LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – Senate President Franklin M. Drilon here challenged the fresh graduates of the State-run Benguet State University (BSU) by being the new partners of the government in achieving sustainable and inclusive growth that will propels the nation to be one of the economic tigers of the Asia-Pacific region.
“I share the pride and joy of your parents, loved ones, mentors and all the important people in this journey. Their sacrifices, endless patience and unconditional love contributed immensely to the person you have become,” Drilon stressed.
Drilon, who is also a product of the country’s public school system from grade school to law school, urged all the country’s graduating students to never stop learning, never stop pursuing excellence and for them not to embrace mediocrity in exchange for temporary convenience and rewards.
“Do not be afraid to carve your own niche. Blaze trails. Create new pathways,” Senator Drilon told the graduating students of BSU here Saturday.
Drilon reminded the graduating students to adhere to the age-old saying of the country’s hero, Dr. Jose. P. Rizal, that the youth is the hope of the fatherland by immensely to the government’s development efforts and to the promotion and protection of national interest.
According to him, the new batch of graduates should dedicate the productive years of their lives to the building of lives, strengthening communities in order to make the country great again.
According to him, the Aquino administration was able to initially bring back our country to greatness through its sincere, unrelenting and uncompromising campaign against corruption which resulted to the existence of transparent and accountable governance.
Senator Drilon said some of the graduates will be the successors of the current set of leaders of the nation, thus, they must pursue the uncompleted reforms in order to achieve our primordial goal of eradicating corruption and infusing into meaningful projects the savings for the benefit of the welfare of most Filipinos.
He cited the country’s future lies on how the youth will administer the affairs of government once they are in power and the ultimate way is following the footsteps of the Aquino administration that embarked on transparency and accountability in service.
He challenged the youth not to embrace the evils of corruption that continue to trample upon the gains of the administration but instead follow the right path that will lead the country to a significantly improved economic status and contribute in uplifting the living condition of the people.
Drilon claimed the Aquino administration was able to do its part in significantly reducing corruption in the bureaucracy over the past five years but there should be young and idealistic leaders who will be able to sustain the campaign and eventually establish a government that will be trusted by the people in the future.
He asserted proper decision-making and the adoption of the proper values and core principles will lead the way in molding today’s youth to become responsible and dedicated leaders of the nation in the future considering that the youth are now slowly taking over the bureaucracy. By Dexter A. See
