STA. BARBARA – Retired Police Deputy Director General Reynaldo Velasco said it is imperative that the nation has a credible and honest elections “if we are to save democracy, bring stability and regain our nation’s pride.”

Velasco, speaking before teachers of Pangasinan at the Banaoang Central School where he graduated, urged all sectors of government particularly public school teachers to support the Philippine National Police’s Plan H.O.P.E., short for Honest, Orderly, Peaceful Elections.

While in his alma mater, Velasco donated some copies of the book “In A Class of Her Own” authored by a relative, Melandrew Velasco, who chronicled the life and times of one of the most prominent public school teachers, the late Angela Valdez Ramos, mother of former President Ramos.

Mrs. Ramos was an English teacher at the Pangasinan Vocational High School in Lingayen and wife of the late Ambassador Narciso Ramos.

In his speech, Velasco also addressed three major concerns of teachers namely: the upgrading of the pay scheme for public school teachers: information technology training for teachers to keep them abreast with the changing times; and, more English proficiency training to help the students cope with the challenge of 21st century.

“Pay scales of school teachers must now be upgraded to a level where they no longer need to work abroad and end up as domestic helpers in Hong Kong and Singapore, the retired general said.

He said that call centers and business process outsourcing companies in major cities in the country from Baguio, Dagupan to Davao offer the best opportunities to new college graduates.

These opportunities demand two basic qualifications; proficiency in English, and internet and computer literacy, he pointed out.