Mark Alvin Raquiño of Gabu National High School (GNHS) made history in the Laoag City Department of Education (DepEd) history after he took top honors in the recently conclude National Rizal Essay-Writing Contest held in Manila.

The said contest is an annual event organized by the Order of the Knights of Rizal Supreme Council in Manila.

According to Dr. Cecilia P. Aribuabo, city schools division superintendent, though the contest was held in December 2004, she only received the results via fax message on the fourth week of March.

According to Aribuabo, who made the announcement during the weekly city government staff meeting at the City Hall held March 22, this is another big accomplishment for the GNHS as well as the whole city government.

She also extended her gratitude, during the same staff meeting, to the city government which is continually supporting the city DepEd financially as she acknowledged that without this, the awards garnered by students and pupils under the said office would not be possible.

Aribuabo added that whenever Laoag City students and pupils win awards, they not only carry their name and their school with them but also the name of Laoag as well as the mayor who leads it.

Other winners in the nationwide essay-writing contest were students from the Eastern Visayas, Iloilo and Bukidnon.

Laoag City Mayor Michael V. Fariñas later promised to reward Raquiño for his feat.

Meanwhile, the city’s local finance committee recently approved the release of P650,000 for the purchase of a school bus for the exclusive use of the city DepEd.

According to Fariñas the purchase was to lessen the expenses being incurred in transportation by students and pupils who compete in the regional and national levels.

The fund was sourced from the School Education Fund (SEF).

In view of this, Aribuabo once again thanked the mayor and the city government for the help they are extending to her office as she said with the school bus, they would no longer be scrounging for funds whenever their students and pupils need to compete outside the province.

Dominic B. dela Cruz