Volunteer's Speech of PGMA
PGMA's Speech during the 53rd Multiple District Lions State Convention
Olongapo City Convention Center Hall, Olongapo City, Zambales (17 May 2002)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MARAMING SALAMAT CONGRESSMAN GORDON SA IYONG PAGPAKILALA. AT SALAMAT SA INYO, SALAMAT KAY CITY MAYOR KATE GORDON, AT SALAMAT KAY TOURISM SECRETARY RICHARD GORDON SA INYONG PAG WELCOME SA AMIN LAHAT DITO SA NAPAKAGANDA AT NAPAKAGALING NA LUNGSOD NG OLONGAPO.
BAGO KO BATIIN 'YUNG IBA SABIHIN KO LANG NA PAG PINAGMAMALAKI NI KATE 'YUNG OLONGAPO MERON SIYANG 'K' KASI TINGNAN N'YO ITONG CONVENTION CENTER NA ITO NA ANG NAGPATAYO NITO AY ANG CITY NGUNIT SA DAHILAN KUNG BAKIT WALANG CHOICE ANG DBP KUNG HINDI IBIGAY SA KANILA 'YUNG CREDIT PARA MATAYO ITO AY MISMO 'YUNG WORLD BANK AY NAGSASABI NA SILA AY NARARAPAT AT SILA AY CREDITWORTHY AT ISANG HUWARANG LUNGSOD.
AT KANINA BAGO KAMI PUMUNTA RITO, ILAN SA MGA LIONS AY PUMUNTA RIN DOON NAG-USYOSO ACROSS THE STREET DOON SA KANILANG AMPHITHEATER, AT DOON AY NAGMAHAGI NG MGA SCHOOL SUPPLIES SA MGA BATANG PAPASOK MULA SA IBA'T-IBANG MGA MAHIHIRAP NA BARANGAY. AT 'YON DIN AY NANGGALING SA PROGRAMA NG DILG AT AUSTRALIAN FINANCING DAHIL KILALA RIN 'YAN AY BILANG GANTIMPALA NAMAN SA LUNGSOD NG OLONGAPO BILANG ISANG SA PINAKAMA-CHILD FRIENDLY CITIES NA HALL OF FAMER SILA.
AT BAGO NITO AY NANGGALING NAMAN KAMI DOON SA CITY HOSPITAL. NAALALA KO 'YUNG CITY HOSPITAL DAHIL NOONG AKO'Y -- EWAN KO SENADOR O VICE PRESIDENT -- AY NAG-CONTRIBUTE DIN AKO DOON DAHIL SI KATE LAHAT NG PINUPUNTAHAN KUNG MAGKO-CONTRIBUTE KASI SA CDF DAPAT SA HOSPITAL. TALAGANG BINUO NIYA 'YON AT NAKITA NATIN AY ISANG TERTIARY HOSPITAL NA 'YUNG STATE-OF-THE-ART NA MGA EQUIPMENT AY NANDOON KAYA NAGLILINGKOD ANG OLONGAPO CITY HOSPITAL HINDI LAMANG SA OLONGAPO, SA ZAMBALES, SA BATAAN, SA PAMPANGA, SA BUONG CENTRAL LUZON KAYA ANG OLONGAPO CITY, CITY OF VOLUNTEERS MAY KARAPATAN SI KATE IPAGMALAKI.
NANDITO RIN SI PRESIDENTIAL ASSISTANT RENE DIAZ, HINDI BA? AYUN! SIYA ANG TUMUTULONG SA AKIN UPANG IPAIRAL 'YUNG MGA PROYEKTO DITO SA NORTH LUZON. 'YUNG NORTH LUZON AY 'YUNG KANYANG MGA BAHAGI NG KANYANG KAUNLARAN AY 'W.' TINATAWAG NATING 'W' KASI SHAPED LIKE A 'W.' TAYO AY NASA LEFT HAND NG 'W.' AT ITONG LEFT HAND NG 'W' FROM THE TOP UP TO THE BOTTOM 'YAN AY TOURISM AREA. TAPOS 'YUNG BOTTOM NAGSI-SHARE 'YUNG PARANG LETTER 'B' SA BABA NG 'W' 'YAN ANG INTERFACE NG TOURISM AT SAKA INDUSTRY. KAYA KUNG MAKIKITA N'YO ITONG LEFT SIDE NG 'W' 'YAN AY FROM SUBIC IN THE SOUTH GOING UP -- SUBIC BAY 'NO INCLUDING OLONGAPO -- GOING UP, UP TO THE BEACHES NA OF ZAMBALES, PANGASINAN, ILOCOS HANGGANG PAGUDPOD, 'YAN ANG ATING TOURISM STRETCH AT LAHAT NG MGA LIONS NA ANG MGA DISTRITO NINYO OR 'YUNG MGA CLUB NINYO AY NANDOON, ISANG MALAKING MAGAGAWA NINYO AY TUMULONG PARA MANATILI NA 'YUNG MGA BEACHES DOON AY PARATING MALINIS PARA ITO AY TALAGANG UMUNLAD ANG TURISMO NG WEST LUZON.
GUSTO KO RING BATIIN SIYEMPRE 'YUNG MGA ELDER STATESMEN NG LIONS LALUNG-LALO NA SI GENERAL PEDRO BALBANERO NA SIYA ANG NAGSALITA KANINA. MULING NAGKAROON NG LION ANG INTERNATIONAL DIRECTOR KAGAYA NI GINOONG ENRIQUE LIM NOONG DATI; AT 'YUNG INYONG BAGONG STATE COUNCIL CHAIRMAN SI GINOONG SANTIAGO MORANTE NA SALAMAT DIN SA IYONG WELCOME REMARKS; BINABATI KO SI GINOONG JOSE DELA VEGA, ANG CONVENTION CHAIRMAN. NAPAKA SUCCESSFUL ITONG CONVENTION. ANG DAMI-DAMING NAG-ATTEND DITO SA NAPAKAGANDANG LUGAR NA ITO. AT NAGPAPASALAMAT DIN AKO DAHIL KAYO AY NAGBIGAY NG... 'YUNG KIOSK, 'YUNG TOURISM KIOSK DOON, 'YUNG CYBER KIOSK PARA SA MGA TURISTA AT SANA 'YUNG MGA LIONS DITO AY MAGDALA DIN NG MGA LIONS MULA SA IBANG BANSA PARA MAKITA ANG MAGANDANG TURISMO NATIN DITO SA PILIPINAS; BINABATI KO RIN SI MISS ADELIA ACASIO, ANG CONVENTION COORDINATOR AT REGIONAL CHAIRPERSON. CONGRATULATIONS SA PAGDALA MO DITO SA ATING MGA CONVENTION PARTICIPANTS; AND MAY I ALSO GREET THE COMMANDING GENERAL OF NORTH LUZON, GENERAL RODOLFO GARCIA; AND REGIONAL DIRECTOR OF THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE SI GENERAL REY BERROYA; MGA DISTRICT GOVERNOR NG LIONS; MGA LIONS AT LIONESSES NA NARITO NGAYON; LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:
I AM SO HONORED TO BE HERE IN OLONGAPO CITY AND TO BE HERE TO ADDRESS THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE LIONS CLUBS IN THE PHILIPPINES WHO ARE GATHERED HERE IN YOUR 53rd MULTI-DISTRICT STATE CONVENTION.
1.3 MILLION MEMBERS WORLDWIDE, SABI NI GENERAL BALBANERO, SINCE YOUR FOUNDING IN 1917. IMAGINE KUNG 10 PERCENT LANG SILA AY MAALOK N'YO DITO, 'DI 100,000 TOURIST NA 'YON DITO SA PILIPINAS. BUT NOT ONLY THAT, 1.3 MILLION MEMBERS SINCE 1917 THAT IS FORMIDABLE CIVIC POWER. AND I KNOW FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE THAT HERE IN THE PHILIPPINES THE GROWTH OF LIONISM HAS BEEN LIKEWISE IMPRESSIVE. KASI NAALAALA KO 'YUNG TULONG NINYO HALIMBAWA NUNG AKO AY NAMUMOROBLEMA SA MGA STREETCHILDREN SA METRO MANILA. 'YUNG LIONS AY TUMULONG HINDI LAMANG SA PAGKA VOLUNTEER GUMASTOS PA KAYO. PARATI KAYO NAGKO-CONTRIBUTE SA STREETCHILDREN'S PROGRAM NUNG AKO AY VICE PRESIDENT. ASIDE FROM THE FACT NA TUWING MAY LIONS CONVENTION MERON KAYONG TSEKE PARA SA STREETCHILDREN PROJECT AY NAALAALA KO 'YUNG ISANG MAGANDANG STREETCHILDREN'S HOME DOON SA BANDANG PARA„AQUE, DOON SA MAY AIRPORT ROAD AY GALING SA LIONS. NAALAALA KO NUNG 1998, FIRST CHRISTMAS NA NAGKAROON NG STREETCHILDREN'S PROJECT. EH, SIYEMPRE THE DAYS BEFORE CHRISTMAS AY BAKASYON NA, AND SIYEMPRE 'YUNG MGA GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES BAKASYON NA PERO DOON NAGLALABASAN 'YUNG MGA STREETCHILDREN. SINO 'YUNG NASA KALSADA PARA MAG-RESCUE SA KANILA, 'YUNG MGA LIONS NG QUEZON CITY AT METRO MANILA.
AND HAVING SEEN FIRST HAND HOW LIONS HAS SUPPORTED THE GOVERNMENT, GAYA NG SABI NI GENERAL, "YOU ASK NOT WHAT YOUR GOVERNMENT CAN DO FOR YOU BUT WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR YOUR GOVERNMENT." HAVING SEEN THAT, I AM CONFIDENT THAT YOUR GROWTH RATE IS DIRECTLY PROPORTIONAL TO THE CIVIC-MINDEDNESS OF YOUR MEMBERS.
LIONISM AS CONCEIVED BY YOUR FOUNDER, MELVIN JONES IS ALL ABOUT ELEVATING YOUR CONCERNS FROM A PURELY PERSONAL POINT OF VIEW TO THAT WHICH CAN BENEFIT THE COMMUNITY AND THE WORLD AT LARGE. AND AS I SAID EARLIER, I AM PERSONALLY AWARE OF THE GENEROSITY OF THE LIONS CLUBS. AND I NEVER CAN FORGET DOTES OF WORK THAT I MENTIONED FOR MY PROGRAMS WHEN I WAS VICE-PRESIDENT AND CONCURRENTLY SECRETARY OF SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT. 'YUNG PINAG-UUSAPAN -- AH MERON PANG ISA. HINDI KO PA NABANGGIT 'YUNG CENTER FOR STREETCHILDREN REHABILITATION IN MANDALUYONG CITY. THAT COULD NOT HAVE BEEN BUILT WITHOUT THE 75,000-DOLLAR GRANT OF THE LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION. KASI NAALAALA N'YO NUNG NAGKAROON KAYO NG 50th ANNIVERSARY BA 'YON? HINDI BA 'YON ANG PANAHON NA 'YUNG INTERNATIONAL AY MAGBIBIGAY NG KONTRIBUSYON AT PINILI N'YONG BENEFICIARY ITONG STREETCHILDREN CENTER NA ITO NA NAPAKAGANDA. AND THEREFORE LET ME TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS OCCASION TO FORMALLY ACKNOWLEDGE THE SOLID CONTRIBUTION OF ALL OF THE LIONS CLUBS IN THE PHILIPPINES TOWARDS IMPROVING THE LIVES OF THE DISADVANTAGED SECTORS OF OUR SOCIETY.
MARAMING SALAMAT SA INYO AT INAASAHAN KONG KAYO AY HANDA PANG TUMULONG SA IBA-IBA PANG PANGANGAILANGAN. BECAUSE WE HAVE TO DO MORE FOR THE POOR. THEY LACK OPPORTUNITIES FOR ADVANCEMENT, THEY ARE MOST VULNERABLE TO THE SHIFTING TIDES OF SOCIO-ECONOMIC CHANGE. AND IT'S NOT ONLY CHRISTIAN CHARITY THAT SHOULD MOVE US TO HELP THE POOR, WE MUST LOOK AT THEM AS PARTNERS IN IMPROVING OUR NATIONAL PRODUCTIVITY AND GROWTH. BUT TO TRANSFORM THE POOR INTO NATION- BUILDERS, THEY MUST FIRST BE PROVIDED WITH THE PRIMORDIAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR SURVIVAL AND GROWTH. THEY MUST BE PROVIDED THE BASIC SERVICES WITH WHICH THEY MAY ELEVATE THE QUALITY OF THEIR LIVES.
AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, WE SEE STREETCHILDREN, BEGGARS, DRUG ADDICTS, FORSAKEN ELDERLY CITIZENS AND OTHER VULNERABLE GROUPS ALMOST EVERYDAY. THESE ARE THE DISADVANTAGED SECTORS THAT LIONS CLUBS ASSIST MOST. KAYA TAMANG-TAMA KAYO AY NANDITO SA OLONGAPO, THE CITY OF VOLUNTEERS. KASI ANG LIONS NAPAKALAKAS SA VOLUNTEERISM. THE LIONS ARE ALSO A CONSTANT REMINDER OF OUR CRUCIAL TASK OF FIGHTING POVERTY REMAINS TO BE FULFILLED.
POVERTY IS THE ROOT OF MOST OF OUR COUNTRY'S ILLS. POVERTY BEGETS IGNORANCE, SOCIAL INEQUITY AND THE DESPAIR OF THOSE WHO PERENNIALLY SUFFER FROM INJUSTICE. POVERTY ABETS TERRORISM WHERE TERRORISM STEMS FROM INEQUITY. AND CONVERSELY, TERRORISM BREEDS MORE POVERTY BECAUSE IT DRIVES AWAY INVESTMENTS AND SMOTHERS THE SPIRIT OF ENTERPRISE.
POVERTY IS A CYCLICAL THREAT TO NATIONAL STABILITY VICIOUS CYCLE. DEPRIVED OF ESSENTIAL NEEDS, THE CHILDREN OF THE POOR TEND TO BE POORER THAN THEIR PARENTS. AND LONG-TERM POVERTY THREATENS PEACE, AS OUR EXPERIENCE HAS TAUGHT US. THE SPAWNING GROUNDS OF CONFLICT ARE THE MOST DEPRESSED AREAS OF OUR COUNTRY.
AND I HAVE SAID ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS THAT WE MUST WIN THE WAR AGAINST POVERTY WITHIN THE DECADE. WE WANT TO PUT A FULL STOP TO THE CYCLE OF WANT, INJUSTICE AND CONFLICT. I AM CAMPAIGNING AMONG ALL SECTORS, ALL CIVIC CLUBS, ALL LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, ALL ETHNIC COMMUNITIES OF THE COUNTRY -- JOIN ME IN THIS BATTLE AGAINST POVERTY. ALAM KO NA KAYO'Y KASAMA KO NUNG VICE PRESIDENT PA AKO, EH LALO NAMAN NGAYON NA AKO AY PRESIDENTE NA, INAASAHAN KO KAYO.
NOONG MAKALAWA -- AH, KAHAPON PALA -- DEATH ANNIVERSARY NG NANAY KO, THE LATE FIRST LADY EVANGELINA MACAPAGAL. NAG-MISA KAMI SA LIBINGAN NG MGA BAYANI KUNG SAAN NOONG SIYA AY FIRST LADY 'YAN AY INAYOS NIYA. NGAYON NAKINABANG SIYA DAHIL DOON SIYA NAKALIBING PATI TATAY KO. AT NUNG NAGKUKWENTO 'YUNG PARI, SI FATHER BOBBY PEREZ, NA 'YUNG TATAY NIYA NOON AY EXECUTIVE SECRETARY NG TATAY KO, NAALAALA NIYA NA YUNG LIBINGAN NG MGA BAYANI AT SAKA 'YUNG LUNETA AY INAYOS NG NANAY KO HINDI SA PAGGAMIT NG GOVERNMENT FUNDS KUNG HINDI FUNDS NG MGA VOLUNTEER CIVIC ORGANIZATION. AT BINANGGIT PA NIYA 'YUNG MGA PINAKA-PROMINENT NA TUMULONG AT KASAMA DOON -- PANAHON PA NG NANAY KO -- AY 'YUNG LIONS CLUB. KAYA MULA PA DOON SA MAGULANG KO, MARAMING SALAMAT.
MY ROADMAP IN THE FIGHT AGAINST POVERTY CONSISTS OF FOUR COMPONENTS: FIRST, AN ECONOMIC PHILOSOPHY OF FREE ENTERPRISE APPROPRIATE TO THE 21st CENTURY; SECOND, MODERNIZING AGRICULTURE WITH EQUITY; THIRD, PROVIDING A SOCIAL BIAS TO THE MARGINALIZED AND THE DISADVANTAGED SECTORS TO BALANCE OUR ECONOMIC GROWTH; AND THE FOURTH, THE ADOPTION OF HIGHER MORAL STANDARDS IN GOVERNMENT AND THE WHOLE OF SOCIETY.
WE ALSO HAVE UNDER THE SECTORAL AND SOCIAL BIAS A SECTORAL ANTI-POVERTY PROGRAM FORMULATED IN COORDINATION WITH THE NATIONAL ANTI-POVERTY COMMISSION. THIS IS GEARED TOWARDS UPLIFTING THE LIVES OF LESS FORTUNATE FILIPINOS. AND THIS NAPC PROGRAM HAS FIVE CORE THRUSTS: ASSET REFORM. MEANING, THE REDISTRIBUTION OF ASSETS TO THE POOR LIKE LAND REFORM AND OTHER ASSETS FOR PRODUCTION; FORTIFYING THE HUMAN CAPITAL BASE OF THE POOR; STRENGTHENING THE CAPACITY OF THE POOR TO ENGAGE IN PRODUCTIVE ENTERPRISE; POLITICALLY EMPOWERING THE POOR THROUGH ORGANIZED CONSULTATIONS; AND PROTECTING THE UNDERPRIVILEGED SECTORS, SUCH AS THE CHILDREN, THE YOUTH, THE WOMEN, THE AGED AGAINST EXPLOITATION.
AT KUNG TINITIGNAN KO ITONG MGA ITO, UNA NGA 'YUNG ASSET REFORM -- PAGMUMUDMOD NG MGA ARIAN, LUPA, PABAHAY SA MGA MAHIHIRAP; PANGALAWA, 'YUNG MGA SALIGANG MGA SERBISYO. IN OTHER WORDS EDUCATION FOR THE POOR, MEDICINE FOR THE POOR, MEDICAL CARE FOR THE POOR; 'YUNG ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT -- MGA LIVELIHOOD, MGA MICROFINANCE, MGA SPECIFIC JOBS PARA SA, HALIMBAWA, OUT-OF-SCHOOL CHILDREN, 'YON DIN ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT; 'YON NAMANG PROTECTION OF THE EXPLOITED AND THE VULNERABLE -- 'YAN ANG MGA STREETCHILDREN, 'YUNG BABAENG INAABUSO, MATATANDANG NAIWAN NA, MGA DISABLED NA WALANG MARAMING PAGKAKATAON; AT PANG LIMA, 'YUNG CAPABILITY- BUILDING. KUNG TIGNAN NATIN LAHAT ITONG LIMA ANG LAKI NG PAPEL NG LIONS CLUB.
THE LIONS CLUBS HAVE PROJECTS THAT PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO THE DISADVANTAGED SECTORS. I KEPT TALKING ABOUT THE STREETCHILDREN BUT YOU HAVE HELPED SO MUCH THE PHYSICALLY DISABLED AS WELL. YOUR PROJECTS FORM PART OF A POSITIVE RESPONSE IN AID OF OUR ANTI-POVERTY PROGRAMS, AND I THANK YOU FOR YOUR INVALUABLE HELP.
I HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT YOUR CLUBS HAVE COMPLAINED OF DIFFICULTIES IN HAVING SHIPMENTS OF GOODS DONATED TO YOUR PROJECTS SUCH AS MEDICINES, READING GLASSES AND CLOTHES RELEASED BY THE GOVERNMENT. WE WANT TO HELP YOU FACILITATE YOUR CHARITABLE SHIPMENTS, BUT IT IS BOTH IN YOUR INTEREST AND THE GOVERNMENT'S TO ENSURE THAT THE SYSTEM IS NOT EXPLOITED FOR THE BENEFIT OF SMUGGLERS. PERHAPS YOU CAN GIVE US MORE DETAILS SO WE CAN SET UP A COORDINATING SYSTEM FOR THESE MATTERS. KAYA LANG SABIHIN KO SA INYO ANG MGA PATAKARAN, ANG MGA NASA BATAS. BATAS PO ITO. KAYA KUNG GUSTO N'YONG PALITAN HUMANAP KAYO NG CONGRESSMAN NA MAGPAPALIT NG BATAS. PERO SA NGAYON PARA HINDI KAYO MABIGO SASABIHIN KO NA ANG BATAS. YOU CAN ACCEPT DONATIONS EXCEPT OLD CLOTHES AS LONG AS YOU ARE WILLING TO PAY THE TAXES. I THINK ANG PROBLEMA NINYO 'YUNG TAX AND DUTY FREE.
NGAYON LIONS, ROTARY, CIVIC CLUB ARE NOT LISTED AMONG THOSE WHO ARE ALLOWED TO RECEIVE, TO BE CONSIGNEES WHO ARE TAX-EXEMPT. KAYA KUNG GUSTO N'YONG MAGDONATE, HALIMBAWA, MAGDO-DONATE KAYO SA LIONS NG OLONGAPO CITY, I-DONATE SA OLONGAPO CITY DAHIL ANG OLONGAPO CITY 'YAN AY ALLOWED TO RECEIVE DUTY FREE -- CITIES AND PROVINCES. CITY GOVERNMENTS AND PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENTS ARE ALLOWED TO RECEIVE DUTY FREE BUT NOT MUNICIPALITIES. IF YOU WANT TO GIVE THE MUNICIPALITY -- WELL, LIKE THE MUNICIPALITY OF SUBIC IN ZAMBALES -- IT WILL HAVE TO BE TO THE PROVINCE OF ZAMBALES. AND YOU ASK THEM TO GIVE IT TOTHE MUNICIPALITY OF SUBIC. IF YOU WANT TO HAVE DUTY FREE, BUT IF YOU DON'T WANNA GO THROUGH THE GOVERNMENT, YOU CAN GO AHEAD. YOU JUST PAY TAXES. 'YAN ANG KLARONG-KLARO. WHY EXCEPT OLD CLOTHES? KASI MAY BATAS NA SINASABI OLD CLOTHES CANNOT BE IMPORTED. SO THERE IS A LAW THAT SAYS OLD CLOTHES CANNOT BE IMPORTED IN COMMERCIAL QUANTITIES. KAYA 'YAN AY SUMUSUNOD ANG DSWD SA BATAS NA 'YAN. SO IF PEOPLE WANT TO DONATE OLD CLOTHES SABIHIN N'YO PERAHIN NA LANG. AT DITO NA LANG N'YO BILIHIN 'YUNG MGA DAMIT. SO I HOPE THAT THESE LAWS -- THEY ARE NOT RULES THEY ARE LAWS -- ARE CLARIFIED. BECAUSE THE TIMES CALL FOR SELFLESSNESS AND A GENUINE DESIRE TO SEE THE POOR IMPROVE THEIR LIVES.
I RECALL THE WORDS OF MY FATHER, THE LATE PRESIDENT DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL, WHO SAID: "THE CHOSEN LEADER OF THE NATION IS EXPECTED TO GIVE HIS BEST, TO WORK HIS HARDEST, AND TO BEAR HARDSHIP." KANINA SABI NI KATE," MA'AM, I DON'T KNOW WHERE YOU GET YOUR ENERGY." I GET IT FROM WHAT MY FATHER SAID, "THE LEADER IS EXPECTED TO BEAR HARDSHIP." PERO I DON'T KNOW WHERE SHE GETS HER ENERGY. MUTUAL ADMIRATION SOCIETY.
IN ANY CASE, THESE WORDS RING TRUE NOT ONLY FOR PRESIDENTS BUT FOR EVERY LEADER WHO GENUINELY HAS THE PEOPLE'S INTERESTS AT HEART INCLUDING CIVIC LEADERS. EVERYONE WHO SUBSCRIBES TO THE VISION OF THE ORIGINAL LION, MELVIN JONES IS A LEADER. AND A LEADER IS ALWAYS A SLAVE TO THE PEOPLE.
SO LET US BE UNITED IN ALL OUR EFFORTS FOR THE GOOD OF THE COMMUNITY. ONLY THEN CAN WE SUCCEED IN OUR FIGHT AGAINST POVERTY. ONLY THEN WILL WE BE ABLE TO BUILD A STABLE AND SECURE NATION FOR ALL GENERATIONS OF FILIPINOS.
I WISH TO COMMEND EVERY PHILIPPINE LION AND LIONESS FOR THEIR CONTINUED DEMONSTRATION OF SELFLESSNESS AND CONCERN FOR PEOPLE. CARRY ON WITH A BIG ROAR! AND CARRY ON WITH A BIG HEART.
MARAMING SALAMAT SA INYONG LAHAT.
Olongapo City Convention Center Hall, Olongapo City, Zambales (17 May 2002)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MARAMING SALAMAT CONGRESSMAN GORDON SA IYONG PAGPAKILALA. AT SALAMAT SA INYO, SALAMAT KAY CITY MAYOR KATE GORDON, AT SALAMAT KAY TOURISM SECRETARY RICHARD GORDON SA INYONG PAG WELCOME SA AMIN LAHAT DITO SA NAPAKAGANDA AT NAPAKAGALING NA LUNGSOD NG OLONGAPO.
BAGO KO BATIIN 'YUNG IBA SABIHIN KO LANG NA PAG PINAGMAMALAKI NI KATE 'YUNG OLONGAPO MERON SIYANG 'K' KASI TINGNAN N'YO ITONG CONVENTION CENTER NA ITO NA ANG NAGPATAYO NITO AY ANG CITY NGUNIT SA DAHILAN KUNG BAKIT WALANG CHOICE ANG DBP KUNG HINDI IBIGAY SA KANILA 'YUNG CREDIT PARA MATAYO ITO AY MISMO 'YUNG WORLD BANK AY NAGSASABI NA SILA AY NARARAPAT AT SILA AY CREDITWORTHY AT ISANG HUWARANG LUNGSOD.
AT KANINA BAGO KAMI PUMUNTA RITO, ILAN SA MGA LIONS AY PUMUNTA RIN DOON NAG-USYOSO ACROSS THE STREET DOON SA KANILANG AMPHITHEATER, AT DOON AY NAGMAHAGI NG MGA SCHOOL SUPPLIES SA MGA BATANG PAPASOK MULA SA IBA'T-IBANG MGA MAHIHIRAP NA BARANGAY. AT 'YON DIN AY NANGGALING SA PROGRAMA NG DILG AT AUSTRALIAN FINANCING DAHIL KILALA RIN 'YAN AY BILANG GANTIMPALA NAMAN SA LUNGSOD NG OLONGAPO BILANG ISANG SA PINAKAMA-CHILD FRIENDLY CITIES NA HALL OF FAMER SILA.
AT BAGO NITO AY NANGGALING NAMAN KAMI DOON SA CITY HOSPITAL. NAALALA KO 'YUNG CITY HOSPITAL DAHIL NOONG AKO'Y -- EWAN KO SENADOR O VICE PRESIDENT -- AY NAG-CONTRIBUTE DIN AKO DOON DAHIL SI KATE LAHAT NG PINUPUNTAHAN KUNG MAGKO-CONTRIBUTE KASI SA CDF DAPAT SA HOSPITAL. TALAGANG BINUO NIYA 'YON AT NAKITA NATIN AY ISANG TERTIARY HOSPITAL NA 'YUNG STATE-OF-THE-ART NA MGA EQUIPMENT AY NANDOON KAYA NAGLILINGKOD ANG OLONGAPO CITY HOSPITAL HINDI LAMANG SA OLONGAPO, SA ZAMBALES, SA BATAAN, SA PAMPANGA, SA BUONG CENTRAL LUZON KAYA ANG OLONGAPO CITY, CITY OF VOLUNTEERS MAY KARAPATAN SI KATE IPAGMALAKI.
NANDITO RIN SI PRESIDENTIAL ASSISTANT RENE DIAZ, HINDI BA? AYUN! SIYA ANG TUMUTULONG SA AKIN UPANG IPAIRAL 'YUNG MGA PROYEKTO DITO SA NORTH LUZON. 'YUNG NORTH LUZON AY 'YUNG KANYANG MGA BAHAGI NG KANYANG KAUNLARAN AY 'W.' TINATAWAG NATING 'W' KASI SHAPED LIKE A 'W.' TAYO AY NASA LEFT HAND NG 'W.' AT ITONG LEFT HAND NG 'W' FROM THE TOP UP TO THE BOTTOM 'YAN AY TOURISM AREA. TAPOS 'YUNG BOTTOM NAGSI-SHARE 'YUNG PARANG LETTER 'B' SA BABA NG 'W' 'YAN ANG INTERFACE NG TOURISM AT SAKA INDUSTRY. KAYA KUNG MAKIKITA N'YO ITONG LEFT SIDE NG 'W' 'YAN AY FROM SUBIC IN THE SOUTH GOING UP -- SUBIC BAY 'NO INCLUDING OLONGAPO -- GOING UP, UP TO THE BEACHES NA OF ZAMBALES, PANGASINAN, ILOCOS HANGGANG PAGUDPOD, 'YAN ANG ATING TOURISM STRETCH AT LAHAT NG MGA LIONS NA ANG MGA DISTRITO NINYO OR 'YUNG MGA CLUB NINYO AY NANDOON, ISANG MALAKING MAGAGAWA NINYO AY TUMULONG PARA MANATILI NA 'YUNG MGA BEACHES DOON AY PARATING MALINIS PARA ITO AY TALAGANG UMUNLAD ANG TURISMO NG WEST LUZON.
GUSTO KO RING BATIIN SIYEMPRE 'YUNG MGA ELDER STATESMEN NG LIONS LALUNG-LALO NA SI GENERAL PEDRO BALBANERO NA SIYA ANG NAGSALITA KANINA. MULING NAGKAROON NG LION ANG INTERNATIONAL DIRECTOR KAGAYA NI GINOONG ENRIQUE LIM NOONG DATI; AT 'YUNG INYONG BAGONG STATE COUNCIL CHAIRMAN SI GINOONG SANTIAGO MORANTE NA SALAMAT DIN SA IYONG WELCOME REMARKS; BINABATI KO SI GINOONG JOSE DELA VEGA, ANG CONVENTION CHAIRMAN. NAPAKA SUCCESSFUL ITONG CONVENTION. ANG DAMI-DAMING NAG-ATTEND DITO SA NAPAKAGANDANG LUGAR NA ITO. AT NAGPAPASALAMAT DIN AKO DAHIL KAYO AY NAGBIGAY NG... 'YUNG KIOSK, 'YUNG TOURISM KIOSK DOON, 'YUNG CYBER KIOSK PARA SA MGA TURISTA AT SANA 'YUNG MGA LIONS DITO AY MAGDALA DIN NG MGA LIONS MULA SA IBANG BANSA PARA MAKITA ANG MAGANDANG TURISMO NATIN DITO SA PILIPINAS; BINABATI KO RIN SI MISS ADELIA ACASIO, ANG CONVENTION COORDINATOR AT REGIONAL CHAIRPERSON. CONGRATULATIONS SA PAGDALA MO DITO SA ATING MGA CONVENTION PARTICIPANTS; AND MAY I ALSO GREET THE COMMANDING GENERAL OF NORTH LUZON, GENERAL RODOLFO GARCIA; AND REGIONAL DIRECTOR OF THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE SI GENERAL REY BERROYA; MGA DISTRICT GOVERNOR NG LIONS; MGA LIONS AT LIONESSES NA NARITO NGAYON; LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:
I AM SO HONORED TO BE HERE IN OLONGAPO CITY AND TO BE HERE TO ADDRESS THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE LIONS CLUBS IN THE PHILIPPINES WHO ARE GATHERED HERE IN YOUR 53rd MULTI-DISTRICT STATE CONVENTION.
1.3 MILLION MEMBERS WORLDWIDE, SABI NI GENERAL BALBANERO, SINCE YOUR FOUNDING IN 1917. IMAGINE KUNG 10 PERCENT LANG SILA AY MAALOK N'YO DITO, 'DI 100,000 TOURIST NA 'YON DITO SA PILIPINAS. BUT NOT ONLY THAT, 1.3 MILLION MEMBERS SINCE 1917 THAT IS FORMIDABLE CIVIC POWER. AND I KNOW FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE THAT HERE IN THE PHILIPPINES THE GROWTH OF LIONISM HAS BEEN LIKEWISE IMPRESSIVE. KASI NAALAALA KO 'YUNG TULONG NINYO HALIMBAWA NUNG AKO AY NAMUMOROBLEMA SA MGA STREETCHILDREN SA METRO MANILA. 'YUNG LIONS AY TUMULONG HINDI LAMANG SA PAGKA VOLUNTEER GUMASTOS PA KAYO. PARATI KAYO NAGKO-CONTRIBUTE SA STREETCHILDREN'S PROGRAM NUNG AKO AY VICE PRESIDENT. ASIDE FROM THE FACT NA TUWING MAY LIONS CONVENTION MERON KAYONG TSEKE PARA SA STREETCHILDREN PROJECT AY NAALAALA KO 'YUNG ISANG MAGANDANG STREETCHILDREN'S HOME DOON SA BANDANG PARA„AQUE, DOON SA MAY AIRPORT ROAD AY GALING SA LIONS. NAALAALA KO NUNG 1998, FIRST CHRISTMAS NA NAGKAROON NG STREETCHILDREN'S PROJECT. EH, SIYEMPRE THE DAYS BEFORE CHRISTMAS AY BAKASYON NA, AND SIYEMPRE 'YUNG MGA GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES BAKASYON NA PERO DOON NAGLALABASAN 'YUNG MGA STREETCHILDREN. SINO 'YUNG NASA KALSADA PARA MAG-RESCUE SA KANILA, 'YUNG MGA LIONS NG QUEZON CITY AT METRO MANILA.
AND HAVING SEEN FIRST HAND HOW LIONS HAS SUPPORTED THE GOVERNMENT, GAYA NG SABI NI GENERAL, "YOU ASK NOT WHAT YOUR GOVERNMENT CAN DO FOR YOU BUT WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR YOUR GOVERNMENT." HAVING SEEN THAT, I AM CONFIDENT THAT YOUR GROWTH RATE IS DIRECTLY PROPORTIONAL TO THE CIVIC-MINDEDNESS OF YOUR MEMBERS.
LIONISM AS CONCEIVED BY YOUR FOUNDER, MELVIN JONES IS ALL ABOUT ELEVATING YOUR CONCERNS FROM A PURELY PERSONAL POINT OF VIEW TO THAT WHICH CAN BENEFIT THE COMMUNITY AND THE WORLD AT LARGE. AND AS I SAID EARLIER, I AM PERSONALLY AWARE OF THE GENEROSITY OF THE LIONS CLUBS. AND I NEVER CAN FORGET DOTES OF WORK THAT I MENTIONED FOR MY PROGRAMS WHEN I WAS VICE-PRESIDENT AND CONCURRENTLY SECRETARY OF SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT. 'YUNG PINAG-UUSAPAN -- AH MERON PANG ISA. HINDI KO PA NABANGGIT 'YUNG CENTER FOR STREETCHILDREN REHABILITATION IN MANDALUYONG CITY. THAT COULD NOT HAVE BEEN BUILT WITHOUT THE 75,000-DOLLAR GRANT OF THE LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION. KASI NAALAALA N'YO NUNG NAGKAROON KAYO NG 50th ANNIVERSARY BA 'YON? HINDI BA 'YON ANG PANAHON NA 'YUNG INTERNATIONAL AY MAGBIBIGAY NG KONTRIBUSYON AT PINILI N'YONG BENEFICIARY ITONG STREETCHILDREN CENTER NA ITO NA NAPAKAGANDA. AND THEREFORE LET ME TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS OCCASION TO FORMALLY ACKNOWLEDGE THE SOLID CONTRIBUTION OF ALL OF THE LIONS CLUBS IN THE PHILIPPINES TOWARDS IMPROVING THE LIVES OF THE DISADVANTAGED SECTORS OF OUR SOCIETY.
MARAMING SALAMAT SA INYO AT INAASAHAN KONG KAYO AY HANDA PANG TUMULONG SA IBA-IBA PANG PANGANGAILANGAN. BECAUSE WE HAVE TO DO MORE FOR THE POOR. THEY LACK OPPORTUNITIES FOR ADVANCEMENT, THEY ARE MOST VULNERABLE TO THE SHIFTING TIDES OF SOCIO-ECONOMIC CHANGE. AND IT'S NOT ONLY CHRISTIAN CHARITY THAT SHOULD MOVE US TO HELP THE POOR, WE MUST LOOK AT THEM AS PARTNERS IN IMPROVING OUR NATIONAL PRODUCTIVITY AND GROWTH. BUT TO TRANSFORM THE POOR INTO NATION- BUILDERS, THEY MUST FIRST BE PROVIDED WITH THE PRIMORDIAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR SURVIVAL AND GROWTH. THEY MUST BE PROVIDED THE BASIC SERVICES WITH WHICH THEY MAY ELEVATE THE QUALITY OF THEIR LIVES.
AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, WE SEE STREETCHILDREN, BEGGARS, DRUG ADDICTS, FORSAKEN ELDERLY CITIZENS AND OTHER VULNERABLE GROUPS ALMOST EVERYDAY. THESE ARE THE DISADVANTAGED SECTORS THAT LIONS CLUBS ASSIST MOST. KAYA TAMANG-TAMA KAYO AY NANDITO SA OLONGAPO, THE CITY OF VOLUNTEERS. KASI ANG LIONS NAPAKALAKAS SA VOLUNTEERISM. THE LIONS ARE ALSO A CONSTANT REMINDER OF OUR CRUCIAL TASK OF FIGHTING POVERTY REMAINS TO BE FULFILLED.
POVERTY IS THE ROOT OF MOST OF OUR COUNTRY'S ILLS. POVERTY BEGETS IGNORANCE, SOCIAL INEQUITY AND THE DESPAIR OF THOSE WHO PERENNIALLY SUFFER FROM INJUSTICE. POVERTY ABETS TERRORISM WHERE TERRORISM STEMS FROM INEQUITY. AND CONVERSELY, TERRORISM BREEDS MORE POVERTY BECAUSE IT DRIVES AWAY INVESTMENTS AND SMOTHERS THE SPIRIT OF ENTERPRISE.
POVERTY IS A CYCLICAL THREAT TO NATIONAL STABILITY VICIOUS CYCLE. DEPRIVED OF ESSENTIAL NEEDS, THE CHILDREN OF THE POOR TEND TO BE POORER THAN THEIR PARENTS. AND LONG-TERM POVERTY THREATENS PEACE, AS OUR EXPERIENCE HAS TAUGHT US. THE SPAWNING GROUNDS OF CONFLICT ARE THE MOST DEPRESSED AREAS OF OUR COUNTRY.
AND I HAVE SAID ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS THAT WE MUST WIN THE WAR AGAINST POVERTY WITHIN THE DECADE. WE WANT TO PUT A FULL STOP TO THE CYCLE OF WANT, INJUSTICE AND CONFLICT. I AM CAMPAIGNING AMONG ALL SECTORS, ALL CIVIC CLUBS, ALL LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, ALL ETHNIC COMMUNITIES OF THE COUNTRY -- JOIN ME IN THIS BATTLE AGAINST POVERTY. ALAM KO NA KAYO'Y KASAMA KO NUNG VICE PRESIDENT PA AKO, EH LALO NAMAN NGAYON NA AKO AY PRESIDENTE NA, INAASAHAN KO KAYO.
NOONG MAKALAWA -- AH, KAHAPON PALA -- DEATH ANNIVERSARY NG NANAY KO, THE LATE FIRST LADY EVANGELINA MACAPAGAL. NAG-MISA KAMI SA LIBINGAN NG MGA BAYANI KUNG SAAN NOONG SIYA AY FIRST LADY 'YAN AY INAYOS NIYA. NGAYON NAKINABANG SIYA DAHIL DOON SIYA NAKALIBING PATI TATAY KO. AT NUNG NAGKUKWENTO 'YUNG PARI, SI FATHER BOBBY PEREZ, NA 'YUNG TATAY NIYA NOON AY EXECUTIVE SECRETARY NG TATAY KO, NAALAALA NIYA NA YUNG LIBINGAN NG MGA BAYANI AT SAKA 'YUNG LUNETA AY INAYOS NG NANAY KO HINDI SA PAGGAMIT NG GOVERNMENT FUNDS KUNG HINDI FUNDS NG MGA VOLUNTEER CIVIC ORGANIZATION. AT BINANGGIT PA NIYA 'YUNG MGA PINAKA-PROMINENT NA TUMULONG AT KASAMA DOON -- PANAHON PA NG NANAY KO -- AY 'YUNG LIONS CLUB. KAYA MULA PA DOON SA MAGULANG KO, MARAMING SALAMAT.
MY ROADMAP IN THE FIGHT AGAINST POVERTY CONSISTS OF FOUR COMPONENTS: FIRST, AN ECONOMIC PHILOSOPHY OF FREE ENTERPRISE APPROPRIATE TO THE 21st CENTURY; SECOND, MODERNIZING AGRICULTURE WITH EQUITY; THIRD, PROVIDING A SOCIAL BIAS TO THE MARGINALIZED AND THE DISADVANTAGED SECTORS TO BALANCE OUR ECONOMIC GROWTH; AND THE FOURTH, THE ADOPTION OF HIGHER MORAL STANDARDS IN GOVERNMENT AND THE WHOLE OF SOCIETY.
WE ALSO HAVE UNDER THE SECTORAL AND SOCIAL BIAS A SECTORAL ANTI-POVERTY PROGRAM FORMULATED IN COORDINATION WITH THE NATIONAL ANTI-POVERTY COMMISSION. THIS IS GEARED TOWARDS UPLIFTING THE LIVES OF LESS FORTUNATE FILIPINOS. AND THIS NAPC PROGRAM HAS FIVE CORE THRUSTS: ASSET REFORM. MEANING, THE REDISTRIBUTION OF ASSETS TO THE POOR LIKE LAND REFORM AND OTHER ASSETS FOR PRODUCTION; FORTIFYING THE HUMAN CAPITAL BASE OF THE POOR; STRENGTHENING THE CAPACITY OF THE POOR TO ENGAGE IN PRODUCTIVE ENTERPRISE; POLITICALLY EMPOWERING THE POOR THROUGH ORGANIZED CONSULTATIONS; AND PROTECTING THE UNDERPRIVILEGED SECTORS, SUCH AS THE CHILDREN, THE YOUTH, THE WOMEN, THE AGED AGAINST EXPLOITATION.
AT KUNG TINITIGNAN KO ITONG MGA ITO, UNA NGA 'YUNG ASSET REFORM -- PAGMUMUDMOD NG MGA ARIAN, LUPA, PABAHAY SA MGA MAHIHIRAP; PANGALAWA, 'YUNG MGA SALIGANG MGA SERBISYO. IN OTHER WORDS EDUCATION FOR THE POOR, MEDICINE FOR THE POOR, MEDICAL CARE FOR THE POOR; 'YUNG ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT -- MGA LIVELIHOOD, MGA MICROFINANCE, MGA SPECIFIC JOBS PARA SA, HALIMBAWA, OUT-OF-SCHOOL CHILDREN, 'YON DIN ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT; 'YON NAMANG PROTECTION OF THE EXPLOITED AND THE VULNERABLE -- 'YAN ANG MGA STREETCHILDREN, 'YUNG BABAENG INAABUSO, MATATANDANG NAIWAN NA, MGA DISABLED NA WALANG MARAMING PAGKAKATAON; AT PANG LIMA, 'YUNG CAPABILITY- BUILDING. KUNG TIGNAN NATIN LAHAT ITONG LIMA ANG LAKI NG PAPEL NG LIONS CLUB.
THE LIONS CLUBS HAVE PROJECTS THAT PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO THE DISADVANTAGED SECTORS. I KEPT TALKING ABOUT THE STREETCHILDREN BUT YOU HAVE HELPED SO MUCH THE PHYSICALLY DISABLED AS WELL. YOUR PROJECTS FORM PART OF A POSITIVE RESPONSE IN AID OF OUR ANTI-POVERTY PROGRAMS, AND I THANK YOU FOR YOUR INVALUABLE HELP.
I HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT YOUR CLUBS HAVE COMPLAINED OF DIFFICULTIES IN HAVING SHIPMENTS OF GOODS DONATED TO YOUR PROJECTS SUCH AS MEDICINES, READING GLASSES AND CLOTHES RELEASED BY THE GOVERNMENT. WE WANT TO HELP YOU FACILITATE YOUR CHARITABLE SHIPMENTS, BUT IT IS BOTH IN YOUR INTEREST AND THE GOVERNMENT'S TO ENSURE THAT THE SYSTEM IS NOT EXPLOITED FOR THE BENEFIT OF SMUGGLERS. PERHAPS YOU CAN GIVE US MORE DETAILS SO WE CAN SET UP A COORDINATING SYSTEM FOR THESE MATTERS. KAYA LANG SABIHIN KO SA INYO ANG MGA PATAKARAN, ANG MGA NASA BATAS. BATAS PO ITO. KAYA KUNG GUSTO N'YONG PALITAN HUMANAP KAYO NG CONGRESSMAN NA MAGPAPALIT NG BATAS. PERO SA NGAYON PARA HINDI KAYO MABIGO SASABIHIN KO NA ANG BATAS. YOU CAN ACCEPT DONATIONS EXCEPT OLD CLOTHES AS LONG AS YOU ARE WILLING TO PAY THE TAXES. I THINK ANG PROBLEMA NINYO 'YUNG TAX AND DUTY FREE.
NGAYON LIONS, ROTARY, CIVIC CLUB ARE NOT LISTED AMONG THOSE WHO ARE ALLOWED TO RECEIVE, TO BE CONSIGNEES WHO ARE TAX-EXEMPT. KAYA KUNG GUSTO N'YONG MAGDONATE, HALIMBAWA, MAGDO-DONATE KAYO SA LIONS NG OLONGAPO CITY, I-DONATE SA OLONGAPO CITY DAHIL ANG OLONGAPO CITY 'YAN AY ALLOWED TO RECEIVE DUTY FREE -- CITIES AND PROVINCES. CITY GOVERNMENTS AND PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENTS ARE ALLOWED TO RECEIVE DUTY FREE BUT NOT MUNICIPALITIES. IF YOU WANT TO GIVE THE MUNICIPALITY -- WELL, LIKE THE MUNICIPALITY OF SUBIC IN ZAMBALES -- IT WILL HAVE TO BE TO THE PROVINCE OF ZAMBALES. AND YOU ASK THEM TO GIVE IT TOTHE MUNICIPALITY OF SUBIC. IF YOU WANT TO HAVE DUTY FREE, BUT IF YOU DON'T WANNA GO THROUGH THE GOVERNMENT, YOU CAN GO AHEAD. YOU JUST PAY TAXES. 'YAN ANG KLARONG-KLARO. WHY EXCEPT OLD CLOTHES? KASI MAY BATAS NA SINASABI OLD CLOTHES CANNOT BE IMPORTED. SO THERE IS A LAW THAT SAYS OLD CLOTHES CANNOT BE IMPORTED IN COMMERCIAL QUANTITIES. KAYA 'YAN AY SUMUSUNOD ANG DSWD SA BATAS NA 'YAN. SO IF PEOPLE WANT TO DONATE OLD CLOTHES SABIHIN N'YO PERAHIN NA LANG. AT DITO NA LANG N'YO BILIHIN 'YUNG MGA DAMIT. SO I HOPE THAT THESE LAWS -- THEY ARE NOT RULES THEY ARE LAWS -- ARE CLARIFIED. BECAUSE THE TIMES CALL FOR SELFLESSNESS AND A GENUINE DESIRE TO SEE THE POOR IMPROVE THEIR LIVES.
I RECALL THE WORDS OF MY FATHER, THE LATE PRESIDENT DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL, WHO SAID: "THE CHOSEN LEADER OF THE NATION IS EXPECTED TO GIVE HIS BEST, TO WORK HIS HARDEST, AND TO BEAR HARDSHIP." KANINA SABI NI KATE," MA'AM, I DON'T KNOW WHERE YOU GET YOUR ENERGY." I GET IT FROM WHAT MY FATHER SAID, "THE LEADER IS EXPECTED TO BEAR HARDSHIP." PERO I DON'T KNOW WHERE SHE GETS HER ENERGY. MUTUAL ADMIRATION SOCIETY.
IN ANY CASE, THESE WORDS RING TRUE NOT ONLY FOR PRESIDENTS BUT FOR EVERY LEADER WHO GENUINELY HAS THE PEOPLE'S INTERESTS AT HEART INCLUDING CIVIC LEADERS. EVERYONE WHO SUBSCRIBES TO THE VISION OF THE ORIGINAL LION, MELVIN JONES IS A LEADER. AND A LEADER IS ALWAYS A SLAVE TO THE PEOPLE.
SO LET US BE UNITED IN ALL OUR EFFORTS FOR THE GOOD OF THE COMMUNITY. ONLY THEN CAN WE SUCCEED IN OUR FIGHT AGAINST POVERTY. ONLY THEN WILL WE BE ABLE TO BUILD A STABLE AND SECURE NATION FOR ALL GENERATIONS OF FILIPINOS.
I WISH TO COMMEND EVERY PHILIPPINE LION AND LIONESS FOR THEIR CONTINUED DEMONSTRATION OF SELFLESSNESS AND CONCERN FOR PEOPLE. CARRY ON WITH A BIG ROAR! AND CARRY ON WITH A BIG HEART.
MARAMING SALAMAT SA INYONG LAHAT.
posted by OlongapoCity Zambales at
4:27 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home