Koronadal City, South Cotabato, July 12, 2024– The opening of the Silver T’nalak Festival saw a significant highlight with the inspirational speech of National Anti-Poverty Commission Lead Convenor, Lope Santos. As the guest speaker of the program, Santos underscored the province’s journey towards unity and prosperity, weaving a narrative of hope and progress.
“Ang tadhana ng South Cotabato ay hinabi na ng mga dreamweavers, wala tayong ibang pupuntahan kundi ang malakas na pagkakaisa at kaunlaran dito sa ating lalawigan,” Santos began, emphasizing the vital role of the community’s collective effort in the province’s development.
In his address, Santos celebrated the notable strides made by South Cotabato in poverty reduction.
“I would like to congratulate South Cotabato. From 2021, we had a poverty incidence of 19.8 percent. In the first semester of 2023, PSA reported that poverty incidence in South Cotabato is at 14%. With a poverty reduction of 6 percent,” he highlighted, drawing applause from the audience.
Santos attributed this progress to key factors driving the province’s socio-economic development. “Napakaganda ng indicators—creation ng employment, generation of livelihood, at food production system,” he said, pointing to the substantial efforts in job creation, livelihood generation, and enhancements in the food production system.
The Silver T’nalak Festival, a celebration of South Cotabato’s rich cultural heritage and vibrant community spirit, provided a fitting backdrop for these remarks. The festival’s opening program set a tone of optimism and forward-thinking, aligning with Santos’ message of unity and progress.
As the festival continues, the community of South Cotabato remains inspired by the words of Lope Santos, committed to weaving a brighter future together.
