PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III said Wednesday he was ready to step down from the presidency with his head held high as he remained true to his mandate throughout the six years of his presidency.
“Our term is almost over. With just 43 days left we will step down from our post. Nevertheless, you can see that we are continuing with our work,” Aquino said.
“We are doing this to its fullest to have the opportunity to serve our Bosses, the Filipino people,” he said during his speech at the Presidential Enactment Ceremony for R.A. 10821 or the Children’s Emergency Relief and Protection Act in Malacañang.
The new law seeks to provide children with comprehensive relief and protection in the aftermath of disasters.
RA 10821 establishes a strategic program of action so that the government can immediately respond to the needs of children, protect their rights and facilitate rehabilitation.
Aquino said the law strengthens the mandate of the government to put up evacuation centers with facilities for children and pregnant women.
He said the law also mandates child-responsive training for emergency responders in calamity-hit areas.
“What I can say is that on the 30th of June, at around noontime, we will step down from our post peacefully, we could look with heads up high towards the Filipino people, and with eye to eye, we can say ‘I have been honest with you. I have fulfilled the mandate given by my Bosses’,” Aquino said.
“Until the end, it is an honor for a Noynoy Aquino to serve a great race, my Bosses, you the Filipino people.
“Surely, we will bequeath to the future generations a Philippines that is far better than we have found it. And we’ve done it because we worked together. We lifted each other up and put our people and nation before our own interests,” said Aquino.
Aquino and his appointees in Malacañang have started packing up, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said earlier.
A Presidential Transition Commission has also been formed for the transition process from the Aquino government to the administration of incoming President Rodrigo Duterte.
