President Benigno S. Aquino III graces the Ulat ng Technical Education and Skills Development Authority kay Juan at Juana at the Brick Plaza of the TESDA Complex in Taguig City on Tuesday (June 14). With the President are former TESDA head and now senator-elect Joel Villanuea and Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldos. (MNS photo)
MANILA (PNA) – President Benigno S. Aquino III on Thursday encouraged young engineers who have undergone the Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) training program not to lose focus on what they are doing so they could help their countrymen.
The President told graduates of the DPWH’s Cadet Engineering Program (CEP) in Malacañang that it is heartwarming to see the youth take an active role in nation building.
“The point I am really just trying to raise is: It’s really heartwarming to see the youth really taking an active role in building this country and putting their talents to the use of our countrymen,” he said in his speech.
“Dito iyong ipinapakita ninyong pagdamay sa napakarami nating mga kababayan na sigurado naman akong nakatulong na kayo sa pagpapaganda ng buhay nila, e talagang nakakapuno ng puso ko nga na maganda ang patutunguhan ng bansa natin.”
The President said he is glad that today’s youth are shaping the future of the country, building from what the administration has begun.
“So, I’d like to encourage you, ‘ang life will have ups and downs. Importante huwag tayong mawalan ng focus — Bakit ba natin ginagawa ang ginagawa natin?” he said, adding that everyone should become a “man for others.”
He expressed hope that the young professionals would not lose vision, pointing out that even if they do not immediately reap the benefits of their efforts, their hard work will not go unrewarded.
Presented during the event were the graduates of the second batch of the CEP and candidates for graduation belonging to the third batch of the CEP.
Implemented in 2013, the CEP is part of the DPWH’s anti-corruption program and investment in human resources development, held in partnership with the First Pacific Leadership Academy. The program aims to set new entry standards for civil engineers in the bureaucracy.
A total of 125 young civil engineers were recruited based on their academic backgrounds and performance through interviews and examinations from a pool of applicants nationwide.
Out of 125 cadets, 46 came from the National Capital Region and the remaining 79 came from other parts of the country. About 70 percent of the cadets graduated from state colleges and universities, among them the University of the Philippines, Mindanao State University, Central Mindanao State University, and Polytechnic University of the Philippines.
Two batches composed of 81 cadets have completed the program, with the third batch of 44 cadets set to graduate on June 28.
The 26-day program, which consists of six weeks of foundation course and 20 weeks of on-the-job-training, covers technical knowledge, strategic thinking, leadership, public service, and values and professional ethics.
The DPWH also started last year the Young Engineers Recruitment Program, hiring 1,400 registered civil engineers nationwide, aged 30 years and below, and offering them a competitive salary that starts at P30,417.
The program aims to encourage top civil engineering graduates to get employed and start their careers at the DPWH instead of working overseas.
These young civil engineers were deployed to different provinces in the country. (PNA)