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| President Benigno S. Aquino III addresses the Youth Day dubbed "PILIPINAS GOT BUKAS" before thousands students at the Rizal High School Quadrangle on Wed. (Feb 23) in Pasig City. |
In his message at the two-day “People-Powered Development,” a Local Government Unit (LGU) forum on integrating community-driven development in local governance practice at the Heroes Hall of Malacañang, the President, speaking in Pilipino, recognized the contribution of local government officials and people’s groups in empowering the people and restoring democracy.
According to the Chief Executive, this democracy is “Demokrasya mula sa kurapsyon at kalayaan mula sa kahirapan. Ito ang kahulugan ng people power. Ito ang pamana ng Edsa (Democracy from corruption and freedom from poverty. This is the legacy of EDSA).
He said his mother, the former President Corazon Aquino has said that the true meaning of people power has a different face--- not the millions of Filipinos marching through EDSA nor the placards bearing former Senator Benigno Aquino, Jr.’s face nor the nuns holding rosaries but rather preparedness-- preparedness to fight corruption and preparedness to fight poverty.
“And this is the kind of preparedness these mayors from different municipalities sharing their knowledge and experiences in uplifting the lives of the poor through KALAHI-CIDSS,” he said.
The 33 mayors implementing KALAHI-CIDSS projects in their respective municipalities received commendation from the President for their good performance.
“Thank you to these leaders. I will not have second thoughts in calling you heroes if you are indeed government’s partner in fighting corruption by not stealing from government coffers and by fighting poverty as well through your pro-poor projects,” he said.
The President stressed that the mayors are part of the modern revolution to eradicate poverty by implementing the community- driven development approach in their communities which recognizes the community as not just recipients but as partners in local development.
“You are part of government’s war against corruption and poverty. I salute you,” the President adding that the united efforts and effective decisions of all local executives and the people can have a multiplier effect in the government’s war against hunger and poverty.
“Sa madaling salita binabahagi niyo hindi sa kabarangay lamang, umaabot ito sa mas maraming Pilipino,” the President said.
“Let us now be proactive instead of reactive. If we are one in working for the good of many, we will all be one in achieving success,” he said.
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