Actor and Quezon City Representative Alfred Vargas has been chosen as this year’s The Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) honoree for Public Service.
“I never expected that one day I would stand here today as an honoree and counted alongside my idols and the movers and shakers of our nation,” Vargas said as he accepted the award Friday night.
Vargas was recognized by TOYM for his efforts in providing affordable house and lot to several communities in Quezon City.
“Hindi biro ang usapin ng pabahay at palupa in Metro Manila, especially in Quezon City in Novaliches area where we have the 60 percent of informal settler families (ISFs),” the lawmaker said.
“After several challenges like lack of funds, three death threats mula sa mga sindikato, disagreements between stakeholders, formulating sustainable solutions, and finding common ground regarding these solutions, and many more, here are a few things I’ve learned: First, everyone’s voice should be heard, especially the voices of the urban poor; secondly, all big things start from small beginnings; and, always stand by your principles,” he continued.
The Palupa program of Vargas was successful in providing several ISFs with their own house and lot within Quezon City.
Vargas was also recoanized for being the pricipal advocate of the National Integrated Cancer Control Act (NICCA). He dedicated his award to his mother, who died of cancer in 2014.
“No Filipino family deserves to lose their loved ones, give up their savings, their house, their livelihood, and end up buried in debts at the same time just because cancer cane knocking at their doors. Now, makakasama nyo ang gobyerno sa laban ngcancer. Hindi kayo nag-iisa. Bawat Pilipino magtutulungan, pribado man o gobyerno,” he stressed.
The law on cancer prevention will create canter centers throughout the country, to aid in government efforts in extending financial and other forms of assistance to cash-strapped cancer patients.
With the theme, “Celebrating Excellence. Inspiring Filipinos,” the TOYM awards seek to give national recognition to men and women aged 18-40 whose selfess dedication to their profession or vocation has resulted in significant contributions to the welfare of Filipinos and the country, as well as to the advancement of their respective fields of endeavor.
This year’s honorees include journalist Atom Araullo (Broadcast Journalism) and Noveleta, Cavite Mayor Dino Chua (Tourism).
Previous TOYM honorees include former Senator Ninoy Aquino (TOYM awardee for Public Service, 1960), famed director Lino Brocka (Arts, 1975), National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab (Contemporary Music, 1978), former Senator Miriam Santiago (Law, 1985), former Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo (Government Service, 1990), Broadway star Lea Salonga(Theater Arts/Music 1990), journalist Jessica Soho (BroadcastJournalism, 1993), and former Senator Loren Legarda (Broadcast Journalism, 1992), and Chiara Zambrano (Journalism, 2017).