PUERTO PRINCESA CITY — House Committee on Higher and Technical Education Chairperson and TINGOG Party-list Rep. Jude Acidre urged graduates of Western Philippines University to use their education not only to improve their own lives, but to help open doors of opportunity for others.
Acidre delivered the commencement address during the 56th Commencement Exercises of Western Philippines University on Tuesday at the City Coliseum in Puerto Princesa City.
“Ngunit huwag ninyong kalilimutan na ang isa sa pinakadakilang anyo ng tagumpay ay hindi lamang ang pag-angat ng sarili kundi ang pagtulong upang makaangat din ang iba,” Acidre told the graduates.
He said graduation is more than a personal milestone. It is also a call to responsibility, especially for graduates whose education will help shape the future of their families, their province, and the country.
“Huwag lamang ninyong itanong, ‘Hanggang saan ako makararating?’ Itanong din ninyo, ‘Sino ang maaari kong paglingkuran at matulungan?’” Acidre said.
He said WPU’s role is not only to form graduates who can succeed in their chosen fields, but to help prepare young people who can pursue progress that protects life, respects Palawan’s people and culture, and safeguards the natural resources that sustain the province.
“Dito sa Palawan, ang tanong ay hindi lamang, ‘Kaya ba nating umunlad?’ Ang mas nararapat na tanong ay, ‘Paano tayo uunlad sa paraang inaalagaan ang buhay, iginagalang ang mga pamayanan, at lumilikha ng mas magandang kinabukasan?’” Acidre said.
Acidre said the same belief guides his work in Congress, particularly in advancing education reforms that create more opportunities for Filipino learners, workers, teachers, and families.
He cited the Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program Act, which recognizes learning gained through work and life experience; the Expanded Career Progression for Public School Teachers Act, which provides better career pathways for teachers; and the amendments to the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, which seek to strengthen support for students from families most in need.
For Acidre, education policy must always be measured by how it changes lives.
“Ang mga hakbang para sa edukasyon ay hindi lamang tungkol sa mga batas, salaping gugulin, o gawaing ipatutupad. Ang mga ito ay may tuwirang bunga sa buhay ng mga tao,” he said.
He urged the graduates to remain rooted in the people and places that formed them and to become part of building a stronger Palawan, MIMAROPA, and the Philippines.
“Kayo ang magiging bahagi ng paghubog sa kinabukasan ng Palawan, ng MIMAROPA, at ng ating bansa,” Acidre said.
Acidre also thanked the parents, families, faculty, administrators, and staff of Western Philippines University for helping form graduates who are not only capable in their fields, but also grounded in service and responsibility. “Taos-puso ko kayong binabati, mga nagsipagtapos ng Western Philippines University Class of 2026,” Acidre said.
