Noy on EDSA 1: We can’t go back to old ways

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino said he has lived up to the spirit of the 1986 EDSA people power revolution by ensuring that the mistakes of the past will not be repeated and by leaving a much better Philippines to the next generation.

The President made the statement during the Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations (TAYO) awarding ceremonies held yesterday at the Heroes Hall of the Palace in celebration of the 29th anniversary of the revolution.

Aquino also said that in regaining democracy through a peaceful uprising against the dictatorial rule of the Marcos regime, the interest of the majority prevailed, along with freedom from a crooked system that could be passed on to the next generation.

“We really have come far because we chose to do what was necessary and put the interest of the majority first. Despite this, we know that we have a lot more trials to face. But do we give up now that we are able to realize what were mere ambitions before? Do we draw back when many more of us are working toward greater development now?” he added.

But the President admitted that the challenges he faced were not easy. He cited the crises that hit the country in 2013 like the strong earthquake that struck Cebu and Bohol, the Zamboanga City siege and Super Typhoon Yolanda that devastated the Visayas.

But the President gave assurance that he would continue to strive for a better economy and improve social services for all Filipinos. He said the government is also working to provide jobs for the people to lift them from poverty.

The President called on the young not to be weighed down by negativism and to always do the right thing.

He told the winners of the TAYO Awards that once the wisdom of the older generation is infused with the vibrancy of young people, the nation could go far.

The winners of this year’s TAYO Awards are the Phi Lambda Delta Sorority, Kanlungan Pilipinas Movement, Rescue Assistance Peacekeeping Intelligence Detail (RAPID), the Cauayan City National High School-Red Cross Youth and Junior Rescue Team, Katipunan ng mga Kabataang Santiagueño, ACCESS-PYLP Alumni Association, Move This World-Pilipinas, Youth for Environment in School Organization, Indigenous Youth Servant Leaders Association of the Philippines, and the University of San Agustin Little Theater.

Meanwhile, the military said it did not detect any threat or coup plot that would threaten the leadership of the President and disrupt the celebration of the 29th anniversary of people power.

Armed Forces spokesman Col. Restituto Padilla said crowd management, not ouster plots, is the main concern for the anniversary of the revolution, which comes exactly a month after the Mamasapano clash.  –With Alexis Romero, Cecille Suerte Felipe