WELCOME REMARKS
(Publishing Forum, March 16, 2002
Sunrise Holiday Mansion, Tagaytay City)
Director Carolina Guerrero, Director MerlitaNolido, fellow PEPA officers, members, publishers, booksellers, writers, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, welcome!
On the occasion of the more than 50 years of existence of PEPA, we are holding this General Assembly to provide a yearly update on what PEPA has done as it relates to publishing circumstances here and elsewhere.
The election of officers was held last night. Congratulations are in order for the newly-elected officers.
One of the highlights of today’s activities is a forum on “Filipino Educational Publisher and the Changing Education Policy”wherein important officers from the Department of Education, National Book Development Board (NBDB) shall participate.
We shall be enlightened on “The Basic Education Curriculum” by our distinguished speakers and the important role of the NBDB as the bridging agency between DepEd and the textbook publishers. And the highlight, of course, will be the message of our keynote speaker.
We anticipate that our speakers shall give us insights on the new policy directions and parameters on Philippine education.
The more important question that shall be deliberated upon, I believe, is whether or not it is sound public policy to change educational parameters everytime there is a change of administration, and the pros and cons on the adoption of the proposed new Basic Education Curriculum.
The remarks and discussions during the proceedings could serve as the bases of resolutions that may be passed in this conference.
It is on these background that we welcome you all to this conference.