BATANGAS CITY — Vice President Sara Duterte on Thursday commended local leaders and residents of Batangas, noting their contribution in the growth of the province over the past 441 years.
“May I commend the leaders of the province and its people for building a strong Batangas. Batangas’ economic climate, the multi-sector dynamism, the steady but not too overwhelming tourism, local innovations, and human resource development – these are proof that Batangas has been efficient, sophisticated, and responsive in realizing the province's full potential and sustainable development,” the Vice President said in her speech during the province’s celebration of its 441st founding anniversary.
“Four hundred forty-one years of pursuing your own progress, driving Batangueños to face the future with hope and optimism that your individual and collective efforts will bring about social reforms,” she added.
A recipient of the Dangal ng Batangan for Public Service award, Duterte underscored the significance of building a legacy founded on transparency and accountability and exercising good governance— which will leave a notable footprints in one’s administration in government service.
“Madali pong maluklok sa pwesto. Ang mahirap po ang magsilbi ng may dangal at dignidad. Hindi po kasi ito makakalimutan ng tao. Tatatak sa kanila kung anong uri ka na lider. Legacy. At ang pagsisilbi ng tapat, nang may dedikasyon, tapang, at kahandaan na pangunahan ang bayan na harapin ang mga hamon na hinaharap natin, ito po ang aking ipinapangako sa inyo,” she said.
“Good governance. Kung susundin natin ang landas ng good governance o maganda at epektibong pamamahala, hindi po malayong maisasakatuparan natin ang ating mga pangarap sa buhay at pangarap para sa Pilipinas,” she added.
The Vice President said she continues to remind fellow public servants of their responsibilities and duties to the people and the country and such responsibility is “built on sacrifice and commitment to our shared democratic values — our willingness to give up our personal agenda for the good of everyone.”
The Vice President also cited Batangas Governor Hermilando Mandanas for “embodying this commitment and the willingness to sacrifice personal agenda.”
“Alam na alam po natin kung ano ang Mandanas Law. Dahil sa Mandanas Law, nabuhayan ng loob ang mga local government units sa buong Pilipinas dahil nagkaroon sila ng pag-asa na maisakatuparan ang kanilang mga proyekto at programa sa pamamagitan ng mas mataas na pondo mula sa national government,” she said.
The Mandanas-Garcia ruling is bureaucratic reform which fully devolves projects and programs in the local government units. Through the ruling, the LGUs will be granted a just share of the national taxes to support development endeavours in the LGUs. The law took effect this year.
“Governor Mandanas did not just win this for Batangas. He also won this for the entire nation. His triumph was also the triumph of all LGUs that now have the liberty to identify and implement priority projects and programs that are meant to uplift the lives of their constituents and bring opportunities for development in poverty-stricken areas,” the Vice President said,
“Maraming salamat po, Governor Mandanas, sa inyong pagpupunyagi at determinasyon. Salamat po, sir,” she added.
OVP Media