President Benigno S. Aquino III urged the Filipino people to enliven the spirit of volunteerism for the success and development of the country, stressing that the government’s function is to serve not only the seat of power in Manila but also the entire country as a whole.
In his speech during the turnover rites for some 1,200 new homes to the survivors of typhoon “Sendong” on Friday in Barangay Canitoan in this city, the President said that key government agencies are partners of the people in volunteerism.
“Sa bawat araw nga po ng ating panunungkulan, hindi natin kinakalimutang itinatag ang gobyerno para maglingkod sa bayan at, malinaw po, ang pamahalaan ay hindi lang para sa Maynila, hindi lang para sa Malacañang, kundi para sa lahat ng sulok ng Pilipinas. Pinapatunayan natin na ang pambansang gobyerno ay tunay ngang pambansa,” he said.
“Ang akin naman pong panawagan, huwag tayong magsawa sa pagba-bayanihan. Sama-sama po nating abutin ang mas maliwanag na kinabukasan para sa ating bayan,” he stressed.
According to the Chief Executive, the turnover ceremony will not be possible without the support of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the National Housing Authority (NHA) and many other government agencies.
The President also thanked the Habitat for Humanity and other organizations that assisted the typhoon survivors in Cagayan de Oro City in building their new homes.
The government support mentioned by the President includes the Self-employment Assistance sa Kaunlaran or SEA-K of the DSWD. The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) has also started carrying out its training-cum-production program for around 600 residents of the city and in Iligan City, he said.
The President noted that under the program, typhoon survivors will be given construction-related trainings such as masonry, plumbing, welding, and electrical installations.
More than 1,500 new houses were turned over Friday to beneficiaries throughout Cagayan de Oro City.