SAN JOSE DEL MONTE CITY, Bulacan – President Macapagal-Arroyo led groundbreaking ceremonies for a new college building here and called on the youth to value their education because that was where the country’s standing in the international community depended on.

The President led the groundbreaking ceremony for the Bulacan Polytechnic College (BPC) in Barangay Tungkong Mangga here.

She said the youth should continue to work hard to become the next generation of leaders who would help in reshaping the country’s future.

Youth’s time

“It is your time now to help lead the country, to reshape its fate before the world. Use this opportunity of education, finish your degrees ... [and] don’t let the chance slip away,” she told college and high school students who attended the ceremony here on Wednesday.

“Ang edukasyon ay matibay na sandalan ng leadership ng ating pamahalaan lalo na sa darating pang bukas. Panahon na ang kabataan manguna sa bayan at sa bansa kaya dapat kumilos na (Education is a strong pillar of leadership in our government, especially in generations to come. The Filipino youth should play a part in leading the nation),” she said.

She said BPC would be a helpful tool, especially for Bulacan students, in shaping their professional careers.

Fund sources

San Jose del Monte Rep. Arthur Robes initiated the establishment of the BPC to bring affordable education to his constituents.

Robes said funds for the construction of buildings in the college would come from Ms Arroyo and from the funds of Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile.

Education was allotted the biggest amount in the national government budget next year, but critics of the government said it was not enough.

Some said corruption in the education sector was eating up much of the funds allotted to keep children of school age from quitting.

In many cases, poverty was the main reason why thousands of children quit school.

Many parents said they couldn’t afford to send their children to school because they barely have money for food.