President Benigno S. Aquino III tours and inspects the facilities of Monsignor Aloysius Shwartz Memorial Center of the Sisters of Mary Girls Town during the visit in Barangay Biga 2, Silang, Cavite on Monday (November 03). The Sisters of Mary School is a non-stock, non-profit, non-paying, live-in secondary institution for the marginalized poor of our country. It is maintained and supported mainly by donations, gifts and bequests coming noble, selfless and well meaning persons and entities, local and foreign. (MNS photo)
MANILA (Mabuhay) — President Benigno S. Aquino III on Monday lauded the Sisters of Mary School for helping the Filipino youth, especially the poor, and vowed that the government would continue to support its initiatives.
Speaking before the students of the Sisters of Mary Girlstown in Silang, Cavite, President Aquino praised the children for bringing hope to their loved ones, as well as to the country.
“Kahanga-hanga nga kayong lahat na piniling ipagpatuloy ang pag-aaral sa kabila ng mga kinakaharap ninyong hamon sa buhay. Ang babata ninyo, ambibigat na ng hamong kaharap ninyo,” the Chief Executive said during his speech.
The President visited and inspected the facilities of the Sisters of Mary Girlstown in Cavite on Monday afternoon.
“Kapag nakapagtapos kayo at nagsimulang gamitin ang mga natanggap ninyong biyaya upang maging tanglaw sa iba, magiging kabahagi kayo sa pagsusulong ng isang Pilipinas na mas maunlad at mas malapit sa Diyos,” the Chief Executive said.
President Benigno S. Aquino III tours and inspects the facilities of Monsignor Aloysius Shwartz Memorial Center of the Sisters of Mary Girls Town during the visit in Barangay Biga 2, Silang, Cavite on Monday (November 03). The Sisters of Mary School is a non-stock, non-profit, non-paying, live-in secondary institution for the marginalized poor of our country. It is maintained and supported mainly by donations, gifts and bequests coming noble, selfless and well meaning persons and entities, local and foreign. (MNS photo)
“Pinatutunayan ninyo: Kapag binigyan mo ng oportunidad ang Pilipino, ano man ang kanyang kalagayan, saan man ang kanyang pinanggalingan, hindi niya ito sasayangin. Sa halip, gagawin niya ang lahat ng kanyang makakaya upang makiambag sa makabuluhang transpormasyon ng atin pong lipunan,” he added.
Founded by the late Fr. Aloysius Schwartz, the Sisters of Mary School started its operation in the country in 1985. The sisters work primarily by establishing Boystowns and Girlstowns that serve as a school and home for poor but deserving students.
During his speech, President Aquino thanked the school, its teachers and benefactors for helping the government in its efforts to give the Filipino youth, especially those from poor families, a brighter future.
The President also vowed that the government, through Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), would continue to support the school’s initiatives.
“Umasa kayo: Magpapatuloy pa ang suporta ng inyong pamahalaan sa mabuti ninyong gawain. Tuloy ang suporta, halimbawa, ng TESDA: Mula 2008 hanggang 2013, 19 na programa ninyo ang nairehistro at apat naman ang nabigyan ng accreditation bilang assessment centers,” he said.
“Sa pamamagitan nito ay nasisiguro nating sapat at angkop ang nakukuhang pagsasanay ng mga mag-aaral sa Technical Vocational Education and Training. Sa ilalim naman ng Training for Work Scholarship Program, 288 slots ang naipagkaloob sa inyong mga mag-aaral mula 2010 hanggang 2013,” he said.
The President also cited the 200 scholarship vouchers that were given to the students of the Sisters of Mary to become part of TESDA’s Special Training for Employment Program.
“Sa programang ito, tinutukoy ang espisipikong pangangailangan ng komunidad, at saka sinasanay ang mga mag-aaral upang matugunan ito. Sa ganitong sistema, ang mga magtatapos ay hindi lang mabibigyan ng hanapbuhay; makakapag-ambag din sila sa kanilang komunidad,” he said.
In cooperation with TESDA, President Aquino also cited that a student of Sisters of Mary was awarded with a medallion of excellence for Fashion Technology at the 10th ASEAN Skills Competition in Hanoi, Vietnam, last month.
“Napatunayan ninyong malayo ang mararating natin kapag sama-sama tayo sa paghakbang,” the Chief Executive said. (MNS)