Baguio... meetings

Mansion House, Baguio City

Working on a Holiday is a common thing for people
who travel to this cool summer mountain holiday spot. It gives people a chance to focus and a little less distraction to be able to plan.

This lenten seasons agenda for government is full meetings and plans and implimentation sessions and assesments.

It's typical of work of Government and people in the Palace- up away in the City of Pines the thin mountain air makes it a perfect spot to do a little deep breathing and focus on issues placed before you.

One Item I saw on the Agenda - In the Education Department it's top agenda of the moment is - The Department of Education moving forward the Basic Education Assistance to Mindanao, an Australian Gov't-assisted project, will implement the Muslim educational roadmap in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

The plan is seeking to impact on some areas a more mainstream tollerant view of Islam and a way through Education opening the eyes of young muslims away from the extremist views of some groups that have slowly been entering the Madrasa system in th region - it is afterall the best way to defeat the ideology of hate by teaching peace to the young.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo Arroyo shares a light moment with Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez (second from right) and other members of her Cabinet before the start of the two-day Cabinet Holy Week Retreat Tuesday (April 11) at the Mansion House Conference Hall in Baguio City. Among those in photo with the President are (from left) Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza, and Government Mass Media Group Head Cerge Remonde (partly hidden, second row from right). (Oliver Marquez -- OPS-NIB Photo)

Good plan... good idea... books and ideas are cheaper than the alternative.

Baguio Cathedral Easter Sunday is where in the last few years the Annual message is made by the President and her official family.

I remember at the hieght of the SARS scare when they issued the statements to prove - and - rightly so that while there were health problems - the situation was not that bad.

It did have a good effect- and more aide to help the victims of the outbreak was speeded to the region at that time.

So far it's been a quiet time - ok a little bit of politcs is the normal situation.

Other issues on the press release pile today :

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's economic reform agenda are producing results.
Finance Secretary Margarito Teves said the dollar, gold and other foreign currencies held by the BSP hit a new all-time high of $20.84B at the end of March brought about by strong investment inflows and remittances form Filipinos working overseas.On the politcal front -

Cagayan de Oro City (13 April) -- Malacañang said snap elections are not the answer to our poisoned political atmosphere but a decision by an enlightened public to do away with and change the degenerated system.Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said the wound of the nation will never be healed if the opposition insists on personality change rather than institutional change. "The attacks on President Arroyo strike at the foundations of duly constituted authority and provide fodder for destabilization attempts," he said.He added that the Arroyo presidency shall continue to be the bedrock of political and economic stability and as a spearhead for reform for change."Snap polls have never been, and shall never be within our options. The opposition can try all they can, but we will not be a party to snapping the people's hope for a better future." Bunye said.


I talk about this more on an earlier blog....

And now a plug!!!! A picture I saw in the Daily Inquirer the other day brought back many memories of times of the past when I was growing up on Palawan. I remember the underground River as place we used to go to everytime a visitor came by to visit.
It seems to still be pristine and lush NGO's in partnership with local Government and the European Union's funding have done a lot to protect the place.


Sure there is usual infighting and bickering and contests to see who can hold their breaths the longest in a battle of wits of by mostly unarmed activists. But overall the place still looks great.

Thanks PDI!!! picture above was on the front page wensday - it can also be found on the website .... my only question is why is boatman not wearing a life vest ?????