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President
Gloria Macapagal Arroyo called the Boholano youth to
lead the country in realizing the country's vision of
becoming a model of environmental stewardship within
five years during her address at the Bohol Youth Day
celebration at the CPG Sports Complex yesterday.
"We
want our coral reefs and our beaches, the wonders of
the world, to be transformed into national parks and
international sanctuaries for eco-
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tourism
and scientific research" she told the crowd of Boholano
youths and barangay leaders estimated at 20,000.
The
President's call matches with the active advocacy here in
the province for environment protection.
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Like
her previous visit here, Pres. Arroyo almost entirely
delivered her speech in Cebuano as she urged the youth
"to craft a new quality of life where we can sustain
the youthfulness and beauty of our nation".
She
shared her vision of new quality of life for the country
and asked everyone's involvement in realizing the Green
Philippines Program and starting it here in Bohol.
In
her speech, the president said the "Green Philippines
Program (GPP) aims to make our country energy efficient"
and stop dependence on environmentally harmful sources
of energy.
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Speaking
of alternative sources of energy as the country hopes to lessen
reliance on non-renewable energy, she suggested the use of
solar energy, wind and geothermal resources.
"We
still have time to shape up our nation in the right direction:
clean, healthy, productive and beautiful," she added.
"We
wish for our youth here in Bohol to join the new and Green
Philippines. I issue the call of action to you, the Bohol
youth so we can do this in the next five years."
The
president's address with the youths coincided with the kick-off
ceremonies of GPP where she handed narra seedlings to Gov.
Erico Aumentado. The governor also shared the responsibility
to Sangguniang Kabataan federated president Frances Bobbith
Cajes-Auza.
Implemented
through an agreement with the Commission on Higher Education
and the National Youth Commission, Green Philippines now taps
the youth to sustain an ambitious plan to regain the forests,
which the country has lost in the last centuries.
"This
is the time that the young generation should get involved
in civic life and work to make your personal fortunes,"
according to the President.
While
a fast-paced global progress is happening, the President challenged
the Boholano youths to "be at the forefront of the global
workforce.
Pres.
Arroyo was accompanied by senatorial candidates of Team Unity.
She also urged the youth and the sectors present to show "strong
will so the politicians would listen to the vision for a new
and clean Green Philippines".
"I
then call on our youth to respond to the call to action so
we can bring out new innovations in land management, care
of our environment, and the ways for us to effect a clean,
socially responsible environment policy," she stressed.
PINOY
RESILIENCY
The
surge of Philippine exports to the highest level in seven
years marks the productivity and resiliency of the Filipino,
according to Pres Arroyo.
In
her speech, the President said the 27.3 percent export jump
to $4.17 billion in January, the fastest annual pace since
1999, was made despite the continuing strength of the peso
and the relative volatility of overseas markets.
"Made
in the Philippines" has become a tag of quality, consistency
and excellence," she pointed out. "This comes with
growth and stability in all economic and political fronts,
and the surge of optimism and national pride among our people."
The
President concluded her speech by asking for Boholano support
to the senatorial bets of the Team Unity.
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