DE CASTRO CITES ROLE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION
April 23, 2008

Vice President Noli “Kabayan” De Castro underscored the importance of science and technology education in the country’s bid to cope with challenges in the areas of food and energy sufficiency and security.

De Castro made the remarks last week (April 15) at the graduation rites of the Central Luzon College of Science and Technology in Olongapo City . According to De Castro, the role of science and technology in the affairs of the nation will continue to expand as we search for answers on how to feed our growing population and how to sustain economic growth which requires increasing supply of energy.

“Expertise in science and technology must be accompanied by a strong patriotic desire to make a difference in the lives of our countrymen. Otherwise, we will simply lose our growing number of experts in this field to the lure of greener pastures overseas,” he explained.

At the same ceremonies, De Castro also urged the graduates to follow the example of the late President Ramon Magsaysay who hailed from Zambales province. De Castro called on the graduates to emulate the example of Magsaysay who refused to allow poverty to stop him from pursuing his dreams and to eventually become one of the nation’s most beloved leaders.

He noted that Magsaysay had very humble beginnings. The late president’s mother was a teacher while his father was a blacksmith. To support his college studies, Magsaysay worked as a chauffer and was a mechanic before the war broke out.

“Magsaysay’s success was largely due to the power of his dream, the bigness of his heart and his willingness to work very hard,” De Castro explained.

He emphasized that more than ever, the country needs a new generation of Magsaysays who will have big dreams, big hearts for others, and the ability to work hard to achieve their goals.

“Your success will not be measured in terms of the wealth you amass for yourselves but in terms of the difference that you made in the lives of our countrymen. The true greatness of Magsaysay lies in the inspiration he gave to us: to rise above poverty and ordinariness of our lives and become great Filipinos,” De Castro said.

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