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Robredo on National Heroes' Day: Do simple acts of service
ICE President Maria Leonoi Robredo
n Monday urged Filipinos to offer
hemselves to others in simPle acts
f service, as the plight of the nation
oes not just rest in the hands of one
lader alone.
ln her message for National Heroes'
ray, Robredo reminded the public to
ight for the country's democracy and
it before
rogress, as those who did
he present generation were just
rdinary citizens too.
"Goya ng paulit-ulit nang itinuro ng
ting kasaysayan, magiging totoo at
tokobuluhan lang ang ating pog-unlad
t koloyaan kung mogpapoko-bayani ong
owat iso 0t s0 ating pagbobayonihon.
'ilipino ang bayaning kopwa Pilipino
Like what history always teaches us,
ur progress and freedom as a nation
will only hold true if we know how to
offer ourselves to others and unite for
the common good. We are the heroes
of our fellow Filipinos)i'Robredo said
in a statement.
"Bogo natin sila tinaguriong mga
boyani, sil,a oy mgo ordinoryong
momomoyon tulad natin mgo --
Pilipino n0 n0gp0sylng
mokoboyong
tumindig kung kailan pinakokailan-
gon, so pinakomahahologong yugto
ng ating kasoysayan (Before they
were hailed as heroes, they were
once ordinary citizens like us
patriotic Filipinos who decided to
- being brought back to the times when
take a stand when they are needed,
in the most significant parts of our
history)," she added.
"Wola so komay ng iisong too ong
solusyon s0l0h0t ng nting mgr sulironin,
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TU ESDAY August
at wolang iisong pinuno ang makopog-
bibigay so otin ng mos magondong
bukas (Ihe solution to a problem does
not lie in the hands of one person,
and it is not just one leaderwho tould
provide us with a good future)i the vice
continued.
president
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For his part, flagdalo party-list
Rep. Manuel Cabochan 3rd urged the
Duterte administration to assert the
country's sovereignty, especially at
a time when it is facing threats from
"foreign aggressors."
"0ur nation at present is sebminglY
our independence was being threat-
ened by the colonizers. 0ur control
now over our waters, and even our
lands, are being challenged by foreign
aggressors," he said.
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Meanwhile, Sen. Pilar Juliana
"Pia" Cayetano pushed for the pas-
sage of her Senate Bill (58) 925, or
the " Youth Patriotism and Bayani-
han Act," which seeks to establish
holistic pr0grams in basic education
in lieu of proposals to make the
Reserve Officers' Trainin g Corps
program mandatory for students.
"Let us honor the great men and
women who fought for our nation's
freedom by nurturing future heroes
among the ranks of our youthi she
said in her message to mark this year's
National Heroes'Day.
Cayetano added that she fully
supports President Duterte's call in his
fourth State ofthe Nation Address for
Congress to pass a law that shall "in-
vigorate nationalism and patriotism
among young Filipinos and further
promote their role in nation-building."
But the senator said while military
training is vital, it is not the only
means to cultivate patriotism and
discipline among students.
Cayetano's 58 925 introduces a ponents: internal security and peace
fundamental program and a special-
ized program, both seeking to develop
the values of discipline, patriotism,
nationalism and a strong sense of
bayanihon (camaraderie) among
Grades 1 to 12 students.
The fundamental program for
Grades 1 to 12 students shall have
the following components: physical
fitness, arts and cultural heritage,
community outreach, basic disaster
risk reduction and management, and
basic security.
Meanwhile, the specialized pro-
gram for senior high school students
shall have advanced and dedicated'
training to develop skills and k4owl;
edge in security, survival and pdblic
service through the following com-'
and order, dedicated disaster risk
reduction and management, advan
security, and career development.'
Cayetano said a citizenry well-
trained in a "holistic way" and in '
various disciplines like the sciences;
medicine, sports, the arts, business
and technical skills, among others, is
the best preparation for any external
or internal threats to the country's
security and development.
GLEE JA
AND JAVIER JOE ISMA