AFTER graduating from the University of the Philippines School of Urban and Regional Planning (SURP), Alfred Vargas dedicated the milestone to his manager Lolit Solis.
Alfred was the Valedictorian of the Diploma on Urban and Regional Planning (DURP) program of University of the Philippines Diliman’s School of Urban and Regional Planning (SURP). He achieved the highest academic standing whole class of 2025 with the General Weighted Average (GWA) of 1.0288 and received the Dean’s Medallion.
Accepting his diploma and achievement, Alfred was emotional during his valedictory speech in UP Film Center last Saturday as he dedicated it to his manager of 21 years, Manay Lolit, who passed away last Wednesday.
“Nay Lolit, para sa ‘yo ang tagumpay na ito,” Alfred expressed tearfully.
The 5th district councilor also thanked his wife, Yasmine, and their children—Alexandra, Aryana, Cristiano and Aurora, for their support and understanding for the councilor.
In his speech, Councilor Vargas also gave emphasis to the importance of heart and compassion for effective urban planning.
Alfred also called to his fellow graduates and new urban planners, urging them to integrate kindness and compassion into their crucial role in shaping cities.
"This graduation is meaningless if we choose indifference over kindness, if we prioritize ourselves over others, or if we abandon our principles and the fight for what is right," Alfred stated.
"Walang halaga ang ating pagtatapos kung hindi natin isasabuhay ang kabutihan at kagandahan ng loob. Simple pero totoo. Walang halaga ang lahat ng ito kung tayo ay mananatiling bulag at manhid sa mga nangyayaring kasinungalingan, katiwalian, pati na rin ang malawak na kahirapan,” he added in his valedictory address.
"Hindi sapat ang ating mga kamay. Kailangan natin ng puso," Alfred further affirmed. "Hindi sapat ang teknikal na kaalaman o malalim na expertise para maging urban planner—kailangan natin ng puso at malasakit.”
Alfred highlighted that kindness is the root of "malasakit, good governance, paninindigan para sa social justice, paggalang sa pagkapantay-pantay, at pagkilala sa dignidad ng bawat isa.”
He further highlighted the vital role of kindness in addressing pressing urban challenges, "Without kindness, we cannot find sustainable and inclusive solutions to the pressing challenges in urban planning—overpopulation, housing shortages, inadequate infrastructure, environmental degradation, traffic congestion, urban blight, resource scarcity, poor health and safety, substandard education, social inequality, and more.
"Go beyond tokenistic public consultations. Genuinely listen to and empower diverse community voices, especially those often marginalized, in the planning process," Alfred urged his fellow graduates.
Drawing from his own experience as a public servant, Alfred shared how "pakikinig at paninindigan sa tama ay sadyang napakahalaga.” He cited that the establishment of the Quezon City Persons with Disabilities Affairs Office (PDAO) last 2011 spurred by sincerely listening to the PWD community's needs, holding democratic consultations, and practicing people-participation mechanisms with all the stakeholders. It has now produced 25,000 PWD IDs, and given assistive devices to around 4,000 beneficiaries. He also used this same process of holding democratic consultations to pass the National Integrated Cancer Control Act when he was a congressman.
Councilor Alfred concluded his speech by calling to a new generation of urban planners: "Let this graduation be a natural ending to our graduate course and the beginning of a new breed of Filipino urban planners who can lead with kindness, expertise, and character."
"Nothing is impossible and everything is achievable when we spread kindness," Alfred said, emphasizing that planning decisions should reduce disparities and promote social equity, recognizing the inherent dignity of every individual.”
A dedicated public servant, actor, and scholar, Alfred excelled in the rigorous 2-year, 26-unit DURP program, which equips graduates to tackle complex urban and regional challenges. This academic achievement underscores his commitment to lifelong learning, building on his undergrad degree in AB Management Economics from Ateneo de Manila University in 2002 and Master’s degree in Public Administration from UP Diliman’s National College of Public Administration and Governance (NCPAG) in 2021.
Currently, Alfred’s commitment to learning is on going as he pursues a PhD in Urban and Regional Planning at SURP.
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