TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, Nov. 4 (PIA) -- Bohol Gov. Erico Aristotle Aumentado rallied for local government officials to follow the former president’s example in providing the light for the youth’s path and lead them to realize their hopes for the society.  

Former President Carlos P. Garcia (CPG) bowed out of public service unstained with corruption, which according to the governor was a final feather on his cap.

“He lived and died a poor man. And he anchored this on his love for humanity and deep faith in God,” Aumentado pointed out during the event which also featured the awarding of post humous awards to past Bohol governors.

The governor recalled that in his inaugural address, he also paid tribute both to CPG and his father, whom CPG groomed to emerge among Bohol’s most prolific leaders and gave birth to the young governor’s passion and commitment to serve his fellow Boholanos as a public servant.

He cited CPG’s ‘Filipino First’ policy of putting the welfare of Filipinos ahead of foreigners in trade and industry, which has been the inspiration for his Bohol First policy enshrined in his Abante Bohol slogan.

Also inspired by the former President’s goal of ensuring food security in the country by establishing the International Rice Research Institute in Los Baños, Laguna, Aumentado is now laying the engines of farm mechanization for agricultural productivity for the province to survive the economic difficulties now.

He also cited CPG’s ‘Austerity Program’ that put limited resources to smart and wise use.

Aumentado said he also wishes for the youth to see the scholar, teacher, poet, orator, lawyer, political economist, guerrilla and military leader, and public servant par excellence traits of the former president who was many things to many people. (RAHC/PIA7 Bohol)