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.