Albay officials back Gordon's 'text-for-change' bill

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Albay has expressed full support to Independent Senator Richard J. Gordon's 'text-for-change' bill through a resolution it unanimously passed seeking for the immediate passage into law of the measure.

Gordon expressed gratitude to the local officials of Albay, led by Governor Joey Salceda, for showing their unequivocal support to reforming the country's educational and health care systems by passing a resolution to endorse Senate Bill 2402, the Health and Education Acceleration Program (HEAP).

"I am thankful that the local executives and board members of the Province of Albay have seen the urgency of rehabilitating and accelerating our educational and health care systems. They have taken swift action by showing their support to bill's noble objectives," he said.

Resolution No. 2008-68, principally authored by Albay Board Member Herbert Borja and approved by the province's Sangguniang Panlalawigan last October 14, endorses the immediate passage of the HEAP Bill..

Gordon said the resolution shows that the local officials of Albay have seen the predicament in the country's public educational system, which is beset with the shortage of school facilities and manpower that contribute to the below average performance of students.

"Senate Bill No. 2402 seeks to address these pressing problems plaguing our educational system by creating the Health and Education Acceleration Program (HEAP) Corporation that will spearhead the rehabilitation of educational and health infrastructures in the country," the resolution read.

Under the HEAP Bill, telecommunications companies are required to remit a portion of their net income arising from local text messages, which will be earmarked for the country's health and education infrastructures.

Earlier, the local officials of Norzagaray, Bulacan passed a resolution expressing their full support for the immediate passage of the measure.

"We have been receiving support to our text-for-change bill from all sectors of society who see the importance of improving the public educational system. Now we are gradually gaining the support of different local government units who choose to act swiftly by joining us in this undertaking," Gordon said.