ALCALA, Pangasinan — “Dapat lang na bigyan natin ng pagpapahalaga ang ating wika at gamitin ito dahil ito ang wikang malapit sa ating puso"(it’s just proper that we give importance to our language, and use it because it is the language close to our heart).

This was the message of Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero when he graced the Linggo ng Wika Program at the San Juan Elementary School, this town last Friday.

Senator Escudero, who can talk fluently in Filipino, said in his speech that he has been advocating the use of Filipino as the medium of instruction.

“We must invest in our youth and in our future, and we must give our children equal opportunity to develop their minds and bodies to the fullest,” Escudero said.

The young senator also said it is important to reduce drastically the 34 percent drop-out rate in the primary grades.

After the program, the senator from Bicol joined in the painting of five classrooms in the school.

The residents led by Alcala Mayor Manuel Collado expressed their gratitude to Escudero for his help in the painting of the school rooms and for accommodating the school’s request for him to deliver a message for the celebration of the Linggo ng Wika in this town.