DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/22 August) — What do Mindanao’s teen “bosses” say when they write letters to President Benigno “Noynoy’ Aquino?
To recall, President Aquino in his inaugural said: “Kayo ang boss ko, kaya’t hindi maaaring hindi ako makinig sa mga utos ninyo. (You are my boss, so I cannot ignore your orders). We will design and implement an interaction and feedback mechanism that can effectively respond to the people’s needs and aspirations.”
In response to this, Voice of Mindanao initiated a “Dear P-Noy” letter-writing contest among Mindanawon youth. And the teen “bosses” responded.
Kenneth Varquez, 18, a sophomore in BS Civil Engineering at the Universidad de Zamboanga, placed fifth in the “Dear P-Noy” letter-writing contest. He “commanded” the President to “set a good example” to the Filipino youth.
Kristel Audrey Wertle of the Ayala National High School, Zamboanga City, fourth prize winner, “ordered” the President to “Give Mindanao rationally-designed projects and programs that will uplift the recipient communities away from a continuous cycle of dependency.”
“Being your boss, I ask you to improve education and build more infrastructures for more jobs and lesser OFWs. I will never forget you saying that ‘No one shall be left behind’,” wrote Farisia H. Buhari, 15, a senior high school student at the Pilar College in Zamboanga City and third prize winner.
Teresa Carmela Cruz, 18, an AB Mass Communications student at the Western Mindanao State University in Zamboanga City, wrote the President, “I really want to have peace in Mindanao.”
“I have already heard the peace advocates speak about the situation in Mindanao. For me, it’s one of the priorities that you should pay attention to,” wrote Cruz, who placed third.
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Mikaela Joyce C. Somera, 17, BS Mass Comm student at the Ateneo de Zamboanga University had no “order” to the President but expressed her dreams of “united Mindanao.”
“I dream of a Mindanao that is one in its vision to prosper. For this thing cannot be done by one person only. It cannot be done by a few. This dream will only come true if every Mindanaoan will work together in unity for the progress of Mindanao,” said Somera, who won second place.
First prize winner Julie Kristine A. De Guzman wants the President to look into the infrastructure for transportation, tourism and business in Mindanao since “lubusan na kaming naiiwan sa pag-unlad” (we have been left behind in development).
“Mabigyan sana ng atensyon ang mga kababayan nating walang ligtas at maayos na komunidad na tirahan. Magkaroon sana sila ng pagkakataon upang may maituring na tahanan….Maging ganap na malinis sana ang bawat sulok ng kalsada. Sana’y maituring na lugar para sa kalinisan ang mga lugar sa Mindanao. Mapayabong pa sana ang mga produktong likas sa Mindanao upang magsilbing pang-akit sa mga turista maging sa mga negosyante na magsisilbing daan upang mapayabong ang ekonomiya ng bansa (May attention be given to our fellowmen who do not live in safe communities. May they be given the chance to find a home…. May each street be really clean. May the areas in Mindanao be declared clean zones. May the products of Mindanao improve and prosper so that these will lure tourists and even investors on the road to a progressive country),” De Guzman wrote. (MindaNews)
