THE 7th anniversary of Gawad Kalinga on October 10 proved to be a timely and opportune moment for President Benigno S. Aquino III to exhort hiskababayans to work together in the spirit of bayanihan.
He called on Filipinos “to adopt a renewed spirit of volunteerism,” saying that the bayanihan spirit “will serve as a catalyst to bring the country back to greatness.”
He added that being a simple citizen should not deter his kababayans from participating in the government’s efforts toward the nation’s recovery. That everyone in his own way, has a role to play. He emphasized that if Gawad Kalinga can do it, so can the rest of the nation.
“Just like what the spirit of volunteerism did for your group (Gawad Kalinga), those who volunteered and became one with us, contributed immensely in ensuring that we will be taking only the straight path and won’t stray into jungles of corruption in our country,” he said in Filipino.
The president committed that his administration will implement measures “to improve private-public partnerships’ ability to address the concerns of their direct constituents.”
He emphasized that officials working under the Department of Interior and Local Government, along with civil society organizations “are working hand-in-hand to improve regional coordination to address issues, notably the procurement and the peace and order at their respective levels.”
Under his careful instruction, The Department of Social Welfare and Development will strengthen its program monitoring and auditing services “to ensure that funds for projects such as the Conditional Cash Transfers and the KALAHI-CIDSS (Kapitbisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services) are properly utilized.”
In the words of Gawad Kalinga founder, Tony Meloto in his piece, “A Covenant with the President:” “Together, we can decide in this new season of hope to finally be free from poverty and corruption or to remain irreversibly a slave to them. To win the game or to forever be an underdog in the eyes of the world.”
“The challenge is for every responsible Filipino to begin to see himself as God’s answer to our country’s woes rather than simply depend on government leaders or leave everything to fate by not matching faith with action,” Meloto further quipped.
Our journey towards the straight path is still long and winding, with many expected hurdles along the way. But our collective efforts and unity as a people will be our source of strength, just like a group of men ably carrying the proverbial hut to its final destination.
It may be an excruciating burden for one person alone, but if we pool our strengths together, any load can be lightened, any endeavor fast tracked. (AJPress)
( www.asianjournal.com )
( Published October 13, 2010 in Asian Journal Los Angeles p. A6 )
