MANILA -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. honored this year’s Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos , saying their accomplishments are bringing the country closer to Bagong Pilipinas.

“The excellence that you have demonstrated in your pursuits is, truly, worth emulating,” President Marcos said during the awarding rites for the foundation’s outstanding Filipinos held in Malacañang on Thursday.

“Your accomplishments bring us also closer to Bagong Pilipinas that we are determined to build—a nation that has a globally competitive education system, a safe and empowered citizenry, and a society that offers equal opportunities for all,” the President remarked.

The awardees were commended for their service to the people and country and for unleashing a transformative force that created ripples of positive transformation in the communities and sectors that they serve, the President said.

Extending his heartfelt congratulations to the Metrobank Foundation’s awardees, Marcos said, “Your noble works as academicians, soldiers, and police officers are oftentimes the most demanding, exhausting, and wearisome professions out there.”

“Nevertheless, yours are also among the most important and hopefully the most rewarding and fulfilling vocations that there are.”

The President hailed the 10 awardees for taking the extra mile and for climbing the steeper mountain to greatly contribute to the development of their respective institutions and advocacy.

The foundation has been spearheading the program in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Savings Bank (PSBank), Rotary Club of Makati Metro, and the Rotary Club of New Manila East.

This year’s awardees will join the ranks of Metrobank Foundation’s exemplary Filipinos since 1985. (PND)