VICE President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte called on residents of Malaybalay City, Bukidnon to prioritize children’s education as key to sustainable national growth.

Duterte urged everyone, especially parents, to ensure their children are sent to school and provided with necessary education for their personal growth.

“To the parents, grandparents, cousins, aunts, and uncles, let’s make sure our children, grandchildren, younger siblings, cousins, and every child in the province and the rest of the country go to school, and let us not allow them to stop schooling,” she said in a message during the province’s Kaamulan Festival.

Duterte was guest of honor and speaker in the event.

Recognizing the challenges that curtails development, the Vice President underscored that quality education is key to every Filipino child’s bright future, uplifting the family’s living conditions, and creating an impact on national growth.

“Going to school or finishing education is the key for a child to have a better life. It ends the cycle of poverty experienced by many families in various communities,” she added.

Duterte also asked parents to unite and cooperate in combatting the security threats on children.

“Let us keep them away from criminality, drugs, insurgency, terrorism, and other things that will ruin their future. Let us bring them to schools, sports, and encourage them to participate in local government activities like this,” she said.

“Stop supporting the NPA because that will destroy your children’s future),” she added

Kaamulan Festival is Bukidnon’s celebration in recognition of its seven tribes, which bring cultural diversity in the province.