OLDER GENERATION GUIDING THE YOUTH IN NATION-BUILDING

It was the frailties of the older generation, passed on to the younger generation creating a deep divide, that has held back the development of our nation.

This was the statement made by retired Lt. Gen. Cesar Hawthorne Binag to the 250 criminology students of the Cordillera Career Development College and Easter College who attended the symposium: "The role of the youth in nation building" on August 28 at the CCDC gymnasium.

Binag, the president of Christians for Nation Building (C4NB), acknowledged the wrong decisions made by them—the older generation that led to what the nation is currently experiencing. Thus, it is also the responsibility of the older generation to correct those wrongdoings and make it right by investing in the lives of the younger generation.

"One of the things that we've been doing, based on studies the reason why ang bagal ng pag usad natin is that we are a divided nation and the division is so deep that according to experts, we need to reconcile with our past, with our history," Binag said.

He said according to experts, the past is always being blamed resulting to the country's slow progress as a nation.

"Kaya ang gusto nating mangyari, once and for all magkaroon ng kapatawaran ang lumang henerasyon at ang bagong henerasyon at sabay sabay tayong susulong at uusad sa bagong simula kung saan nanaisin natin. That's the intention," Binag said.

During the activity, Mayor Roderick Awingan joined the line representing the older generation of leaders who asked for forgiveness from the younger generation represented by the graduating students; the latter inheriting the problems created due to the shortcomings of the older generation of leaders and supposed nurturers of the youth.

The symbolic activity created a solemn moment of reflection for both generations to mull on the importance of each other's role in nation building, while seeking guidance and direction from God to start making the right decisions affecting their personal and communal lives.

Representatives from the students also stood up to share their response, where they accepted the apology, at the same time asked for forgiveness for being disobedient at times to their elders who are only doing their best to guide them in the right direction.

Awingan said to the students that their parents corrected them because they love them, thus they must also reciprocate their love through their responsible actions. He said now that both generations have acknowledged their own faults to each other and to God, a way to move forward is for everyone to accept each other's weaknesses and work on it to become a better individual.

"Let this be a start of a change that would come, we must have to do it right now, if not now, kailan pa? Lets always remember that the journey must start with a single step. And it must have to start right now," the mayor said.

Also present during the symposium were Dennis Butag, Dean of the College of Criminal Justice Education (CCJE); Lt. Cresilda Maestre of the La Trinidad Municipal Police Station; C4NB Baguio Benguet Coordinator Rev. Vio Muncada; and Lt. Col. Marvie Amilao, force commander of the Benguet 2nd Mobile Force Company.

The latter also discussed anti-terrorism, illegal drugs, gender-based violence, and career guidance during the symposium organized by the Christians for Nation Building (C4NB) movement in coordination with CCDC College of Criminology.

Author & Photographer: 𝘖. 𝘌𝘮𝘱𝘪𝘢𝘯

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