“Na-realize po namin na lahat tayo ngayon ay very important. And the government still needs us to contribute to discussion, we need to be vigilant in our own communities. Kailangan tayo na tumulong at ang tulong na yan ay through sa mga civic organizations. Let us become their voices because the government will never know what is happening in our communities if we don't speak out as constituents. Huwag tayong basta lang nakaupo na nakikinig and not contributing anymore to discussions,” she said during the closing ceremony of the training which was held at Provincial Planning and Development Office Conference Hall in Basco, Batanes.
(We realized that we, the members of CSOs, are very important. And the government still needs us to contribute to the discussion; we need to be vigilant in our own communities. We need to help, and that help is through our civic organizations. Let us become their voices because the government will never know what is happening in our communities if we don't speak out as constituents. Let's not just sit and listen and not contribute anymore to discussions.)
The training, which gathered CSO representatives to include fisherfolk associations, the Tricycle and Drivers Association (TODA), the Riders Club, the Senior Citizens Association, Barangay Health Workers (BHWs), Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNSs), and the Rotary Club of Batanes Isles, was able to instill new skills and knowledge in the participants from the 14 topics discussed by resource speakers.
“Thank you for the skills and knowledge being imparted to us na kailangan namin na ipakita at mag-contribute pa din. That we need to be there not only present but very active contributing our ideas also we can become useful still. We are now equipped with skills that we can use. Magugulat si Mayor, pagbalik natin sa mga meetings niya na maging active na tayo. You have empowered us and thank you for that,” Gonzales added.
(Thank you for the skills and knowledge being imparted to us that we need to show and contribute. That we need to be there, not only present but very active in contributing our ideas. We are now equipped with skills that we can use. The Mayor will be surprised when we return to our meetings that we will be more active. You have empowered us, and we thank you for that.)
Tricycle driver Ronald Oswald Alasco also shared the same sentiments with Gonzales, as he emphasized that once he goes back to their municipality and attends meetings to be called by the local government unit, he will become more active by participating in discussions and sharing valuable input from the sector he is representing.
