Soldiers to have e-mail accounts

Soldiers to have e-mail accounts

MANILA (DPA): President Joseph Estrada has directed the
military to provide all its personnel with e-mail accounts, a
government statement said on Sunday.

According to the statement, Estrada wanted the e-mail accounts
to be established within the year.

"Each and every soldier must be given a mailbox," Estrada
said. He noted that through e-mail and the Internet, "every
soldier can easily communicate with their headquarters and easily
access the websites we have established for them and our public."

Estrada earlier ordered the armed forces to set up Internet
sites about its various programs, including a 15-year plan to
modernize the Philippine Army, Navy and Air Force.

The military's Retirement and Separation Benefits System was
also directed to set up a website to provide soldiers with
information about their pension fund contributions.