Aspiring president Vice President Leni Robredo has encouraged nursing students to keep learning and be active in their own communities as they prepare to be become the future of the country's medical sector.
In her message to the students of Bulacan State University during a webinar on Friday, Jan. 14, Robredo told the aspiring healthcare workers that they are a significant part in achieving a "better normal" for the country.
"Ang panawagan ko sa inyo ngayon (My appeal to you now): Learn all you can, at ibahagi ito sa mga komunidad na pinakanangangailangan (and share this to your own community). Go where you are most needed, and there, apply yourselves fully," Robredo said.
"Extend yourselves and widen your circles of service and compassion. Be active in your communities, listen to the people and partner with them to the find gaps that need to be filled," she added.
The Vice President further said that the last two years have not been easy, especially for the medical frontliners. She blamed "the lack of decent and good leaders" over the continuous increase in people getting infected of coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
The aspiring president emphasized that in the future, the nursing students will take charge in helping and caring for patients and "will lead in forming a deeper culture of care and compassion."
"Years from now, you will take charge in the clinics, hospitals, and other medical facilities you’ll find yourselves working in. Simbolo kayo ng pagmamahal na nasa loob ng bawat Pilipino— at kayo ang mangunguna sa pagbuo ng mas malalim na kultura ng pag-aaruga at pagmamalasakit (You are a symbol of the love within every Filipino— and you will lead in creating a deeper culture of care and compassion)," the Vice President said.
She also expressed her confidence for the future medical frontliners as they continue to learn amid the pandemic.
"And as future nurses and future leaders, panatag ako dahil nakikita kong sama-sama ninyong pinipiling paghusayin ang sarili para makapaglingkod nang mas mabuti sa kapwa (I am assured because I see you coming together to learn and better yourselves to offer service to your fellowmen),"she said.
Robredo is running for president in the May 2022 elections.