QC SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL WINS FIRST NXTGEN CONGRESS

Quezon City Science High School emerged as champion among participating schools from the city’s six districts. Outstanding delegates also received individual awards, including Best Privilege Speech, Best Sponsorship Speech and Best Interpellator.

In his message delivered by House Committee on Higher and Technical Education chairperson and TINGOG Party-list Rep. Jude Acidre, the Speaker said the students’ experience in studying issues, defending positions, and considering opposing views was a reward shared by every participant.

“Public service is not about having the loudest voice in the room. It is not about always getting your way. It is about understanding that the privilege of being heard comes with the responsibility to hear others,” Dy said.

“And ultimately, it is about using your voice for Filipinos who may never have the opportunity to enter rooms like this.”

NXTGEN Congress is a youth parliamentary competition that gives students firsthand experience of the legislative process through simulated proceedings and deliberations on actual House bills in mock plenary sessions.

Dy has supported House activities that bring young people closer to government, including NXTGEN Congress and the INSPIRE program, encouraging them to contribute their ideas and consider opportunities in public service.

The Speaker reminded participants that lawmaking requires careful judgment because its consequences reach families and communities.

“Kapag gumagawa kami ng batas sa Kamara, bawat desisyon ay may epekto sa totoong tao,” he said.

“A decision on education affects a teacher standing in front of forty students. A decision on agriculture affects a farmer deciding whether he can afford to plant another season. A decision on health affects a family trying to pay for medicine. A decision on the national budget determines where limited government resources will go—and which needs must come first.”

Dy said debate and parliamentary procedures help lawmakers understand different perspectives and work toward decisions that serve the public.

“The harder task is to listen carefully enough to understand why someone disagrees with you,” he said.

House Secretary General Atty. Cheloy E. Velicaria-Garafil likewise encouraged participants to carry the lessons of leadership and responsible participation beyond the competition.

“True leadership demands both the courage to speak and humility to listen,” she said, adding that “disagreement does not have to mean disrespect, and leadership is about using that voice responsibly and for the right causes, and that through citizen participation, democracy grows.”

“Never forget how you felt when you realized that your voice matters and with that voice comes the profound responsibility to serve,” said the House official.