Chatolic Educators call for "Moral Revolution"
Saturday, September 23 2006 @ 06:40 PM BST

Bro. Crispin recieving the award.

A group of Catholic educators on Saturday called on the youth to go Back to basic Filipino values and start a "moral revolution" to help in nation-building.

At the 2nd National Congress of the Federation of Catholic Schools Alumni Assocations (FeCaSAA), held in cooperation with the Catholic Educational Assocation of the Philippines (CEAP), Bro. Rolando R. Dizon, FeCaSAA chair, said the theme of their congress, "Good Citizenship for National Transformation," is very timely and relevant for their group and the country.

He explained that this is because the challenges they and the nation Are facing are formidable. Dizon noted they were gathered to meet such challenges together.

Dizon, former Commission on Higher Education (CHED) chair, noted the country's economy is showing signs of recovery and increasing stability, citing that the macro-economic indicators are improving.

On the other hand, he said widespread poverty continues to plague the Filipino people, such that 40 percent still live below the poverty Level with an income of US$ 2 or some P100 a day.

Dizon stressed, however, that the greatest crisis the Filipino nation Is facing at present is one on faith and hope, citing more and more Filipinos are giving up on the country and opting to go overseas for work and emigration.

For his part, lawyer Alexander L. Lacson, author of the book "12 Little Things Every Filipino Can Do For Our Country" believes a great part of the solution to the country's problems comes from the people. This, Lacson said, can only come through "good citizenship" which is A crucial ingredient for the country to prosper and progress.

The book author emphasized that in essence, good citizenship is really about patriotism, about people becoming responsible citizens, performing their duties to their country, as well as caring for the other members of society, especially the youth, the weak and the poor.

For her part, Commissioner Teresita D. Baltazar of the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission (PAGC), said it is about time to stop fixation on good governance and relying much on government alone. Baltazar stressed government alone cannot solve the problems, adding The burden of national development should be shared by all. She pointed out that the Filipino values enshrined in the Constitution must be observed and strengthened even more. These values are faith in God, unity, patriotism, respect for life, law and government, truth, justice, freedom, love, equity, peace, search for common good, environment and order. She urged everyone to live with these values to be able to help in nation-building.

In the same occasion, the FeCaSAA bestowed the "Manuel L. Quezon Award for Exemplary Governance" for outstanding leadership and example achievement in their own fields to the ff:

• Rina Lopez-Bautista, in the field of mass communication and distance learning
• Bro. Crispin P. Betita, Jr., in the field of youth welfare;
• Dominador D. Buhain, in the field of education;
• Sec. Rafael L. Coscolluela, in the field of regional government service;
• Jose L. Cuisia, Jr., in the field of banking and finance;
• Antonio P. Meloto, Jr., in the field of community housing development; and
• Randolph S. Ting, in the field of local government service.