Maraming salamat. Thank you, Secretary Anton Lagdameo. [Please…]

Hindi pa kayo napagod sa Zumba. Magpahinga muna kayo. Pagpasok ko nga, sabi ko, “mali yata itong napuntahan ko, akala ko foundation day, may Zumbahan pala dito.”

Sabi ni Gov sa akin, ‘yun pala itong ginagawa ninyo pagka flag raising kaya lahat kayo mukhang gising na gising at malalakas ang katawan. Iyan ang kuwento satin ng ating butihing Governor, Governor Yvonne Cagas.

Davao del Sur Lone District Representative John Tracy Cagas [applause]; former Davao del Sur Governor at ang aking classmate sa Kongreso, kaming dalawa ni Cong. Anton Lagdameo noon, is ang ating dating Davao del Sur Governor Marc Cagas [applause]; my fellow workers in government; other distinguished guests.

To everyone in the coliseum and to all the sons and daughters of Davao del Sur living across the Philippines and even around the globe: a Happy 56th Founding Anniversary! [applause]

To see the bright colors in the streets, the beautiful [and] handsome faces of the people, and the breathtaking sights and experiences that this province offers, I am truly delighted to be with you all.

If there is one thing that I wish to emphasize during celebrations like this, it is not just the number of years that we must count and be happy for.

Instead, we must also celebrate the efforts of the people—from our officials to the citizens—in achieving a single purpose and that is for progress.

So, I am honored by all of you and those who came before you for having the heart to work together to turn the province into the peaceful and progressive place that it is today.

Ngunit hindi ako makapagtuloy na hindi ko on a more personal note na hindi ko napaabot sa inyo ang aking pasasalamat sa inyong binigay na suporta, sa inyong binigay na tulong [applause], sa inyong binigay na pagmamahal noong nakaraang halalan.

At noong ako’y papunta rito tinitingnan ko — binibigyan ako ng briefer. Palagay ko ang tatalo lang sa resulta dito sa Davao del Sur, Ilocos Norte na.

Kaya’t maraming maraming salamat. [applause] Asahan po ninyo hindi po mabibigo ang inyong binibigay na suporta. Kami po ay patuloy na ginagawa lahat po ng pinag-usapan natin noong eleksyon, noong kampanya ay hindi po campaign slogan lamang ‘yun.

Iyan po ‘yung sinasabing pagkakaisa. Lahat po nung ating mga pinag-uusapan, ngayon po wala na kami pong ginawa kung hindi ipatupad ang aming ipinapangako sa taong-bayan, ang aming ipinangako sa inyo. [applause]

But here in Davao del Sur, the 56 years of peace and progress in the many communities that make you up, let us give everyone a big round of applause for 56 years! [applause]

Let me acknowledge that this is the first province in the Davao Region to be declared insurgency-free and for doing your best [applause] to continue to maintain that status right up to this day.

Hindi maliit na bagay ‘yan. At alam naman natin na ang kailangan upang tayo ay magpaganda ng buhay ng ating mga kababayan ay ang kapayapaan. Kaya’t ‘yan ang unang hakbang.

Ang Davao del Sur ay nauna dito sa Davao region at patuloy na ginagawa ang lahat upang maging mapayapa ang inyong minamahal na probinsya.

Because through your diligent and compassionate implementation of the Tupad Pangako Program, you are able to accomplish this while also helping former rebels reintegrate into society to take part in building our nation.

I also recognize the Provincial Government’s dedication to improve your facilities, especially your healthcare system, so that you may better serve your constituents and even those from neighboring provinces.

Alam niyo naman po at naranasan natin ‘yung COVID. Lahat tayo ay dumaan diyan at marami talagang nahirapan. Hindi lamang sa kanilang mga katawan kung hindi sa kanilang paghahanapbuhay. Kaya’t ang pagbalik ng kapayapaan, ang pagpatuloy ng kapayapaan, ito po ang ating magiging pundasyon para ipatuloy ang progreso.

Hindi lamang dito sa Davao del Sur kung hindi sa buong Pilipinas.

We have experienced enough of the COVID pandemic and natural disasters [and] we must continue to fortify our health facilities to ensure our people’s health.

At marami tayong natutunang leksyon noong kabigatan ng pandemya na COVID at ngayon dapat lahat ng natutunan natin ay gawin nating totoo, na hindi na maulit, na kung mayroon mang dumating na ganyang sakuna ay tayo naman, mas alam na natin kung papaano maghanda, kung papaano pagalingin at alagaan ang ating mga kababayan.

But, I also acknowledge, accompanying that, your ongoing digitalization and streamlining of government processes to ensure you achieve sound fiscal management and bureaucratic efficiency.

To all the local leaders: Thank you for your service to the province and to your people. [applause]

It’s very encouraging to see you all working hand in hand, and to know that the Provincial Government’s projects are all aligned with my Administration’s Eight-Point Socioeconomic Agenda.

I urge all of you to remain determined in promoting peace, in promoting development in your province.

With the local government focusing on all aspects of your daily life that we have identified in the national agenda, we can look forward to a boost in local businesses, improved daily transactions, and an overall better quality of life.

Rest assured that the National Government fully supports you in ensuring the success of your initiatives and the success of the people and of the province of Davao del Sur. [applause]

Muli, uulitin ko ang aking pagpasalamat sa inyong suporta at tulong at pag-alala sa nakaraan. Huwag sana po kayong magsawa at kami naman ang aming isusukli sa inyong pagmamahal ay ang aming pawis na hindi mauubos hangga’t masasabi natin tapos na ang trabaho, hangga’t masasabi natin wala ng gutom na Pilipino. [applause]

Before I end, I once again thank you for your support for this Administration. It started before the election, until the election, until today.

Since the beginning of my candidacy, unity has been my constant challenge to the nation. So, I call on you: Let us make the province a beacon of progress for Mindanao and for the rest of the country.

Let us unite in taking care of your rich plains and valleys, your wonderful beaches, abundant seas, and, most importantly, the beautiful and reliable people that make this province truly remarkable. [applause]

Let us come together to provide brighter, more stable, and more prosperous lives for ourselves, our families, and for those who come after us.

Once again, Happy 56th Founding Anniversary to everyone! Mabuhay ang Davao del Sur! Maraming salamat po. [applause]

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