COTABATO CITY - The recent gang-rape of and slay-attempt on a nurse-trainee in Maguindanao will not disrupt health services in the province in particular and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) in general, authorities have assured. "We will continue to strengthen our health services in the autonomous region especially in the countryside through the NARS Program," Norma C. Lidasan, focal person of the Nurses Assistance for Rural Services (NARS) Program, told journalists at the weekly Tapatan sa ARMM media forum. However, Lidasan said the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) office in ARMM has opted to pull out momentarily the four other NARS trainees from South Upi town in Maguindanao where the tragic assault on a 21-year-old nurse took place last Saturday.
The NARS program, which provides a P8,000 monthly stipend to each nurse-trainee, is subsidized by the DoLE and implemented by the Department of Health (DoH) in Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi provinces and Marawi City, all component areas of ARMM. (Ali G. Macabalang) World Teacher's Day on Oct. 5 PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur - Public elementary and secondary schools in Western Mindanao have prepared appropriate activities to mark World Teachers' Day on Oct. 5, the Department of Education (DepEd) Region 9 office here said. Dr. Walter O. Albos, regional director of DepEd, said the date is a memorable day as it gives the country a rare opportunity to recognize the major task given by society to teachers - that of molding the mind of Filipino children. Quoting Education Secretary Bro. Armin A. Luistro's latest memorandum, Albos said the first Tuesday of next month "is a day to honor our teachers who play a critical role in guiding our children and in providing them life long learning." (T. Pe. Rimando) Comelec Lists 5 Areas of Concern
