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| Honorable Ambassador Albert Del Rosario, distinguish guests, my co-officers and members, MACA officers and members, ladies and gentelmen. We welcome everyone to our August 2003 Marinduque International Reunion. This is another milestone in our organization's history and progress because this meeting will highlight significant matters relative to the betterment of our organization, such as the election of new officers and the historic ratification and approvall of the amendments updating our Constitution and By-Laws. I wish to point out also that this occassion would give everyone the opportunity to voice out and be heard relevant to the agenda. Furthermore, in this meeting we will be apprised of our organization achievements, current activities and our upcoming plans and goals, which include our scheduled Medical Mission III commencing soon. Amidst individual differences of opinion and recriminations which sometimes occur in any organization, our commitment to service and unity of spirit and purpose would always prevail over any impediment that would come our way to carry on and become successful in achieving our goals. Unlike other non-profit organizations which centrally focus on social gatherings or functions and for personal glorification of its officers and members, ours has been founded and thriving on the philosophy and spirit to contribute much to the social, cultural and economic well-being of our kababayans particularly in our beloved province of Marinduque. As I have mentioned before, Marinduque is beset with numerous problems. Our government alone cannot be expected tocure all ills of our society. This is why our civic-mindedness and leadership are called upon these days to spearhead our focus to bring a better life to the majority of our people. I hope this momentous occasion will serve as fountain-source of inspiration for all of us to meet our organization's goals. Marinduque's problems include the environment, like the Placer Dome and Marcopper issues; public health like the potability of our people's drinking water. Our leaders have taken necessary steps like testing safetiness of the drinking water and contacting government officials and others to alleviate these problems. Moreover, as Mrs. Christine Todd Whitman of New Jersey (former Secretary of Pres. Bush's Environment Program) once said, environmental issues require long-range solutions and problems cannot be resolved overnight. Meanwhile and simultaneously focusing on the environment problems of our people, we cannot close our eyes on the other problems plaguing our people today. As we are all aware of, the root of these other problems is economic in nature which is none other than poverty. We have a number of well deserving students belonging to poverty stricken families who cannot afford to go to college to pursue higher education. We, officers and members of the Marinduque International, Inc. have great faith on our youth and that given the opportunity and proper encouragement, they will contribute much to the welfare of our Marinduque kababayans, if not to the whole country in general. In sponsoring our Scholarship Programs and Teacher's Program for masters studies in Marinduque, we are setting an example, which will serve as an inspiration to our people, especially to our youth, to dedicate a part of their valuable time to the service of our people and country. It is of common knowledge to us that Marinduque International, Inc. since its inception has always endeavored to help our community in all ways possible. We pray, therefore, that Marinduque International, Inc. with its enthusiastic and optimistic leaders behind it, will continue to grow and become stronger and firmer, not only in number, but also in its desire to be of more service to our people. We hope also, it would be the same Marinduque International, Inc. that has always been known for its beneficent gestures and humanitarian activities through the years. I thank you. Steve Sosa President |
| Steve Sosa MI, Inc. President 2001-2003 |
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MARINDUQUENEWS International Colonia, New Jersey |
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| President's Message Capital Hilton Washington, DC August 9, 2003 |