Continue to do part in nation-building, PNoy tells outgoing Cabinet execs

Outgoing President Benigno Aquino III on Thursday urged members of his Cabinet to continue doing their part in nation-building even as they step down from office in seven days.

At the conferment of presidential awards to various heads of government departments and agencies, Aquino said they “cannot be complacent” even as they are set to take a break from government service.

“Awards like the ones we are conferring today must always remind us of how much our country needs everybody's help, and how—as regular citizens—we must remain engaged in improving the lives of our fellowmen and protecting our democratic way of life,” Aquino said.

“Now that our time in office is coming to an end, we must continue to do our own, small part in the grand task of building a nation. And I hope that, perhaps even on an unofficial level, we may still find ourselves working together, as fellow citizens this time, to give rise to a Philippines that we can be truly proud of,” he added.

President Aquino and his appointed Cabinet officials are to step down from office on June 30.

Aquino recognized the sacrifices of his officials, many, he said, gave up their careers in the private sector and time with loved ones to help in his reform agenda despite the attacks against them.

“Each of you has shared in the burden, and each of you has made it a little bit easier to carry the responsibility of bringing hope and a better life for our people,” Aquino said.

“Indeed, over the course of our administration, I have remained keenly aware of everything you have given. This is why, every time I am praised for anything, I make it a point to say that I couldn't have done anything without you, and without our countrymen, simply because that is the truth,” he added.

Aquino conferred the Order of Lakandula to some of his Cabinet officials, and the Presidential Medal of Merit on sub-Cabinet members.

Those given the Order of Lakandula are Secretary Jose Rene Almendras of the Department of Foreign Affairs; Ramon Jimenez, Department of Tourism; Mel Senen Sarmiento, Department of Interior and Local Government; Janette Garin, Department of Health, Voltaire Gazmin, Department of National Defense; Rosalinda Baldoz, Department of Labor and Employment; and Armin Luistro of the Department of Education. 

Also given the same recognition are Secretaries Rogelio Singson of the Department of Public Works and Highways; Mario Montejo, Department of Science and Technology; Cesar Garcia, National Security Council; Luwalhati Antonino, Mindanao Development Authority; Corazon Soliman of the Department of Social Welfare and Development; and Joel Villanueva, director general of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

The Presidential Media of Merit meanwhile was given to the following: Susan Reyes, assistant secretary of the Office of the Social Secretary; Celia Anna Feria, chief of Presidential Protocol; Emmanuel Esguerra, director general of National Economic and Development Authority and Secretary of the Socio-Economic Planning; Manuel Quezon III, undersecretary of the Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office; Lilia de Lima, director general of the Philippine Economic Zone Authority; and Gerardo Angelito Esquivel, administrator of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System.

The same was given to Robert Vergara, president and general manager of the Government Service Insurance System; Arnel Paciano Casanova, president and chief executive officer of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority; Mary Ann Lucille Sering, secretary of the Climate Change Commission; Chito Cruz, chairman of Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council and General Manager of the National Housing Authority, and Cesar Villanueva, chairman of the Governance Commission for Government Owned or Controlled Corporations. —KBK, GMA News