CABANATUAN CITY, Nueva Ecija—Sen. Cynthia A. Villar on Friday called on graduates to pursue an entrepreneurial career that would get them an opportunity to employ people, instead of seeking employment.
In her speech as guest during the graduation ceremony at the state-run Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology (NEUST) here, Villar noted the “harsh reality that many graduates face now—the lack of job opportunities.”
“Hindi naman kaila sa ating lahat na malaking problema pa rin ngayon ang unemployment at underemployment [We are all aware that there is still a big problem on unemployment and underemployment],” she said.
However, graduates should never be discouraged; instead they should be ready to face the challenges that await them, she said.
“Unemployment rate is still high. Pero hindi lang naman paghahanap ng trabaho ang option na available sa inyo. [Looking for a job is not the only option available to all of you] There is always the option to go to entrepreneurship—to be an entrepreneur, to employ people instead of getting employed,” the senator said.
She narrated how she and former Sen. Manny Villar, her husband, started their business with minimal capitalization before getting a low-interest loan.
Villar, who has been advancing the cause of farmers, has authored the Open Learning and Distance Education Act of 2014 and the Ladderized Education Act of 2014, both to give the youth wider access to education.
She also passed the Universal Access to Tertiary Education or Republic Act 10931.
Acknowledging the sacrifices of parents just to send their children to school, she said, “I share the mixed emotions of mothers and fathers here today. Parents work hard to provide their children with good education, because we believe it is valuable inheritance—something that cannot be taken away by anyone, something that cannot be diminished but rather even enhanced.”
Villar commended the NEUST, headed by its President Fely Jacoba, for excellent performance.