Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia urged students to value their education as this will be their ticket to achieve a better future.
Leonardia made the remarks as he led officials during the turnover of educational assistance to 160 college students residing in Barangay Mandalagan, Bacolod City Saturday.
The financial aid, the release of which was facilitated by the Sangguniang Kabataan of Mandalagan led by its chair Mary Joy Galleto, was sourced from the barangay funds.
Under the SK-led program, each student-recipient received P2,000.
Another batch will get a similar assistance in January next year, said Galleto, who joined Leonardia and Barangay Captain Arturo Parreño during the turnover rites Saturday.
Leonardia said that education is one of the top priorities of his administration, which paved the way for the establishment in 1997 and the eventual expansion of the Bacolod City College.
That is why, the mayor continued, he makes it a point to attend to activities of young students as it is a venue for him to communicate with them and share the local government’s development initiatives and education programs.
“This is about education that is why I said I need to come here. If you are wondering why we showed the pictures of Bacolod now and Bacolod tomorrow, I just want you to know that all of those improvements and developments in Bacolod, those pictures you saw will tell you that it will give opportunities for employment and livelihood,” Leonardia said.
He added: “I believe what we need in life are two things: ability and opportunity. We will try our best to give you opportunities, but the abilities should come from you. If you focus on your education, chances are, you will succeed and will become higher and bigger. That’s why we are investing in education,” the mayor said, apparently referring to the continued strengthening of the BCC.*
