A pleasant morning to all the dedicated employees of the DTI. 

 

Thank you for being here today and for taking part in our 31st anniversary.

 

Yes, it has been 31 years of fruitful and dedicated service to the Filipino people.

 

Let me give you an ounce of history.

 

The DTI’s predecessor, the Department of Commerce, dates back to 1898. The Department of Commerce is one of the four agencies first established by President Aguinaldo’s administration.

 

The other three agencies include the Departments of Navy, Agriculture and manufacturing.

 

Our department, thus, occupies a privileged spot in Philippine History hence, we should take pride for being part of an institution which served as a pillar of the formative years of the First Philippine Republic. 

 

From a simple organization, the DTI has, through the years, evolved into a big organization and has undergone changes but it has maintained its relevance in Philippine bureaucracy.

 

Modesty aside, I say that we are one of the most important agencies in present times. Ours is the herculean task of balancing the interest of the business sector on the one hand and the welfare of the Filipino consumers on the other. 

 

DTI has been hailed as the “agency of choice” and this we owe to the men and women who make up the DTI, who labor each day with passion bearing in mind that ours is a big responsibility.   

 

Indeed, the strength of an organization is not only the sum of the strength of every individual who comprises it but also of all the relationships among all those individuals. 

 

DTI is strong because we work together as one towards a common objective. 

 

Therefore, I commend all the employees for contributing your talents and skills for the betterment of the country. 

 

Allow me to acknowledge two employees who have been with the DTI for the longest time - Mrs. Rosario Roldan of the Bureau of product Standards (BPS) who has been with the DTI for 43 years and our beloved Undersecretary Zenaida Maglaya who has dedicated 38 years of her life in government service. 

 

They are exemplars of perseverance and good work ethic truly worth emulating. 

 

In commemoration of the DTI’s 31st Anniversary, we have various activities lined up for the week and I encourage Everyone to partake in the festivities.

 

We are also launching today the new DTI Hymn composed by Mr. Oscar Abanes. 

May we find inspiration in the lyrics and may it ignite within us a renewed vigor to make public service even better! 

 

As we sing to the new tune, may we experience greater harmony within the Department as we relate with our colleagues and with one another.

 

As one DTI family, let us continue the good things we have started.

 

Let us not settle to being good, rather let us push ourselves to be the best in everything we do.

 

Do Good, Be Felt and Make a Difference!

 

Thank you very much and happy anniversary to all!