VP Sara urges families to prioritize education amid rising costs

Vice President Sara Duterte on Monday urged Filipino families to prioritize their children’s education despite rising costs, warning that the coming months could bring even greater financial strain due to increasing prices of basic goods and fuel.

In a speech during the Rambakan Festival in Lamut town in Ifugao, Duterte acknowledged the growing burden on households as inflation continues to affect daily expenses.

“Habang tayo ay dumadaan sa krisis na biglaang pagtaas ng presyo ng mga produkto kasama na ang krudo… magiging mas mahirap ang mga susunod na linggo at mga buwan,” she said.

(As we go through a crisis marked by the sudden increase in the prices of goods, including fuel… the coming weeks and months will become more difficult.)

She noted that families already struggling with limited budgets may face even tighter financial conditions.

“Kulang na nga ang budget noon, sigurado mas lalaki ang kakulangan. Puno na nga tayo sa utang noon, ngayon mas lalo pang lalaki ang pangangailangan natin sa pondo,” Duterte added.

(The budget was already insufficient before, and the shortfall will surely grow. We were already burdened with debt, and now our need for funds will increase even more.)

Despite these challenges, the Vice President stressed that education should remain a top priority.

“Pero nakikiusap ako sa inyo, huwag nating tipirin ang edukasyon ng ating mga anak,” she said.
(But I appeal to you, let us not cut back on our children’s education.)

She emphasized that investing in education remains key to helping families overcome poverty.

“At araw-araw huwag natin kalimutan na ipangaral sa kanila ang kontribusyon ng kanilang edukasyon sa pag-ahon nila sa kahirapan,” Duterte said.

(And every day, let us not forget to teach them how education contributes to lifting them out of poverty.)

Duterte also underscored the importance of balancing development with cultural preservation, noting that progress should not come at the expense of tradition.

“Our heritage should guide us as we move forward. When culture and progress are recognized together, we build not only stronger communities but also a future where our children embrace their roots as they embrace progress,” she added.—MCG, GMA News