Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano challenged young people in Bulacan to help address recurring flooding and take an active role in shaping the future of their communities.
“Alam ng Diyos ang paraan pero may kapangyarihan sa inyong mga bibig. Sabihin nyo ‘Lord, hindi mo ipamamana sa akin ng isang Bulacan na bahain,” Cayetano told the young participants in his speech at the Councils of Bishops and Ministers Association of the Philippines Inc. (CBMAP) Youth Conference.
“Sabihin nyo ‘Lord, hindi mo ipamamana sa akin ng isang Bulacan na bahain.”
The veteran legislator drew from Taguig’s experience to encourage young Filipinos to envision a better future for their province.
The seasoned lawmaker recalled that in the 1990s, long before the city became known for major developments such as Bonifacio Global City (BGC) and Arca South, roughly one-third of Taguig experienced flooding during the rainy season.
“Alam ninyo kung bakit ako nakakapagsalita ng ganito? Noong 1990, I was 20 years old, one-third ng Taguig, ‘pag umulan ng October hanggang January, binabaha kami,” the senator said.
He shared how faith leaders continued praying for Taguig’s transformation despite having no engineering expertise, political influence, or financial resources.
“Addressing flooding also requires practical solutions through government leadership, engineering interventions, or measures against corruption.”
Cayetano acknowledged that addressing flooding also requires practical solutions through government leadership, engineering interventions, or measures against corruption.
He encouraged young people to recognize their potential to contribute to their communities, stressing that they have a role in shaping the conditions that future generations will inherit.
Drawing from Taguig’s experience, Cayetano expressed hope that the next generation would take an active interest in overcoming their communities’ longstanding challenges, particularly flooding in Bulacan.
“Young people, nasa kamay ninyo ang future ng inyong mga lugar, lalo po dito sa lalawigan ng Bulacan,” he concluded.
