VICE President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte called on members of a non-profit organization to prioritize the value of education for young Filipinos.

In her message at the 77th Annual Ball of the Marilao Social Circle Foundation Incorporated at the Liwasang San Miguel Arkanghel BUlacan, Duterte urged everyone to work together and make sure that Filipino children can study and complete their education.

“Sa lahat ng mga narito ngayon, magtulungan po tayo para ma-isakatuparan ng mga kabataan ang kanilang pangarap,” Duterte said.

“Magtulungan po tayo at tiyakin natin na makapag-aral sila at maitawid nila ang kanilang edukasyon,” she added.

Duterte was guest of honor and speaker in the event.

The Vice President, who is also Education Secretary, also called on parents to make sure their children are in school, and protect them from criminality, drugs, insurgency and terrorism that may destroy their dreams and their future.

“Magtulungan din tayo na mailayo natin ang kabataang Pilipino sa kriminalidad, sa ilegal na droga, at sa mga grupong kalaban ng pamahalaan katulad ng NPA at mga alyadong grupo nito,” Duterte said.

“Ang pangarap ng Department of Education — magkaroon tayo ng mga kabataang Pilipino na may puso para sa Pilipinas. Mga batang makabansa. At nais natin na ang Pilipinas ay isang bansang makabata,” she added.

She also shared the department’s MATATAG agenda in basic education, which hones children to be patriotic and become productive, reliable, and holistic pillars of nation building.

Acknowledging the importance of livelihood in sustaining a family’s day-to-day needs, Duterte shared the Office of the Vice President’s Mag Negosyo Ta ‘Day (MTD) project, which capacitates interested individuals to properly manage business and receive a starting capital for their desired venture.

The MTD aims to assist women and members of the LBBTQI+ by augmenting their daily income, making them economically empowered and independent. It was one of Duterte’s flagship projects when she was still mayor of Davao City.

The OVP has adopted the project for nationwide implementation.

Duterte thanked the Marilao Social Circle Foundation for being a good example to Filipinos in continuing the tradition of unity, cooperation, charity, and faith along with their enthusiastic support for the development of the people.