MANILA City Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso challenged the students of Far Eastern University (FEU) to become an exemplary of good citizenship with the right mindset and attitude to spur change in the country’s capital.
“Every person, as part of the community, has responsibilities to uphold. One of them is to reflect on our outlook toward the government so we can understand better how to contribute to the improvement of the society,” he said during a forum, titled “A Talk with Our Mayor,” held recently at the FEU’s main campus in Sampaloc, Manila.
The event was aimed at beefing up the future generation’s awareness of current social issues and empower them to come up with positive solutions.
Domagoso asked for the students’ cooperation to help sustain the local government’s dramatic transition, following the clearing operations in Divisoria and Claro M. Recto Avenue areas of illegal vendors, and unnecessary structures and obstructions that contributed to Manila’s perennial traffic problem.
The clearing activities were held a couple of days after he took his oath of office in June.
The local chief executive encouraged the FEU students to start disciplining themselves by going early to school to avoid heavy traffic, and to avoid coming late to classes.
He urged those whose father are jeepney drivers to ferry their passengers to the right destinations and not cut their trips short just to avoid heavy traffic.
“Why always put the blame to the government? We have faults, of course. But it’s your responsibility also to change your mindset and attitude because you are in control of your life. If you have that mindset, you start to believe in the government and that people like you is part of governance,” Domagoso said in mixed Filipino and English.
The mayor, likewise, appealed to his constituents, including the youth, to bring back their trust to the government. Instead of looking at the shortcomings, he said that they must appreciate the positive things their leaders have done, and spread or duplicate such to the benefit of their communities.
“We should start here at FEU. Let’s make this campus clean, respectful and in harmony with its neighbors. Attitude and mindset are the keys,” Domagoso said.
The city mayor also imparted his vision of leadership and social responsibility to the students of FEU. As a token of appreciation, the school presented to him the FEU Publications’ Walk Manila book, which features 100 historic locations and structures in the capital.
“The book [provides] maps of the heritage sites and walking tours in the City of Manila. We share this in gratitude and in support of the Mayor’s thrust to creating a better city for Manileños,” said FEU Senior Vice President for Corporate Affairs Atty. Gianna R. Montinola.