“WITH teamwork, the Philippines can still work its way up the top 20 or even higher,” former President Fidel V. Ramos said in his message during the launching of the book titled RPDEV @ 15: Our Continuing Voyage For Enduring Peace And Sustainable Development.
The book was launched in time for the celebration of the 15 years of the Ramos Peace and Development Foundation Inc. (RPDEV). Written by Melandrew T. Velasco, the new RPDEV commemorative book was launched by Ramos at the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewage System (MWSS) in Quezon City on Friday last week.
Stressing that the Philippines was in the upper half for more than 25 years compared to its present ranking at 116th out of the 190 countries in the UN’s Human Development Index, Ramos said the country can still “soar higher through unity, solidarity and teamwork, as well as caring, sharing and daring for one another.”
“With our numbers, our talents, with our geopolitical position in the middle of the two super powers of the world, the Philippines can work its way to the top,” Ramos said.
“We have shown this through three different shining periods of our history—Spirit of 1896 at Pugad Lawin, the Patriotic Spirit of 1942 at Bataan and the People Power Revolution of 1986,” Ramos said.
Author Velasco said of Ramos, “To our dear former President Fidel Valdez Ramos, thank you sir for your continuing trust, confidence, guidance over the last 17 years to me and for sharing us your inspiring life and for continuing to serve our country through RPDEV, ably showing all of us na ‘Kaya Natin Ito!’ in spite of the many challenges we face daily.”
For his part, MWSS Administrator Reynaldo Velasco, who hosted the event, said, “As I scanned the pages of this new book, I am grateful to RPDEV and MTVi for including MWSS and the water sector in this new book. This a must read legacy book for all past, present, future leaders in both government and private sectors, academe, scholars and students since it speaks volumes on good governance and best practices.”