Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos-Recto called on parents to become more involved in raising their children, stressing that strong family values remain the foundation of a responsible and progressive society.
The actress-politician made the remarks during an interview with members of the entertainment press following her State of the Province Address (SOPA), where she was asked about reports of young people seemingly losing respect for their parents.
According to Santos-Recto, parents should not place the blame solely on schools, communities, or social media when it comes to shaping children’s values.
“Family is our important unit in our society. Kinalakihan ko ang old-school values kung saan ang mga magulang ang gumagawa ng matibay na foundation para sa pamilya.”
She emphasized that parents must take responsibility for the environment they create at home.
“Hindi naman puwedeng laging i-blame ang eskuwelahan, ang community o ang social media. Kasi minsan, kailangan pumunta tayo sa school. Sabi ng nanay, ‘Di puwede kasi naka-scatter.’ O ‘yung tatay, nandoon, nanonood ng e-sabong.”
The governor said lasting change begins within the family, urging parents to be good role models for their children.
“Kung gusto nating magkaroon ng pagbabago sa bansa natin, at the end of the day, ang may pinakamalaking responsibilidad ay ang mga magulang. Wake up, wake up! Kasi ang mga anak natin ang bukas.”
Beyond her message to parents, Santos-Recto’s SOPA highlighted the accomplishments of the Batangas provincial government over the past year through a theatrical presentation that showcased major programs and milestones across various sectors.
Among the key initiatives presented was the expansion of healthcare services under the province’s “Mas Matatag na Kalusugan” program. Two new dialysis centers have been established as part of a broader plan to install 100 dialysis machines across Batangas. Construction has also begun on two district hospitals, while rehabilitation work continues in existing district hospital facilities.
The provincial government reported that its provincial and district hospitals have already delivered more than 411,000 healthcare services, while over 21,000 Batangueños have benefited from free medical, dental, circumcision, and other health missions.
Education also remained a major priority under Santos-Recto’s administration. The province allocated approximately ₱400 million to support the education of more than 76,000 Batangueño scholars, a significant increase from the previous administration’s scholarship program. The Merit-Based Educational Grants Program likewise expanded to 3,062 scholars for School Year 2025–2026.
To address classroom shortages, the provincial government earmarked more than ₱1.37 billion for the construction of new school buildings, while 841 classrooms are currently undergoing repairs. The province has also distributed over 1,200 laptops, Smart TVs, interactive projectors, learning materials, and other teaching equipment to public schools. Santos-Recto said these initiatives reflect the provincial government’s commitment to bringing essential services closer to Batangueños while investing in healthcare, education, and the future of the province.