Belmonte pushes for computer literacy

Newly elected Speaker Feliciano Belmonte (Lakas-NUCD-UMDP-Quezon City) vowed yesterday to push computer literacy among the country’s youth as a major key to the Filipino’s global competitiveness.

He also lamented that only children of rich and middle class Filipino families have access to computer education from elementary to tertiary levels.

"How can majority of our youth covered by the Philippine public school system be globally competitive when only a very insignificant number of such schools offer computer education to grade schoolers?" Belmonte asked.

Belmonte proudly revealed that public schools in his district are an exception, adding that he distributed some 800 computers to public schools in Quezon City’s fourth district.

Belmonte was the special guest speaker during awarding rites hosted by Greater Lagro barangay captain Manuel Tolentino who spearheaded a yearly "Greenest, Cleanest and Most Lighted Street" contest in the area.

Belmonte donated cash prizes for the contest won by residents of Sabado de Gloria Street (1st Prize); Sinulog Street (2nd Prize) and Misa de Gallo Street (3rd Prize). Belmonte was accompanied by Councilor Winnie Castelo.

Belmonte said that during his term as congressman of the fourth district, he saw to it that all public schools there could at least offer computer education from grade four to fourth year high school. "We can implement this program city-wide and nationwide."

"I was inspired to initiate this program in my district after I visited a private school in Quezon City which offers computer education from grade one to high school," Belmonte said, adding that "computer-literate graduates have a clear edge over non-literates when competing for jobs, especially abroad."

Among those who attended the awarding program were barangay kagawads led by Roy Osario, members of the Association of Street Coordinators headed by Nelo Astudillo, members of the Lagro Senior Citizens Association, and youth representatives.

Brgy. Captain Tolentino and Castelo endorsed the Quezon City mayoral bid of Speaker Belmonte in the coming May elections. In turn, Belmonte endorsed Castelo’s crack for a congressional seat. Tolentino is also running for a city council post.