Rizal 2nd District Rep. Fidel Nograles has called on the country’s youth to play an active role in helping fasttrack the post-pandemic recovery efforts.
Nograles, vice chairman of the House Committee on Higher Education, aired the appeal as he launched over the weekend the Forward to the Future Nation program in Montalban (Rodriguez) Rizal.
Youth leaders in the locality joined the lawmaker during the launch of the FFN which seeks to harness the youth’s energy and creativity to help in nation-building and post-pandemic recovery.
"Ang ating mga kabataan ang magpapatuloy ng ating mga nasimulan na hangarin para sa ating bayan. Sila ang ating natatanging pag-asa na muli tayong babangon bilang isang mas matatag na lipunan (Our youth will pursue what we have started for our country. They are the only hope we have to rise again as a strong society).” said Nograles, a Harvard alumnus.
He cited Montalban’s youth for their enthusiasm in participating in community development projects.
“Montalban’s youth have been key partners during my first term as congressman, and particularly during pandemic relief and in our re-greening activities. Going forward, we are committed towards providing a platform for our youth to play a more active role in governance,” Nograles said.
The The Harvard alumnus said that local governments should capitalize on the voluntary spirit and intimate knowledge of technology in reimagining the way public services are delivered.
“Napakaraming magandang ideya ng mga kabataan, at handang-handa silang ialay ang oras at lakas para makatulong. At bilang digital natives, may mga bentahe at pananaw sila na madalas hindi napapansin ng mga nakatatanda. (Our youth are full of good ideas and they are prepared to offer their time and strength to be able to help. And as digital natives, they have the advantage and perspective that their elders overlook) ,” he said.
Since “it is their future that is imperiled because of the pandemic,” it is only right that the youth's inputs on how to rebuild their communities be given more weight, Nograles added.
Nograles is running for representative in the newly-formed fourth district of Rizal.
Republic Act 11533, which reapportioned Rizal’s second legislative district into three districts, was passed in March this year. Nograles authored the measure that became the basis for the new law.
The current second district retains the municipalities of Cardona, Baras, Tanay, Morong, Jalajala, Pililla, and Teresa. The town of San Mateo, meanwhile, is the new third district. ###