Speaker Prospero Nograles yesterday cited the strong cooperation between the Senate and the House of Representatives on their constitutional mandate giving the highest priority to education of the Filipino youth, a press release from his office said.

Nograles said that as of January 2010, the President has signed into law some 386 local bills, 145 of which mandate the establishment of new National High Schools spread nationwide, especially in far-flung areas of the country.

He credited the hard work and initiative inputted by members of the House who separately authored said 145 separate local bills, to benefit the promotion of education among the youth, particularly in the countryside.

He also cited the sterling performance of the members of the Committee on Basic Education chaired by Rep. Del de Guzman, and the Committee on Appropriations led by Rep. Junie Cua, which steered the measures until enactment, the press release said.

The enacted 386 local measures include the reapportioning of legislative districts in several provinces, to help hasten economic and infrastructure development through a just representation in Congress resulting in additional public works and other development funds.

The 145 new national high schools exclude the conversion into state universities of some 16 other existing colleges in the country, boosting the tertiary education program, the press release said.

The enacted local bills also lists the establishment of new engineering districts in strategic areas of the country to boost the implementation of public works infrastructure development projects that jive with local needs.

As of January 2010, there are about 93 various local measures still being reviewed by the Office of the President.  These do not include about two dozens national bills that need presidential action, the press release added.*

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