Rizal 2nd District Rep. Fidel Nograles lauded the youth’s voluntary spirit, as he welcomed close to 700 new members in a growing youth movement based in the town of Montalban.
"Ibang-iba na po talaga ang kabataan ng Montalban. Sila pong dating nagbubulag-bulagan at nagbibingi-bingihan, sila pong dating kibit-balikat sa mga problema ng Montalban, sila pong dating nagrereklamo sa tamang landas, ay kasama na natin sila ngayon sa paghanap ng solusyon—sa ating panawagan na Forward Now Montalban. (The youth nowadays have become different. They used to ignore things, they did not care about the problems of Montalban, they have become the object of complaints but now they are joining us in looking for solutions - to our call for Forward No Montalban.)” Nograles said.
A total 670 new members from Brgy. San Jose and Brgy. San Isidro were welcomed into the Future Natin Community Youth group during a two-day event.
The group now has 1,485 members.
Nograles sees the youth group as "partners for change, who are crucial in our hopes of getting things done to make Montalban better.”
He touted the FN youth group’s public service initiatives, as they have been actively involved in reforestation activities along the Wawa River to help prevent flooding in the district, as well as in disaster relief and response efforts, including clean-up and repair operations in schools.
Nograles has been calling on local governments to capitalize on the youth’s energy and creativity, as well as their knowledge of information technology, in seeking solutions to issues surrounding the delivery of public service.
“We need modern solutions, and more importantly, a modern way of thinking in solving our problems. Malaki ang maitutulong ng mga kabataan sa usaping ito. At ang mas mahalaga pa, nais nilang umambag at makibahagi sa paglutas ng mga problema natin. (The youth can help a lot in this issue. And the more important thing is they want to contribute and participate in solving our problems),” the Harvard-trained lawyer said.
Nograles vowed to provide a platform for Montalban youth to play a more active role in governance.
“Gusto din natin na maging pambansang kilusan ito, kaya sa hinaharap ay makakaasa kayong lalawakan pa ng FN Youth ang partnership sa iba’t ibang grupo. Mas maraming volunteers, mas maraming magagawa. (We intend to transform this into a national movement, so in the future we assure you that the FN youth will partner with different groups. The more volunteers we have, the more things we can achieve.),” the solon said.