for ICT in basic education.

After Arroyo's speech, there would be photo opportunities with her before she would leave for Guimaras province to check on the latest development on the oil spill. - Wenna A. Berondo