(Photo courtesy: PCO)
QUEZON CITY, (PIA) -- Teachers from different parts of the country came together over the weekend to express their profound gratitude to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for giving them a prominent platform to voice their concerns and for demonstrating empathy through the administration’s “Bagong Pilipinas” campaign.
Dr. Myra Borja Mangkabung, Schools Division Superintendent of Basilan in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), shared her heartfelt sentiments about feeling valued by the simple yet significant gestures President Marcos extended to the teaching community during the "Konsyerto sa Palasyo."
"In my 50 years of teaching, this was my first time visiting Malacañang on Sunday and attending a concert specially dedicated to educators. We are very happy now that our voices are being heard. They are listening to the voices of teachers. We uplift our Filipino people from poverty. So, maraming salamat, President Marcos," said Dr. Mangkabung.
Michelle Rubio, Education Innovation Ambassador of Sorsogon, echoed the sentiments of Dr. Mangkabung, emphasizing that President Marcos has been the sole leader who made them feel genuinely appreciated amidst the myriad of challenges faced by educators during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Rubio said the concert for teachers was President Marcos’s unique way of expressing his genuine concern for the teaching community.
"Kaya po ako ay natutuwa po na isa tayo sa mga nakadalo dito at nagkaroon ng konsyerto para sa ating mga kaguruan para maipadama ng ating Pangulo ang kahalagahan naming mga guro," she said.
Engr. Reynaldo Ramos further highlighted that the "Konsyerto sa Palasyo" was not just a showcase of Filipino talents, but also an effective way for the Marcos administration to demonstrate its special regard for educators.
"Having this event inside Malacañang, it really boosts our morale as teachers na napapahalagahan ng ating gobyerno ang mga sipag at tiyaga ng mga guro sa Pilipinas," Ramos added.
"Ito po 'yung isang masasabi ko na isang 'Bagong Pilipinas' kung paano tayo makatulong sa ating bayan o sa ating bansa," he further said.
John Edward Atiwag, Master Teacher II of the Jose Panganiban National High School in Camarines Norte, conveyed his happiness and gratitude for how President Marcos is giving importance to their noble profession.
He expressed that, in his 10 years of teaching, it was the first time a government had organized a special event at the Malacañang grounds in honor of teachers during the Teachers' Month celebration.
"Talagang overwhelming and nag-uumapaw 'yung kasiyahan naming mga teacher," Atiwag remarked.
Jocelyn Edralin Cacho, Executive Assistant III Philippines Postal, emphasized that the "Bagong Pilipinas" campaign of President Marcos plays a pivotal role in uniting the Filipino people. Cacho, teacher Eloisa Mangulad Mabborang, and the Teachers of Central Mindanao University also expressed their profound gratitude to President Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte for organizing the concert for teachers.
"Sobrang excited at sobrang nakaka-proud na maging teacher. Sobrang hinintay ko talaga 'yung araw na makapunta na talaga dito. Alam ko iyon din ang nararamdaman ng lahat ng mga teachers na kasama natin ngayong hapon," Mabborang said.
Vice President and concurrent Education Secretary Sara Duterte, for her part, extended her heartfelt thanks to President Marcos for giving utmost importance to all teachers. As the concurrent Secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd), she assured all teachers that the Marcos administration, the national government, and the local government units (LGUs) will continuously support them.
"Nagpapasalamat tayo sa lahat ng mga guro sa serbisyo nila sa bayan natin at nagpapa-abot tayo ng suporta sa kanila na maging matatag sila sa hamon ng pagpapa-aral nang mabuti sa ating mga learners," Vice President Duterte said.
"At nandito lagi ang Department of Education at ang buong national government kasali ang mga local government units natin na susuporta sa ating mga guro at mga paaralan," she added.
The Office of the President organized the "Para Sa Mahal Nating Mga Guro" concert at the Malacañang grounds on Sunday, upon the request of Vice President Duterte, as part of the administration's efforts to celebrate Teachers' Month this October. (PIA-NCR)
