By Sunday Punch
Senator Alan Peter Cayetano on Monday urged the local officials of the City of Taguig to help steer their constituents away from destructive vices by encouraging them to engage in community life.
“Ang mga nag-aadik sa sugal, sa alak, sa drugs, may kulang ‘yan sa buhay nila kaya do’n sila sa adiksyon napunta,” Cayetano said during the inauguration of the Bagumbayan Multipurpose Building on December 23, 2024.
Emphasizing the importance of building a strong sense of community, the senator encouraged barangay officials to create infrastructure and spaces where families can come together, enjoy each other’s company, and access essential services.
He noted that mutual care and unity were the very foundation of Bagumbayan’s growth long before it became prosperous.
“No’ng ang mga barangay facilities natin ay napakaliit pa, ang naging sikreto n’yo ay ‘yong indibidwal na pag-aasikaso. Wala man masyadong pondo, welcome naman kayo kahit anong oras dito,” he said.
Cayetano acknowledged the challenges brought by rapid urbanization, especially the lack of connection among residents due to population growth.
He emphasized that cultivating a strong community spirit could help restore the sense of belonging that characterized Bagumbayan in its earlier days.
“If you can make mga taga-Bagumbayan addicted to community life, make mga taga-Bagumbayan y’ung pamilya, yung communication, yung sama-sama, then maybe, despite yung population growth, mayro’n ‘yong dati nating sinasabing na dating Bagumbayan na magkakilala lahat,” he said.
Taguig, led by his wife Mayor Lani Cayetano, operates under the slogan “Transformative, Lively, and Caring Probinsyudad,” guiding the City Government’s plans for the city’s growth and development.
“Let us make this (multipurpose building) a place where families come together, na ‘yong lolo sinasamahan ng apo diyan sa park sa likod; na si lolo’t lola may kailangan or si apo may suspected na TB, ayan may health center; o kaya ang mga kabataan may dance number, [dito] magsasayawan,” he said.
Cayetano also announced plans to improve another community center in Bagumbayan.
“Isa sa susunod natin y’ong community center do’n (sa Joseph), pagagandahin natin. ‘Yong initial ay seven floors lang pero pinag-aaralan na natin kung puwedeng more than ten floors na may parking do’n sa community do’n,” he shared.
The Cayetanos have been advocating for a 25-year development plan for Taguig, aimed at sustaining the city’s economic growth. The senator stressed that while the plan will take time and effort to implement, community unity will be the key to its success.
“Mabilis pong lumaki ang Taguig. Pero kung magagawa nating tunay na Probinsyudad – nagmamahalan sa bawat isa at mahal ang Diyos – we [can accomplish] our purpose,” he said.