Zamboanga City’s good practice in the implementation of the education program is featured in the national government’s Official Gazette which is managed and maintained by the Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office.

Entitled “Deped chief amazed by Zambo LGU education efforts”, the article is a contribution from the Communications Unit of the Department of Education and was mainly based on Education Secretary Armin Luistro’s visit to Zamboanga City last August.

The article, dated September 4, 2010 reads as follows: In his recent visit to Zamboanga City, Education Secretary Armin Luistro could not help but praise the efforts being done by Zamboanga City, with the leadership of Mayor Celso Lobregat, to address the challenges of the city’s state of education.

Sec. Luistro’s visit to Zamboanga City not only allowed him to personally see the beauty of the city for the first time but also appreciate the efforts put by local government officials to help the national government in its education reforms.

Satisfied with the performance of the city, Luistro was caught saying, “I have only but good praises for the leadership of Mayor Lobregat and the entire Zamboanga City community for putting education on top of their priority.”

Luistro also added that Zamboanga City’s story is something that should be emulated by cities and provinces around the country.

“Initiatives from the local governments that support the education sector must be replicated.  Zamboanga City is one proof that when local government collaborates with the efforts of the national government, the outcome will lead to a more stable society,” Luistro told.

In his visit to the mayor’s office, Luistro was informed that the city government invested P600 million of its local funds for education.

The DepEd chief stressed the importance of putting education as on top because “education is the greatest equalizer one society needs. An informed society will be eventually liberated from the long-term problems that have been haunting the nation.”

Luistro visited Zamboanga City to attend the 2nd Mindanao Bishops-Catholic Education Association of the Philippines Conference held at the Ateneo de Zamboanga University. He was asked to talk about “Education for peace and development in Mindanao: Opportunities, Challenges, and Ways Forward.”

As this developed, Mayor Lobregat said he is humbled by Sec. Luistro’s good words and stressed that the city government will aggressively continue its assistance and support to the education sector even if it the function is not devolved to the local government unit.

Because of sound fiscal management, the Lobregat administration is able to implement millions worth of projects specifically for education without securing loans from any financial institution.