Rep. Wilbert T. Lee of the AGRI party-list group on Wednesday cited the importance of educators’ role in achieving a better future by starting with shaping the principles and mindset of the youth.
During the recent Regional Research and Development Coordinating Council meeting of Bicol Consortium for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development (BCAARRD), Lee imparted his insights on the perennial problems of the agriculture sector and the country before Presidents of State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), teachers, researchers and representatives from non-government organizations, and national government agencies.
“There is no one to blame in this dire situation but ourselves, because as Filipinos, we tend to be tolerant, forgiving and are already thankful for meager service from the government,” Lee said.
Lee posed a challenge to SUC presidents, teachers, and the academe as a whole in fulfilling their role since education is key in empowering the youth to be responsible and compassionate citizens.
“Lahat po ng ito ay nagsisimula sa atin pong mga paaralan, sa ating mga kabataan. Ang sabi po ni Gat Jose Rizal, ‘ang kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan’. Ang sa akin naman, ‘ang pag-asa ng bayan ay nasa mga guro.’ The future is the youth, but this future is shaped by our teachers,”
the solon from Sorsogon said.
“As educators, it is upon you to make meaningful change happen. You have to produce graduates who not only have the brains to build a better world but also the hearts to give back to the poor. The future we want to create is not just a more intelligent, advanced world but,
more importantly, a more caring, sharing community,” he added.
The lawmaker further reiterated that SUC graduates are expected to serve the people, especially the poor, and to ease their plight and improve their lives because every peso spent for their education is a peso deprived from the service for the poor.