7,000 campus scribes attend Dagupan meet

DAGUPAN CITY — Some 7,000 delegates are taking part in the five-day National Schools Press Conference (NSPC) which kicks off today in this city.

Dr. Remedios Taguba, regional director of the Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS), said Undersecretary Ramon Bacani will keynote the opening program at the People’s Astrodome.

Dr. Carolina Guerrero, director of the Bureau of Secondary Education and conference chairperson, will declare the NSPC’s opening after Bacani’s speech.

In congratulating the NSPC’s organizers, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo urged all participants "to take a more active role in nation-building," adding that "everything is possible if we are united in effort and spirit to promote the growth and welfare of our community and our nation."

Dagupan Mayor Alipio Fernandez Jr. and city schools superintendent Erlinda Nava, who head the local technical committee, are in-charge of the delegates’ accommodations.

Taguba said Sen. Raul Roco, the newly appointed DECS secretary, begged off from the NSPC, as he has to wrap up his last days in the Senate. He will reportedly assume his new post on Feb. 12.

Gov. Victor Agbayani, Rep. Benjamin Lim, Mayor Fernandez and Dr. Lidinila Santos, director of the Bureau of Elementary Education, will give remarks, while Col. George Garma, assistant regional director, will present the guests and delegates.