BATAC, Ilocos Norte – President Gloria Macagapal-Arroyo today called on the youth to be more involved in the “civic life of the nation” by working together to ensure an honest, free and fair elections in May.

In her speech marking the launch of government projects aimed at modernizing agriculture in Region I at the Mariano Marcos State University here this morning, the President said she is determined to pass to the new government “a new Philippines, one that is ready to bring our nation to first world status in the 20 years.”

“But to do that, free and fair elections are important and you the students need to get involved in a positive way in the civic life of the nation that is why I felt that for a regional tour, I must have a visit to a school and I chose MMSU,” the President told some 1,500 students, faculty and staff of the university.

The President called on the youth “to encourage a no guns no violence campaign” to curb the culture of violence existing in society.

“I think it is the young people who can do this campaign so we can try to change the culture of violence,” the President said.

“Young people of this region and all of the youth of the land, we your elders, count on you to be bold not for your selves only but for others, for your family, your friends that generations after you and for our beloved Philippines,” she added.