HONORABLE GOVERNOR JOSE SALCEDA;
Province of Albay
HONORABLE MAYOR HERBIE AGUAS;
Municipality of Santo Domingo
HONORABLE UNDERSECRETARY MARIO DERIQUITO;
Department of Education
HONORABLE _____________;
Department of Public Works and Highways
DISTINGUISHED GUESTS;
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:
Magandang umaga po sa inyong lahat. Nagagalak akong makasama kayong lahat ngayon sa ating pagtitipon. (Good morning to you all. I am glad to join you in today’s celebration.)
Kahanga-hanga talaga ang Bulkang Mayon. Totoong magayon. (Mayon Volcano is truly beautiful.)
In Japan we have Mount Fuji. In the Philippines you have Mayon Volcano. Both are renowned for its perfect shape. I have always wanted to see the famous mountain, so it’s a dream come true today.
Having said that, just like a rose has a thorn, beauty does not assure serenity. Mayon Volcano must be treated with respect. This project was launched to prepare for such dangerous eventuality.
The Philippines’ population is young with the average age of 22 and growing dynamically. Human resource is the best resource of the nation. So, it goes without saying that developing this resource by improving education facilities is a wise investment.
Furthermore, learning from our experience we are building back better. Learning from previous eruptions and the disasters which struck Japan, these school buildings will serve as evacuation shelters. In ordinary times, these school buildings will create a better learning environment and give better chance to the children of Albay. At the same time, when disasters caused by typhoons and mudflow strike, it will serve as evacuation shelters.
In the Great East Japan Disaster of March 2011, many of my compatriots were saved by such premeditated facilities. Also, I would like to point out that 17 schools in Leyte built by JICA which was designed to resist strong winds, all survived Yolanda. Those buildings served as evacuation centers and allowed an early restart of schools.
So investing in these projects pays. Because shelters in disaster times are priceless. As they say, “better safe than sorry.” Ang edukasyon at pag-iingat sa matinding sakuna ay mahalaga.(Education and disaster prevention are important.)
With your cooperation and support, I am confident that this project will give a better chance for prosperity and safety to your community. It is my sincere wish that your success will inspire other communities to invest in better preparation for disasters. Mananatili tayong magkaibigan. (We will always be friends.)
Maraming salamat po at Diyos mabalos. (Thank you and good day.)
