Capitol gives out Gwen’s controversial notebooks

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Education-7 and the Provincial General Services Office of the Capitol will start today the distribution of the 'controversial' school supplies particularly notebooks that bear the faces of provincial government officials.

This as the provincial government formally turned over yesterday more than 1 million notebooks and other school supplies to Deped-7 who will take charge in the distribution.

Dr. Arden Monisit, provincial schools division superintendent, explained the provisions of the term of reference he signed with the province agreeing that the notebooks will be covered by the recipients prior its use.

Monisit said they will be turning over the school supplies to the school principals who will be responsible in giving out the materials to the school advisers then to the students.

Included in the set of school materials that will be distributed are three notebooks, one pad paper, ruler, pencil and one bag.

Teachers will also be given one lesson plan and one class record.

The distribution of notebooks and school supplies was barred prior the election due to the anti-epal memorandum of the Department of Interior and Local Government prohibiting the printing and inclusion of names and pictures of government officials in government funded projects.

In the ceremonial turnover yesterday, it showed that notebooks, bags and teachers' aid printed with the face of suspended Governor Gwendolyn Garcia and other provincial board officials.

PGSO head Eva Encabo said they will start the distribution in the first district today.

Encabo said they have 1,018,365 notebooks plus another 111,000 of undistributed notebooks in 2011. One set would have three notebooks included.

Monisit said it would be enough for all students in the province since they have close to half a million enrolment in elementary, specifically kinder to grade eight students with the K to 12 Law in effect.

Encabo added that it would only include schools in municipalities which would make the supplies adequate.  (FREEMAN)