Senator Alan Peter Cayetano on Saturday kicked off this year’s Taguig Sports League by reaffirming the City’s commitment to providing the needs of its young citizens for a long and healthy life.
“I want your sports fest to begin there. I want you to understand that you are important to God, to us, and to Taguig,” he said as he addressed the youth during the league’s opening program on April 29, 2023.
The basketball league was organized by the City Government of Taguig led by Mayor Lani Cayetano and the City’s Sangguniang Kabataan (SK).
Speaking before around 10,000 young and adult Taguigeños, the senator reassured the city’s youth that they are not “saling-pusa” or unimportant in the LGU’s goals for the City.
“Bakit natin ginagawa ang sports fest? Kasi gusto sana namin y’ung generation niyo, abutin niyo ang 500th year celebration ng Taguig. Sixty-four years from now, wala na kami, kayo nandyan pa,” he said.
“Sa Taguig po, lahat ay kinikilala at binibigyan ng halaga,” he added.
Also present in the opening program were athletes Shaun Ildefonso of Rain or Shine, Asi Taulava of NLEX Warriors, Jeron Teng of Converge Fiberxers, Poy Erram of TNT Tropang Giga, Rachel Austero of PLDT Hitters, Kathleen Faith Arado of PLDT Spiker, Rhea Katrina Dimaculangan of PLDT Spiker, and Jolly Co from the Jiu Jitsu PH National Team.
Cayetano urged the young Taguigeños to stay away from bad habits and influences, adding that having the “right attitude” and knowing where to invest their time are the key to reaching their full potential.
The senator also encouraged them to make the most of the facilities in the City, especially the sports amenities which he said were built by the City Government with them in mind.
“Kung mapaganda man natin itong Lakeshore at iba pang parte ng Taguig katulad noong gumanda ang BGC, Arca South, o McKinley, pero kung napunta naman tayo sa ilegal na droga, sa pagsusugal, [wala ring silbi],” he told them.
“Kayo ang inspirasyon namin ni Lani. Lahat ng itinatayo naming ito sa Taguig, hindi para sa amin ito – para sa inyo,” he added.
