MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon — Vice President Sara Duterte on Saturday called on residents here to prioritize children’s education as key to sustainable national growth.

In a message before a huge crowd attending the province’s Kaamulan Festival, the Vice President urged everyone, especially parents, to ensure that their children are sent to school and provided with necessary education for their personal growth.

“Sa atoang mga ginikanan, sa atong mga lolo ug lola, mga ig-agaw, mga auntie, mga uncle — paniguraduhon nato nga ang atoang mga anak, mga apo, mga manghud, mga ig-agaw, tanan nga kabataan dinhi sa atoang probinsya sa Bukidnon ug sa tibook nasud nga mosulod gyud sila sa eskwelahan ug dili ta motugot nga maundang ang ilang pag-eskwela (To the parents, grandparents, cousins, aunts, and uncles, let’s make sure our children, grandchildren, younger siblings, cousins, and every child in the province and the rest of the country go to school, and let us not allow them to stop schooling),” she said.

Duterte was guest of honor and speaker in the event.

Recognizing the challenges that curtails development, the Vice President underscored that quality education is key to every Filipino child’s bright future, uplifting the family’s living conditions, and creating an impact on national growth.

“Pag-eskwela o paghuman sa isa ka bata sa iyang edukasyon mao ang susi para duna siyay mas nindot pa nga kinabuhi kung unsa ang nakita nato karon. Mao pud ang magputol sa nagbalik-balik nga kalisud sa kadaghanang pamilya sa atoang nagkalahi-lahing komunidad (Going to school or finishing education is the key for a child to have a better life. It ends the cycle of poverty experienced by many families in various communities),” she added.

She also asked parents to unite and cooperate in combatting the security threats on children.

“Ilayo nato sila sa mga kriminalidad, sa droga, sa insurhensiya, sa terorismo, ug sa mga butang nga makadaot sa ilang kinabuhi. Dalhon nato sila sa kaayuhan, sa pag-eskwela, sa sports, ug sa mga in-ani — pagparticipate sa mga aktibidades sa atoang local government unit ug sa atoang mga komunidad (Let us keep them away from criminality, drugs, insurgency, terrorism, and other things that will ruin their future. Let us bring them schools, sports, and encourage them to participate in local government activities like this),” she said.

“Hunungi na na ninyo ang paghatag ninyo’g suporta sa mga NPA kay mao nay modaot sa kaugmaon sa inyong mga anak (Stop supporting the NPA because that will destroy your children’s future),” she added.

Kaamulan Festival is Bukidnon’s celebration in recognition of its seven tribes, which bring cultural diversity in the province.

OVP MEDIA