DAVAO CITY — In powder blue toga, the 460 boys and girls ages 16 to 17 who belong to the 58th graduating high school students of the Ateneo de Davao University were honored by the presence of Bureau of Internal Revenue Commissioner Jose Mario C. Bunag as their commencement speaker and disclosed to them the plans of his bureau for the youth.
Bunag who is also a Blue Knight being a graduate of the Ateneo de Manila University came to Davao City to share his experiences and his commitment while serving the government.
A boy from the province Bunag became a successful lawyer who specializes in taxation and pursued a post graduate education at New York University.
Given such inspiration Bunag told the young graduates to have a dream and pursue that dream, remain humble, keep a sense of humor and not to be cynical about love.
Bunag on the other hand told the fresh graduates that although they will no longer be covered by it, tax education will be implemented in elementary and high school level in coordination with the Department of Education.
He said taxes are taught in Araling Panlipunan but it needs to be reinforced even as he said that they are working on a curriculum because teaching the young early on taxes will give them better understanding and make them responsible citizens in the future.
Taxes, he said, is the lifeblood of government and no government would function without it.
From a well placed career I landed in government where the pay is low because working in government will not make big profit. But my joining the public service is pay back time for me because me and my family all the while enjoy peaceful environment, he said.
He said despite the many complains in government it has maintained peace and order amidst its limitation.
Bunag reported to the parents of the graduates who are mostly working in government and private companies and businessmen the increasing collection of revenues where in 2006 it was able to generate P542 billion.
This will allow government to plow back projects to citizens, he said.
Meanwhile Katrina Mae C. Santos, class valedictorian told her fellow graduates to do more and aim for the best even as she said that the medals that the honor students receive are just ribbons outside the box
She reminded them to remain strong and unyielding in faith.
Santos was also awarded the Fortes-In-Fide Excellence Award and the Gerry Roxas Leadership Award and academic excellence awards in Christian Life Education, Mathematics, and Science. Salutatorian Earnest John Algabre got the Academic Excellence Awards in English, Flipino and Social Studies. While Allen Ross S. Dizon was awarded the St. Ignatius Service Award and the AY Foundation Award for National Discipline.
Santos and Algabre led other honor students and graduates among others Lynn Miguel Q. Estoque, Michail T. Sto. Domingo, Vimischa Marga C. Balazo, Ma. Alexa Paula V. Gevera, Jaime Benjamin Lizada, Charmaine Grace P. Malabanan, Jose D. Banzon III, Eliez Anne M. Dayanghirang, Jose Manuel Gutierez, Jose Mikael Perez, Gianina Alexea Abian, Joan Ang, Katrina Mae Pernato, Alyssa Marie Capuno, Anne Clare Famacion, Vina Marie Jacob, Katrina Mae Pemato, Krystle Rustia, Johannes Vicente, Minin Sinsona, Abran Tinagan, Joseph Tomas Labugen. (PIA XI/prixdbanzon) davaotoday.com
