Marcos to youth leaders: Makialam kayo

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. on Wednesday advised youth leaders to voice out their ideas and be more involved, especially in the realm of public service.

Marcos, in his remark during the oath-taking of newly elected Liga ng mga Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan National Island Representatives at the Palace, recalled the role of Kabataang Barangay, which was created under the term of his father, the late President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., that engaged the youth in public affairs. 

''Simple lang ang slogan ng Kabataang Barangay eh, 'Makialam, makialam,' Tama 'yun, dapat ganoon pa rin ang gagawin ng kabataan. Kung mayroon kayong nakikitang mas magandang pamamaraan, sabihin ninyo, isigaw ninyo. 'Yung mga matatanda hindi makikinig sa inyo pero pilitin ninyo,'' Marcos said in his speech. 

(The slogan of Kabataang Barangay is simple and that is to get involved. That's right. The youth should continue to do that. If you know better practices, say it. The old ones won't listen to you but encourage them.)

Marcos cited the importance of youth in public service as he emphasized that the government needs to be revitalized, have new blood, and acquire new ideas. 

''But that kind of intuitive and instinctive knowledge from the youth is what we need. And we are... The future is going to be technology driven and that is why the natural instinct of younger people, when it comes to technology is important. It has to be part of all our thinking. It has to be part of all our planning,'' he said. 

Marcos promised that his administration would listen to what the local government officials, including the youth leaders, would say regarding government service. 

''We have to hear from the ordinary citizens what is the future that you want? What is the future that you feel we can achieve? And how do you suggest that we do it? These questions are very, very important and these are questions that we ask of the local government and I promise you, we will listen to those answers,'' he added. 

Marcos also recalled that during his stint as governor of Ilocos Norte, he knew everything about his province. 

''Nobody knows more about my province than me because I'm the governor and that translates to the local government, to the barangay officials. Nobody knows more about your barangay than you, that's why it's important that we listen to you... and we do, we listen to you and you tell us,'' he said. —KBK, GMA Integrated News