CATECHISM RETURNING TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS

President Arroyo ordered the Department of Education yesterday to
restore the teaching of catechism in public schools nationwide.

Speaking at the first anniversary celebration of the Philippine
National Police anti-drug task force, Mrs. Arroyo said she was
concerned that values formation was no longer part of the public
school curriculum.

"I have found out in my going around the country and putting up day
care centers... that we no longer have religious instructions in
public schools," she said.

Mrs. Arroyo said she taught catechism to grade school students when
she was in high school at the Assumption Convent.

"But now that system is gone supposedly in the name of the separation
of church and state," she said. "And that is why I would like to
instruct our Department of Education to allow (non-government
organizations) of various religions to teach values formation once
again in our public schools."

Values formation will help strengthen the moral and spiritual fiber of
school children in their formative years, she added.

Mrs. Arroyo said the anti-drug task force under the command of Deputy
Director General Edgar Aglipay is one of the chief enforcement arms of
the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.

"And I'm glad to be able to come and face you today with a fresh
mandate, and the will to confront all crimes and forces that threaten
our political and economic security," she said.

Among the awardees in yesterday's ceremonies was Archbishop of Cebu
Ricardo Vidal who was recognized for his support of the government's
anti-drug campaign.

Assisted by new Interior Secretary Angelo Reyes, PNP chief Director
General Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. and Aglipay, Mrs. Arroyo presented a
glass trophy to Vidal and the outstanding policemen awarded for their
part in busting drug syndicates.

"Just to point out how successful you were in taking down 239 local
drug groups since last year, congratulations for a job well done,"
Mrs. Arroyo told Aglipay.