School children and school officials from Zamboanga City, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi excitedly shopped for books during a book fair initiated by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

Some 281,000 assorted books were up for picks at the Tetuan Central Elementary School.

US Ambassador Kristie Kenney called on the students to take care of the books and to learn from them.

Walter Albos, Department of Education Region 9 officer in charge, welcomed the books donated by USAID. He said it will greatly help the pupils and their teachers.

"The Philippine government has less appropriations for books next year. While this, this is for free." Albos said.

Albos said he attended the budget hearing at the Lower House and said "our budget was even sliced. Only skin and bones are left, no more for books. Not even for engineering works such as school buildings."

The activity is the second book fair conducted by USAID in Mindanao.