FOLLOWING President Ferdinand Marcos Jr’s vow in his State-of-the-Nation Address, Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian leads other concerned government officials in carrying out the task to make sure that no more children would be seen crossing the rivers in remote communities just to reach schools.
Gatchalian was also quick to add that President Marcos’ instruction is not just for a particular place or specifically in Midsalip town, Zamboanga del Sur, where children who’re seen crossing the rivers in order to reach schools went viral, but for the entire country.
“Ang utos sa amin ng Pangulo hanapin lahat ng mga ilog na tinatawiran ng mga bata para makapag aral. Lahat ng mga ilog na kailangang lagyan ng hanging bridge, pinahahanap na sa atin sa buong bansa. Ang mensahe ko ngayon ay mensahe ng Pangulo. Hindi niya kayo nakakalimutan. Natatandaan niya kayo at nadidinig niya kayo.”
Last week, Gatchalian was joined by some members of the media during an immersion tour in Barangay Pisompongan, also in the town, which was sponsored by the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS).
He also took them to Barangays Lower Timonan and Lower Landing in Dumingag town, where two bridges were constructed through the KALAHI-CIDSS with counterpart funds from the local government units.
“The President instructed me and Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. to ensure that no child should be crossing a dangerous river just to get to school. We will make sure that all those rivers have appropriate hanging bridges to ensure the safety of the children,” the DSWD chief said.
In line with the Chief Executive’s instruction, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity will construct bridges over three rivers, with the DSWD undertaking the construction of a hanging bridge for the remaining river through the KALAHI-CIDSS, Gatchalian said.
“Baka isipin niyo o baka naman pagkatapos magpunta ni Secretary Gatchalian ay tapos na. Hindi ho, itaga ninyo sa bato, kung hindi mapagagalitan ako ng Presidente. Babalik kami dito next April or March, tatawid ang tao dun sa bagong tulay na kayo din ang magtatayo,” he told the villagers.
“Minsan, ang budget kulang, ang systems matagal, pero dito sa KALAHI-CIDSS program mas mabilis. Bakit? Kayo na ang pumili ng proyekto, kayo na din ang magtatayo ng proyekto at kayo na din ang mag-aayos ng proyekto. Kasi pag malaki pang contractor ang gagamitin, matagal pa.
The KALAHI-CIDSS is a globally recognized poverty alleviation program for its community empowerment component.
