DAVAO CITY, Sept. 10 (PNA) — President Benigno S. Aquino III called on the youth to be prime movers in caring for the environment, when he met with pupils of the Teodoro Palma Gil Elementary School here on Wednesday.
Asked by an elementary student on government efforts to improve the quality of air in the country, the President noted that the government has a Clean Air Act, which aims to curb air pollution.
Citing an example, he said the Clean Air Act requires motor vehicles to undergo smoke emission tests.
“Isa sa mga ginawa ni (Interior) Secretary Mar (Roxas) ‘nung siya ay nasa DOTC (Department of Transportation and Communications), mayroong mga smoke emission testing centers na sinasabi mga 600 hanggang 800 sasakyan ang na-te-testing nila,” he said, adding that the government has also shut down establishments caught giving away fake certifications.
The President further said while the government is addressing illegal logging, it has also spearheaded the planting of at least one billion trees.
“Next year, matatapos natin ang target nating magtanim ng one-and-a-half billion trees,” he said.
He also said that the Climate Change Commission is carrying out measures that would better prepare the country for natural disasters.
“At siyempre, nandito tayo para mag-apela sa inyong lahat na kayong nakababata sa amin, importante na kayo ang maging matatag as prime mover,” he said.
As the country faces a severe spell of El Niño, the President said the youth could directly help by conserving water and by saving electricity, for instance by unplugging appliances that are not in use.
“Pero ang pinaka-importante, ‘yung mas aral kayo, mas bago ang kaalaman ninyo kaysa sa aming mga nauna sa inyo at nakakausap ninyo ang mga magulang ninyo. Maibabahagi ninyo ang natutunan ninyo para ‘yung kanila ring kaalaman ay maging makabago… para lahat tayo magtulungan sa problemang pare-pareho nating haharapin,” he said.
Responding to another question on the K-to-12 Basic Education Program, the President explained that the program brings the Filipino youth at par with their counterparts around the world, in terms of knowledge.
“Ang mungkahi dito bigyan ang kabataan ng sapat na panahon para matuto nang buong-buo para kayanin na makipagsabayan sa kaalaman ng maski sino man sa buong mundo,” he said.
He also advised his audience never to stop learning.
“Pag hindi ka tumigil mag-aral, talagang ito ang susi para umangat nang umangat. Pero the minute na sabihin mo, ‘Alam ko na lahat nang dapat kong matutunan,’ ito ang umpisa ng paglubog dahil parating nagbabago ang kaalaman ng dumarami. So, ulitin ko, mabibigyan kayo ng pagkakataon na isagad ang inyong oportunidad para kayo umasenso. Ito ang habol natin doon sa K-to-12,” he said. (PNA)