Isko vows to invest in future of youth

CABUYAO, Laguna, Philippines  – Manila Mayor Isko Moreno yesterday said his administration would prioritize investments to ensure the future of the youth, if he gets elected president.

“If the youth are the hope and future of the country, then let’s invest in the youth,” Moreno said in Filipino during a dialogue with the youth here.

“I will make sure your father gets a job and you go to school, a good school. Access to facilities and educational institutions will also be provided,” the Aksyon Demokratiko presidential candidate said.

To do this, Moreno said he would continue the Build Build Build projects of the current administration, at the same time embarking on projects to build more public schools, public hospitals and public housing to generate more businesses and jobs.

Moreno said his administration would also invest in information technology infrastructure, particularly in improving internet connectivity for the educational needs of the youth.

Likewise, he said his administration would prioritize the teaching of subjects that would make the youth more competitive with those from highly developed nations.

“We will continue to invest on STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) so that we will be competitive with Singapore and other countries. We will go to that direction,” Moreno explained.

Moreno’s economic agenda of slashing the excise taxes on oil products and electricity and reviving micro, small and medium enterprises represent investments for the future of the youth as these would result in more savings for their parents.

Since most fresh graduates get their first jobs in business process outsourcing (BPO) centers, Moreno cited the need for more investments in human resources development for transformation from BPO to KPO (knowledge process outsourcing) which gives three times better pay.

“Pag graduate niyo, we will engage new developments from BPO to KPO. For new graduates, we need to adopt the new skills,” he said.

Moreno said he is confident that he can deliver on his promises as he had already accomplished them in Manila.

Under Moreno, the Manila government has built seven hospitals, seven public schools, distributed tablets to public school students so they can continue their education under the blended learning scheme.

They were also given access to free WiFi, as well as regular allowances for public college students.

“Don’t lose hope. Don’t give up. Study hard. I have to pursue my life in education. I struggled hard to study,” he said.

When he first entered public service as city councilor at age 23, Moreno then was only a high school graduate. He pursued higher education to polish his knowledge and skill, subsequently earning a degree in Business Administration at the International Academy of Management and Economics.

Moreno continued his graduate studies at the Harvard University under the Executive Education Program and the Strategic Leadership Program at Oxford University.

Moreno also had two years of law studies at Arellano University, Masters in Public Administration at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila and Local Legislation and Local Finance at the University of the Philippines’ National College of Public Administration and Governance.