VICE President and Secretary of Education Department Sara Duterte joined the nation in celebrating the National Teachers’ Day.

Duterte opted to celebrate the event in Bangued, Abra to show her support and concern to the teachers and their families affected by the powerful magnitude 7.1 earthquake.

In her speech, Duterte recognized the teachers’ role in shaping the young Filipinos’ minds and in nation building.

“Ang atin pong mga guro ay ating mga dangal ng bayan and dapat po nating bigyan ng importansya ang kanilang role sa ating nation building. Napakahalaga po ng ating mga guro in molding the youth — who is the future of our country,” Duterte said .

Duterte also called on Filipinos to thank the teachers for academically and morally honing the schoolchildren.

“Kaya po dapat tayong lahat ngayong araw na ito, lahat ng mga teachers na nadaanan natin, ay magpasalamat tayo sa kanilang dedication, sa kanilang integrity, sa kanilang disiplina na tulungan tayong lahat,” Duterte said.

The Vice President arrived early in the province to conduct her usual school visits, giving teachers the opportunity to have a sit-down meeting and discuss matters pertaining to DepEd’s updates and the challenges in their delivery of services to learners.

Duterte also brought her “PagbaBAGo” campaign to students in the town.

She also took the time to visit the exhibition of local products at the Abra Sports Complex.

In her speech before the mentors and education stakeholders, Duterte revealed that her office chose Abra “to show moral support to teachers” who were affected by the Magnitude 7 earthquake last July.

“Kaya sabi ko, punta tayo sa mga teachers na nangangailangan ng stress debriefing, kailangan ng relaxation dahil hindi po madali na dumaan sa 7-magnitude na lindol,” Duterte said, adding that the Teachers’ Day celebration was originally scheduled in Davao Region.

She said they highly care for the teaching force for their dedication and hard work especially that they carry on their shoulders the task to educate children who are the next generation of leaders.

“Kaya gusto naming malaman ninyong lahat, mahal namin ang mga guro hindi lang sa Department of Education kundi lahat ng guro kahit sa private sector, kahit mga retired na, kahit yung mga susunod pa na mga guro na ngayon ay nasa higher education at ang kanilang intention ay pumasok sa ating Philippine Education System para magturo ng ating mga learners,” she added.

Meanwhile, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos also joined the celebration to represent her husband, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Duterte also took the chance to thank the people of Abra for supporting her father’s, former President Rodrigo Duterte, administration.

“Si Pangulong Marcos po at si Pangulong Duterte ay nagpapaabot ng kanilang pagbati sa inyong lahat hindi lamang dito sa Abra kundi sa buong Pilipinas. Sa lahat ng ating mga teachers, Happy World Teachers’ Day,” she said.

The Office of the Vice President, through the Disaster Operations Center, also distributed a total of 3,119 rice packs to the teachers.