Lobregat dares grads to exert greater effort

MAYOR Celso Lobregat challenged the 677 graduates of the Zamboanga State College of Marine Sciences and Technology (ZSCMST) during its 46th Commencement Exercises on Thursday.

“Education is the highest expression of your achievement in life. After your graduation today, you must exert much greater effort to make something out of it,” said Lobregat.

“Nobody truly knows what the future really holds but that is all the more reason to work harder, to prepare yourselves to become better, more productive individuals of character and great potentials,” Lobregat said in his keynote address.

“Your parents, teachers and government can give you the tools, the knowledge and skills that you can use to reach your dream, but it is ultimately your choice whether you use them or not and what to make of yourself. We will do our best to give you the best education, but whether you reach your aspirations or not is entirely up to you,” Lobregat added.

Lobregat said the City Government attaches great importance to the promotion and welfare of the youth the reason why he embark in a massive school building program and other education-related projects.

From 2007 to 2012, the City Government’s investment in education has reached P1.3 billion, roughly a third of the P5.4 billion spent in infrastructure projects.

He also thanked ZSCMST under the leadership of its president, Dr. Milavel Nazario, for participating in various programs initiated by the local government.

ZSCMST is also a strong partner of the City Government in protecting marine resources. (Bong Garcia)