Municipal mayors and special guests, municipal departmental councilors . With a loud round of applause we welcomed the presence of the presidential couple, His Excellency the President of the Republic, Santiago Peña Palacios, and Mrs. Leticio Campos, First Lady of the Nation. Mrs. Governor of the Department of Concepción, Dora L Mesa, and the Municipal Mayor of Concepción, Celso Cañete, greeting the children. Present are the residents of this new venture, a comprehensive care center for Matías, greetings to colleagues and viewers of the state media. Exactly. We are here in the department of Concepción, in the city of Concepción for the inauguration of a new Caipi. Here is the President of the Republic, also accompanied by various departmental and municipal authorities from the city of Concepción, which is preparing to inaugurate its new CAPI (Comprehensive Care Center for Children and Adolescents), a seed of the future national government project, promoted by the First Lady and carried out by the Ministry of Children and Adolescents to provide comprehensive care to girls and boys accompanied by their families. We are now welcoming the authorities here in front of the CAPI, which will be inaugurated shortly by the President of the Republic, Santiago Peña Palacios. Present are the First Lady of the nation, Mrs. Leticia Campos, as well as various authorities present at this site, and the children who are the inhabitants of this Comprehensive Early Childhood Care Center (CAPI) in the city of Concepción. University education authorities were also present for this presidential event. You may take a seat, please. Opening center today. Today, Caip Concepción. Let us officially welcome with a loud round of applause the presence of the President of the Republic, Santiago Peña Palacios, and his wife, Mrs. Leticia Ocampos. High national, departmental, and municipal authorities, ecclesiastical authorities of the public forces, and parliamentarians. Your Excellency, ladies and gentlemen, Comprehensive Early Childhood Care Center (CAPI) of the city of Concepción. We invite those present to stand and sing the Paraguayan national anthem. [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] to the [music] peoples of life and peace. [music] [music] suas [music] suo [music] [music] our pó [music] [music] su glia [music] [song] [music] [music] i [music] lazal [music] [music] [music] [music] liberators [music] where God [music] You can [music] take a seat, please. Thank you so much. At this inauguration ceremony of the Comprehensive Early Childhood Care Center (CAIPI) in the city of Concepción, the words of the Minister of Children and Adolescents, His Excellency Walter Gutiérrez. [applause] Good morning, dear city of Concepción. It's a great joy to be here. First of all, let us thank God for the opportunity to meet, to be all together, to come together. Mr. President of the Republic, Santiago Peña, First Lady Leticia Ocampos, dear Governor Lis Mesa, the municipal mayor, my dear fellow ministers who are with us today , Claudia, María Teresa, Alicia, Juan Carlos, the other municipal mayors, the Monsignor who is also with us here , Mr. Police Commander, dear former mayor Berni Villalba, the different authorities of the national government of Paraguay, the departmental government, the municipal government, departmental and municipal councilors, and especially the families, but even more especially the children who are with us on this beautiful morning. Today is not just any day. Today we are not here just to cut a ribbon, today we are not here to inaugurate just another project. Today we are here to inaugurate, to launch and put into operation a service of very high impact for the community. A service that will change your life. We are deeply convinced of the needs of many children, many families, and especially many mothers. Today we come to tell you that the government of Paraguay, the office of the first lady, are committed and have the conviction, through a firm political decision, through a clear political decision, to put children and families first. And why is this place so important? He said that it's not just bricks, that it's not just another construction project, but that the importance of a government being able to intervene in those early years of life moves the needle, categorically moves the needle. And we talk about courageous decisions because they are decisions whose main fruits we will see mainly in the long term, but betting on the integral development of children in the first years of life, the first 8 years of life, in the first 1000 days of life, but also from Conception, because the Seed of the Future early childhood program embraces the family and works with the family and with the children from minute one. And when is minute one? Minute one is not when the child is born. Minute one is when the child is conceived in the mother's womb, because life is life from conception. And we as a government defend life from the first minute, from conception. But it's not just about defense for defense's sake. The defense must bring with it the guarantee that that mother, that woman, that child in the mother's womb can already access all the benefits, coordinating with the Ministry of Health so that the mother can already receive the four prenatal check-ups, the nutritional support so that they can do it safely in a hospital, so that we can access the child's identity in a timely manner so that we can continue with the trajectory of that child's vaccination schedule. In other words, we have to accompany him and embrace the family, the woman, the child, the father in a holistic way. So, that's what I was mentioning, that it moves the needle and makes a difference. In those first 1000 days of life, something fantastic happens: when we intervene through stimulation, when we intervene through proper nutrition, a child can have many more opportunities. The brain plasticity we have in those first 1000 days of life must be an active asset of the Republic of Paraguay. We cannot overlook that crucial life cycle in human beings that is the first 1000 days of life. And so what we did, under the president's leadership, was, as a first step, to reach an agreement among many institutions, to partner with the regional governments, to partner with the municipalities, and to bring together what you are seeing here today: the national program for comprehensive early childhood care, Seeds of the Future, with a comprehensive, not fragmented, response. The president gave us the directive—that's the word—he instructed us that the work we do should be teamwork, coordinated work, because when we arrived, we had a much larger capacity to work in this place, providing stimulation, care, and support, expanding the daycare and care program. We will be working to guarantee children's access to timely identity registration at a civil registry office, where we will be training mothers and families. Mothers will be able to come and contribute to the economic cycle, because they will be able to leave their sons and daughters here well cared for and well protected. and go out to work with complete peace of mind. Therefore, the approach has to be comprehensive. And when we talk about addressing this in a comprehensive way, let's not just think about this infrastructure that we are seeing today, let's also think about other services that we have carried out such as the mobile library. Today, Concepción has one of the 18 mobile libraries that the Paraguayan government makes available to the early childhood program. And why mobile libraries? The mobile libraries are one for each department and one for the capital, precisely to reach and bring state services to those more remote communities, indigenous communities, rural communities, districts where we don't have the kips, and to bring the different services, the reading day and the game. How important the game is. One says the game, right? Children learn through play in their early years. There is no better way for a child to learn than through play and, obviously, reading, so that they can later become much more capable children in schools. So, Mr. President, I would like to thank all my colleagues who contribute their bit, from the Ministry of Public Works, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Women, the Ministry of Education, the Civil Registry, and the Ministry of Labor. I want to thank and acknowledge the great commitment we have in each and every one of them. But I think I want to express my gratitude most especially today to the local authorities. Without them we can do nothing. Without them we can do nothing. We have our beloved Governor Lis Mesa, who is a great coordinator in the different programs and services, especially in this one. When you recall, Governor, about a year ago we came to present what the impact of the program would be throughout the department, you weren't receiving it, and today we are very happy to have this, and not only in that role of governor and president, but also as a construction inspector, she sent us photos and videos of the Kaip every other day, so the involvement of the authorities is extremely important. Today we remember two friends who can't be here , but who followed it closely . I must highlight Congressman Arturo Urbieta, who is also very attentive to what is happening in Orqueta; the second CAIP in Concepción is already starting up in Orqueta, and also Congresswoman Virina Villanueva, but it is only right to acknowledge a person who put a lot of effort into making what we are inaugurating today possible. And there I want to highlight a great friend, a great citizen that this city of Concepción has. I have to say that I was tortured by this man when we announced that we were going to build the first 20 caipis. And it's truly to your credit , my dear Berny Villalva, for standing up , please, because you were one of the first mayors who made himself available. He already left with the title in hand. Here is the land and I want, Minister, for Concepción to be among the first 20 CAPs. So, congratulations on your efforts, dear Berni, and to each of the authorities who collaborated to make this possible today. And with great pride we present this, with great pride we present this program, this work because the president and we are guided a lot by what he always mentions, the president says himself and also instructs us. We didn't come here to manage what already exists, we came here to do something different. We came here to do something different. And this public policy is a social legacy that will remain and that will mark, I am deeply convinced, many generations, and with great pride we can say today that public is better than private. In first-world countries, public is better than private. And not even in the country's capital will we find a comprehensive private service like the one we are enabling today in Asunción, but also mainly in the 17 departments of the country. And to thank you not only as a minister, but as a Paraguayan, as someone who has been working for a long time in this area, President Santiago Peña, First Lady Leticia Campos, for that decision not to hesitate for a second to invest in this, for taking children, for putting them on the political agenda, for putting them on the public agenda, for making that courageous decision to invest, so that investment in children, access to all the rights of children and their families, transcends speeches and really becomes something we can see, that we can feel, that we can touch. President Peña is an economist, and often, perhaps we think—myself included—that economists will think about the big numbers, about macroeconomics, about microeconomics too, about the economic stability of the currency, but the president has a very special ingredient. the great contribution, support and vision to social issues. He is an economist who advocates for social policies for economic growth and development. So, Mr. President, I want to thank you and congratulate you on this decision, but this decision is truly supported, and since we're talking about supporting, it's backed by the drive of a person who has preparation, vocation, and vision. But above all else, my dear, our First Lady Leticia, is just another co-worker, since we spoke from minute one, from the very first minute of thinking about and designing this. So, First Lady, without your drive, and the President knows this very well, it wouldn't have been possible to thank you personally on behalf of the entire team. Today I also want to thank the team at the Ministry of Children. They never complained to me, but I always sometimes thank everyone and I don't explicitly mention them. I want to thank the great team we have at Mina, a great family that also does the work with great passion. So, congratulations to the city of Concepción, to the department of Concepción, and to each and every one of you. What the Paraguayan government is leaving today , the First Lady's office here, is not for President Santiago Peña, for First Lady Leticio Campos, for any of the ministers, for the governor, for the mayors, but this is for you, mothers, fathers, family and especially for each of these children. Congratulations, Concepción, and enjoy your Caipi! [applause] These were the words of the Minister of Children and Adolescents, Walter Gutiérrez. You may take a seat, please. A very important week in the Republic of Paraguay. National Breastfeeding Week is commemorated from the 9th to the 14th . Our most precious treasures are on one side of the house, our children. Listening to the family's testimonies is the best part, from the grandmother, from dad and mom. We invite those present to look at the monitors to listen to the following testimonies. [music] I am not going to miss this opportunity to leave a legacy in Paraguay. [music] [music] This grew, it grew with Leti, it grew with Walter once again thanks to the Paraguayan government, which has shown that it is on the public agenda. The government of President Santiago Peña, accompanied by First Lady Leticia Campos, does not forget what is most important to us as a nation, which is our children. [music] My name is María Porfiria Peraltapa, [music] I am 67 years old and they are staying with me uh a [music] Valentina, Aelia Migael and Luis. It's really nice because at the same time it will give her moms more time to relax because she works very worried because sometimes I have to go to some sessions for my consultations. And it's hard to find someone to leave him with because we have nowhere to leave the child, and hiring a nanny is expensive, isn't it? It helps with the economy, it helps with everything. Aid. [music] city. [music] I have two children. The girl is four and the boy is three. I am now pregnant. I am 6 months pregnant. We accompany the mother from the moment of [music] pregnancy, coordinating actions with other institutions so that they can complete their check-ups and receive the necessary care. I know they'll be fine there, they won't be out on the street, it's totally safe. I would really like to participate in the courses that are available for mothers. I'm going to, what do you say? can participate in any activity that is done. During Breastfeeding Week, we want to highlight the importance of having a lactation room within the [location/school/etc.], and I really like that breastfeeding room. The mother will have privacy with her baby there, and there will be total privacy. [music] And these children today are the seed of the future, they are the giants who will make Paraguay shine again at the top, not only in our region, but in the world. [music] [applause] And at this inauguration of the Comprehensive Early Childhood Care Center CAPI in the city of Concepción, the words of the President of the Republic of Paraguay, Santiago Peña Palacios. Good morning, children. Very good, very good. Good morning to the dads, the moms, the grandparents, all the neighbors of the city of Concepción, and all the friends of the department of Concepción. Happy, happy to be back. Not too long ago, we were here on May 20th, we were seeing how the works were progressing, we were touring and for me it is a great satisfaction every time I come to the department of Concepción to see how this seed begins to germinate in a profoundly rich land. Unfortunately, we hadn't given the department of Concepción the opportunity to shine, to grow with all that potential. I'm not going to lie to you, I made the Department of Concepción one of my national priorities. All departments are important, all of them. But I'm not going to lie to you, I don't see that Concepción, the Concepción department, is becoming a symbol of change in Paraguay. And we often need those examples. We need to see something that people had lost, hope, and give them back hope, because this then has a multiplier effect. Today, I increasingly receive messages saying, "I want for my San Pedro what's happening in Concepción. I want for my AMBA what's happening there. They see the change in Concepción, they see in Concepción that there's hope for a better future, and that's what it's all about: effort, sacrifice, but knowing that if we are capable of committing ourselves, of working, of sacrificing, the future will be better. My dear Governor Lis, great colleague, I thank you for everything you are doing for this department, for being a colleague, because I couldn't do this without your support. A very special message: the representatives from this department are surely watching us through the media . I'm referring to Representative Virina Villanueva, a great friend, a great colleague, and Representative Arturo Urbieta, a gladiator, a person, a true commitment. Applause for both of them. There is n't a session in the Chamber of Deputies every week where Arturo Urbieta isn't talking about what's happening in the department of Concepción. There is n't A week goes by without him speaking with facts, not empty rhetoric, but concrete actions regarding the changes being implemented. And of course, I couldn't be doing this here today if I didn't have a friend, a colleague in the municipality, I'm referring to Berni Villalba. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you, dear brother, because many of us have walked through the city of Concepción back in what seems like a distant 2017, when we went through the neighborhoods, when we went to each of the places where we asked for the support of the people of Concepción, the city of Concepción, and at that time it seemed that it wasn't yet our moment. That is the only perfect moment for Monsignor Ramos. I take this opportunity to thank you, Monsignor, because your arrival in the department of Concepción is truly a blessing for this department. This department that has so much history. Villarreal de Concepción, more than 250 years since its founding. Now, in a few days, we will be celebrating the day of Our Lady of the Assumption in homage to our saint. Patron saint of our capital, and we will be erecting a beautiful monument on the waterfront. So I really want to take this opportunity to thank the Catholic Church for its support . On Friday, I will be sharing with all the bishops at the Episcopal Conference, in that very important dialogue to support those most in need and in defense of economists. Walter mentioned economists, and it would seem that economists are those cold, heartless men. Where is my friend Clarito? There he is, Clarito, another little giant. A round of applause for Clarito, whose birthday it is today. Stand up a bit, Clarito. Stand up on your chair so they can see you, my friend. Go for it, my friend. A giant, a giant from the department of Concepción, a giant of academia. So, my affection to the economics students who are often misunderstood because people think that economists only study numbers, cold numbers, but in reality, economics is a social science. It is a social science. It studies how human beings can make the best decisions to progress, to progress personally, to progress in their community, within their families, so that a nation can progress. Sometimes economists don't do justice to that social science and focus too much on the numbers. But behind every number, there's a child, a mother, and behind every child, a grandmother caring for her grandchildren. That's the reality. And that's the reality I embraced through politics, through service, by going out and asking every resident of Concepción to believe in this idea, to be convinced that Paraguayans can be better off. It's not an easy path; it won't be handed to us. We have to work, we have to strive, we have to sacrifice. But those of us who have the responsibility to create the conditions must create those conditions. And what we're inaugurating today is creating those conditions. This will transform the Department of Concepción, and it might seem like a very abstract concept. It might seem like these are simply the bricks produced in the brickyard, the bricklayers, a beautiful structure. But behind this, there's an idea. And what is it? The idea? The idea is that if we adhere to a philosophy—the philosophy that a politician coined some time ago , I'm referring to Natalicio González, when he spoke of a state serving free men— this Kaipi is a state at the service of free men. Because the children who will come here from four months old, when the legal breastfeeding period ends so that mothers can be solely with their children and, when they have to return to work, have the peace of mind and security that their child will be well cared for, well-fed, and well-stimulated. The children who come to this comprehensive care center—that's why it's called a comprehensive early childhood care center—receive that comprehensive care that will allow them, when they enter the school system, like these children here , to arrive with different abilities, to arrive with different cognitive development . And that's not made up; it's scientifically proven, it 's been studied. We're not here to invent. Nothing. And this is the seed, that's why it's called Seeds of the Future. This is the seed we dreamed of, and we dreamed of this during the election campaign when we were out campaigning five years ago. And you know who we mostly met at the events? We met women. Why women? Because it was the post- pandemic era, and women suffered the most from the pandemic. Women lost the most jobs. Our mothers bore the brunt of the lockdown. And that's where we started developing the idea for the daycare. But when we came into government, we couldn't just offer daycare; it had to be something more. And that's where credit goes to the First Lady, who always clarifies that her work is volunteering, so a round of applause for her because she doesn't get paid for her work, but she said, "I want to focus on the children." And there, with my dear Walter, a friend of many years at the head of the Ministry of Children and Adolescents, we had the dream of creating this program. But, you know What? We didn't have the resources. When we arrived in August 2023, just a few days shy of our third anniversary, we didn't have what we found. We inherited a mountain of debt, and while we were trying to get things in order , we started dreaming about what we could do in each of the departments. We can't just think that the children of Asunción or the metropolitan area can have opportunities, right? The children of Concepción deserve the same opportunities as the children of Asunción. And so we carried out negotiations with Brazil regarding the Itaipu tariff, defending— defending whom? We were defending these children, these children who vote for us, these children who don't have the opportunity to say to the authorities, "Please, fight for us," but we fought for them. And that's how, in May 2024, we finalized a negotiation that allowed us to secure the resources to invest in Paraguay's future . And that's where we began designing the Seed of the Future program. Today we are inaugurating the seventh and We have another 43 under construction in Orquetas. The work has already begun. We were there last time in Orqueta. There are our friends from Orqueta here. There it is. Raise your hand. We were there looking at a health park. You have to make sure that Representative Urieta goes for walks in that health park because he fought hard for Orqueta to have its park, so that people can go for walks there. You have to make sure that he walks there regularly, and I want to see him looking slim. I always ask Arturo to take care of himself. Concepción needs people from Concepción like Arturo who fight for their department. The representative is thin, but she fights too. I don't want to take anything away from her. She takes good care of herself. Representative Villanueva is quite slim. But Orqueta is also experiencing a significant change with the projects we are carrying out and this CAIP (Early Childhood Care Center). And I hope that the residents of Concepción will join us in a few months when we are there, because we are starting to see how this seed begins to grow and begins to to germinate. And believe me, for many, because there are many who are fanatics of pessimism, fanatics of saying that everything is wrong. And I tell you, you can stay there, I'm going to keep working. Because while you are simply criticizing and questioning, this seed is growing, and this seed is growing mainly downwards with a strong root because these children who, sadly, won't be able to vote on October 4th, these children won't be able to vote in December 2027. They will vote for us in April 2020. For them, it will still be 14 years before they reach the age of majority. 14 years. In 14 years, they will really be able to make decisions, but believe me, these children will be citizens who will have a different vision of their community, who will have a different upbringing, who will be even more demanding of the authorities they elect and will hold them accountable. And if they know how to choose their authorities, I can assure you that Concepción will be a better city, that the department will be a better department, that this that I Today I'm dreaming, many tell me, "You're a dreamer." Yes, I am a dreamer. But I assure you that in a very short time, Concepción will be one of the most developed departments in Paraguay. And what does greater development imply? Development means that we have citizens who are healthy, who, if due to circumstances beyond their control they become ill, will find a hospital, a hospital we are building, the great hospital in the north; who will go to a school where social status doesn't matter, everyone eats the same food. The school feeding program, the Zero Hunger program in schools, is one of the biggest changes in the history of Paraguay, because we all go to the same school, we all hear from the same teacher, but if I didn't eat well because my mother and father don't have the economic means, in the same classroom, sitting next to my classmate, the one who ate better will learn more than me. But the school feeding program changes that. Everyone has breakfast the same way, everyone has lunch the same way, everyone They all have the same snack , they all have the same teacher. That means they all have the same opportunities. And that's going to change the city of Concepción, that's going to change the department of Concepción. That, believe me, my dear friends, is going to change Paraguay. Of course, generating employment, decent, quality employment, that allows citizens to have money in their pockets, to have a dignified, prosperous life, to be able to give their families a plate of food, to have a decent roof over their heads. That is the prosperous Paraguay that we are building. Some are seeing it, others aren't seeing it yet, but believe me, I am determined to keep working, fighting until the last day of my term, August 15, 2028. But all of you will be responsible for making sure this lasts . The residents of Concepción have to make sure that this center is always open, that it never closes its doors, that the Zero Hunger program in schools never ends, because those are the great social achievements. And yes, I learned this thanks to the academic training that I had to, because studying economics, a social science, taught me that there are no shortcuts, no stroke of luck in life, no, there is only honest, determined work with perseverance. Perseverance when many tell you, "It can't be done," when someone tells you, "You won't be able to." And I tell them, "Sit over there to the side and watch, I'm going to show you how it's done." Dear people of Concepción, I give you all a hug, and I embrace each and every one of you. I am happy to see the changes taking place in the department, but I want to tell you that I am completely dissatisfied. I will continue coming to the city, I will continue coming to the department, and with each project we inaugurate, we will be thinking about the next project we will undertake to continue bringing progress to this beautiful city and this beautiful department. Thank you very much. Much happiness, Pato. These were the words of the President of the Republic, Santiago Peña Palacios, at this inauguration ceremony of the Comprehensive Early Childhood Care Center (CAPI) in the city of Concepción. Concepción. We are going to invite the Governor of the Department of Concepción, Dr. Luis Mesa, to express with these gifts the gratitude of the entire people of Concepción. To the First Lady of the Nation, Mrs. Leticia Campos, we extend our gratitude and appreciation for her efforts. This is to be acknowledged with a round of applause, ladies and gentlemen. [applause] Inauguration of the Comprehensive Early Childhood Care Center (CAI), City of Concepción. Please be seated. The blessing of these facilities will now be given by Monsignor Cristino Ramos González. [ message at 8 o'clock here in the Department of Concepción, here in the city of Concepción, with the inauguration of this new CAI. At this moment, the blessing will take place. We are going to address the Almighty. I invite you to stand. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Christ our Lord and Shepherd be with you all. Today we give thanks to God and ask Him to bless this comprehensive center with His fatherly love.] And grant His protection to all who enter this center each day, to study, to be cared for, to learn, and also to teach on behalf of the adults. Since God's providence has brought us together to form an educational community, we will ask Him to bless our daily lives so that respect, mutual appreciation, truth, and charity may always prevail among us. May Jesus, the teacher of life, make us all better disciples of Him. The Lord be with you. Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew. When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, sat down, and his disciples came to him. Then he began to teach them, saying, “You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown away and trampled on by men. You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden, and no one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. The Word of the Lord. They can sit down for a while. I really appreciate it when a blessing is requested before something is inaugurated. It is recognizing the God of life, and one can do a work if one has life. And to bless, the word of God illuminates us. And Jesus speaks of one of two such simple comparisons of being the sad one. Without yuk, the food isn't tasty and we don't need the light at night. And in Jesus' time there was no electricity, so for light they used some kind of liquid or animal fat. And so far we have the candle that was previously also made from animal fat. It's been like that for a while, people used to say, and the candle easily goes out if there's wind. Therefore, the first challenge for all authority is to be the light. The President of the Republic, all national and departmental authorities, and also the ecclesiastical authorities, have a great challenge: to be the light. And this center is called the comprehensive care center. What does the word "integra" mean? It's not just about looking at children's physical growth; there's another part of the human being that needs attention. Human beings are spiritual beings. Why do adults commit suicide? Because perhaps that spiritual side was neglected, and in difficult times due to economic, relationship, or other problems, he no longer sees a way out. and it self-eliminates. How sad. Therefore, these children and those who will come here must receive an education in human and Christian values ​​to ensure that this part of their care is comprehensive. Because we are all Christians, even though we belong to different church denominations. In Paraguay, almost 90% of us are Christians. And I studied the Bible so the president knows I was in Germany for 3 years and 5 months and in Rome for 3 years. And to study the Bible, one must study the original languages ​​of the Old Testament (Hebrew) and the New Testament ( Greek). And I want to refer to this language to tell you that Jesus says he sat on a mountain. The expression "he sat down" indicates that he was a teacher because teachers taught sitting down. That is why bishops used to preach from their chairs while seated. Now, to use the microphone, we preach from Lambón and in San Marcos, which is the oldest and shortest gospel, barely 16 chapters, Jesus, when he spoke for the first time, according to this oldest evangelist, said four things. The time has come. The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe in the gospel. Four things. The third thing he said was translated, " Repent." It was translated incorrectly because in Greek it says metanoyete, the imperative. Grammarians will understand that in each language we have indicative, imperative, and then subjunctive. And the imperative means command. Meta means beyond, that's where metaphysics comes from. Nus means mind. What Jesus said is not "repent." He said, change your mindset. Meta nus la mente tienes que llevar más allá. Change your mindset. Mr. President, and those present, and the authorities, or rather future municipal authorities, who are running for office. If we in Paraguay don't change our mindset, we won't improve. What is our mindset regarding politics? What kind of mindset do we have when we pretend to be an elected authority? We have a mindset to serve, to serve ourselves, or to enrich ourselves a little quickly. If we don't change our mindset, it will be difficult. I was ordained 24 years ago, which will be next month, and I had been a priest for two years back in 2004. There was a man who was building houses for the state—it used to be called CONVI, I think, but now I believe it has a different name, like Navidad or something—and I traveled with him by bus. Since things are often entrusted to us in different countries, he told me, "Instead of using nine bags of cement, we use three, and the foreman sells six. I'm just a simple bricklayer." So, to do works and what kind of works and how they are done, under what conditions, mindset. that it is a work that will not be damaged by any storm because it has good cement and because all the materials that were programmed according to the technicians were used and accompanied by the authorities. I heard that it was said that the governor, mayor, councilors, ministry of childhood and adolescence, and mentality were accompanied. I speak foreign languages, but I also speak Guarani perfectly. Benedictine cloistered monastery in German. And when he gave communion, all the people, including girls of 14, 13 years old, came to receive communion like that. Everyone had calloused hands and Cayopala and little, they were farmers and I go out to give them a happy Sunday. It is my custom to greet people as they leave the church, and then they leave and I see them getting into Audi, Mercedes-Benz, or BMW cars. Such terrible hypocalops grew up with a different mentality. That's why attention to children should be given not only to their nutrition and physical health, but also to their mental well-being. And when we say seeds of the future, they really have to be the seeds because it asks for the mentality not to be inflated, so it will become much more. So, by changing one's mindset, one will be a light. I invite you, Mr. President, in this time that you have left in your presidency, to think about one word: peace. and peace in your heart, and I congratulate you. When you inaugurate a project, then, and that you continue working to have water. I was struck when I interviewed a 50-year-old priest and he said, "Looking back on my 50 years, I would have done many things better." And I felt it. And then work so that when the day comes to leave a post, one can say, "I have peace." If we have peace, what joy and what a blessing it will be to know that your time is coming and to have peace. And so the Germans, it seems, seeking that, named the cemetery Frihof, Peace Courtyard, but may that peace already be in our hearts, and caring for children, of course, will give us peace. May God bless us. We stand . Let us respond. Lord, give us your light, your love, and your peace. Lord, give us your light, your love, and your peace. Lord, our God, who loves us so much that you have willed that we be called and be your children, allow knowledge to help us live our civic and Christian vocation to the full. Let us pray. Lord, give us your light, your love, and your peace. You who showed us how Jesus grew in wisdom, stature, and grace, help us so that as our knowledge increases, our love for him may also increase. Let us pray. Lord, give us your Light, your love, and your peace. Lord, who willed that we all grow with the help of others, grant that all the children who will be here , as well as the adults who will work educating and training them, may do so with enthusiasm and love. Let us pray. Lord, give us your light, your love, and your peace. You who are the source of all good, reward for their efforts those who made it possible for this institution to be inaugurated today . Let us pray. Lord, give us your light, your love, and your peace. Let us pray the Our Father together and then bless the building. Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread . And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. I will now say the prayer of blessing. I ask the master of ceremonies, perhaps he could help me with the microphone. Where is the wireless one? I need to Turn around so I can bless another. God, Lord, Almighty God, source of wisdom, who instructs all who open themselves to your spirit, hear our prayers and bless this institution we inaugurate today, dedicated to the human formation of children. May this be a place where disciples and teachers, instructed with words of truth, grow holistically and, increasing their faith, strive to unite themselves wholeheartedly to Christ, the only teacher who lives and reigns forever and ever . Amen. The Lord be with you. May the blessing of Almighty God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, descend upon you. And congratulations to Concepción for the blessing of Monsignor González, Bishop of the Diocese of Concepción. We invite the children, please, first approach the main entrance of this Early Childhood Care Center (CAIP) and Semilla del Futuro (Seed of the Future). We invite the residents of this beautiful Semilla del Futuro Comprehensive Care Center to join the presidential couple in cutting the ribbon and officially opening this beautiful center. This headquarters of the Comprehensive Early Childhood Care Center of Concepción, Seeds of the Future, is now open. The President of the Republic, the First Lady, and national, departmental, and municipal authorities take the colored ribbons to symbolically untie and open this space for the children of the Concepción department. Everyone with the ribbon to officially open it. Are you ready? One, two, three. Very good. Let's hear some applause, ladies and gentlemen. Thus, the official room of this Comprehensive Early Childhood Care Center of Concepción, Seeds of the Future, is now open. The President of the Republic enters to unveil the plaque that commemorates this moment and this very important date [laughter] for the children of the Concepción department, entering with the authorities accompanying his administration today, on this day of government for the first department of the Republic, to unveil the plaque that commemorates this very important date for the departmental capital. Inauguration day of the early childhood care center in the city of Concepción. Call it To Berny. I don't know what the municipal fund will be for the official plaque that the mayor is bringing in for the unveiling of this plaque at this center inaugurated here in the city of Concepción, Concepción Department. Moments from the plaque inauguration. We are now inside the comprehensive care center here in Concepción, Concepción Department, with the presence of the President of the Republic. The President is now entering one of the rooms of the "little seed" (little seed) center , accompanied by the Minister of Children and Adolescents, Walter Gutiérrez. We saw the Minister of Public Works, the engineer, in one of the first rooms, which is called "one," where the children are already of different age ranges . These rooms were the first, the same infrastructure as the previous centers of comprehensive care that have already been delivered throughout the country at the departmental level, and this one that arrives here in the department a few months to a year later with the presence of the President of the Republic. We are accompanying the President on this tour of the facilities of this center, a comprehensive care center for the Early childhood, this space designed especially to accompany our children during one of the most important stages of their lives. We are also observing, Mr. President, and precisely to speak of early childhood is to speak of the future. Every child who today receives food, attention, care, stimulation, and a safe space is a child who has better opportunities to develop fully. The President of the Republic also emphasized this in his address, as did the Minister of Children and Adolescents, Walter Gutiérrez, who especially highlighted this space and these opportunities for children and adolescents. As we observe this site, this first space designated as "Semillita Uno" (Little Seed One), the First Lady of the Nation is also entering. The First Lady is entering at this moment, accompanied by the President of the Republic. We see Lis Mesa, the Governor of the Department of Concepción, in this spacious area, in this space where we also notice a play area, because stimulation and learning are important at this stage of life. This area, in this place, in this site where the Minister is... In addition to the women's section, there are authorities, the First Lady of the nation, and a storage area. We also see a restroom area, books, reading materials, and stimulation activities. This obviously represents an important opening for this age group, for this space, starting from this early age. And it's not just about this space where teachers or caregivers stimulate the children , but the Kaipi also represents a different approach to public policy, not only addressing children's needs but also supporting them from their earliest months, which is important. The Minister of Children and Adolescents, Walter Gutiérrez, is also here. Let's hear from Walter Gutiérrez while we also see images from our colleague Luis Saucedo. Inside one of the rooms, Minister of Children and Adolescents Walter Gutiérrez is speaking, inaugurating the first Kaipi in the department of Concepción, here in the city of Concepción. We are truly happy to be reaching the territory, reaching all 17 departments. Here, we also received great support from the local authorities, including former mayor Berny Villalva, who was with us. I believe it was one of the first plots of land we acquired, and I should mention that the land is free, right? Generally, the land we acquire from the municipalities is a counterpart contribution. This is the seventh plot; in about 15 days we'll have the eighth. We'll see if we can get it done before the World Rally Championship or after, since that's already been announced. The next one will be in the department of San Pedro, in the city of Santaní. So, we're traveling all over the country and greatly appreciating this social policy, which not only benefits young children but also the entire family. These are tangible results, and the Minister has already been inaugurating them. How are things going now? That's a very good question, Matí. The inaugurations are truly wonderful, aren't they? We come, we have a lovely time, a good time, but now we also have to travel... Everything we 've been inaugurating is fantastic. The results are fast, immediate. A few days ago, we were in Villa Aleyes with an Argentinian delegation who came to learn about the early childhood development program in Paraguay because it's already transcending borders. People want to know, they want to learn about it; it's an innovative system. We took the opportunity to tour the Villa Aleyes Early Childhood Development Center (CPI), which was the first in the Paraguayan Chaco region. We had the fantastic coincidence of arriving at the delivery of courses certified by the National Service for Professional Training (SNPP) there in the multipurpose room that each KAIIP has. I understand the courses covered gastronomy, pastry, and other topics. They were being given to 30 mothers from Villa Aleyes, and some of them told us they were already starting their own businesses. So, these are also tools that are given to families, and well, the results are fast. The results are fast, and we are happy and pleased to be able to bring this to the whole country. These are the words of the Minister of Children and Adolescents, Walter Gutiérrez. And well, the results are already palpable in terms of the positive numerical aspect, as the minister mentioned. After leaving the Seed One space, we see Seed Two, where the President of the Republic will enter. People from the Ministry of Public Works are also present . Well, one of the places where, aside from the issue of care, which is important, is also taking advantage of this space, this place where boys and girls come to have some fun, to spend time. We see another room, Seed Three, in this comprehensive care center, which in some ways is a space that marks, or goes directly to, a déjà vu, based on what we've already observed in the previous comprehensive care centers. Of course, the structure also becomes one of the main places where parents and families bring their children. This is the patio area, the exterior part of the place, and then there are the wings: Seed One, Seed Two, and then we have Seed Three, which is another sector, and the division also in terms of the Ages. We see the multipurpose room on the left side, where the minister mentioned the possibilities offered by the National Service for Professional Promotion (SNPP), the playroom, and the SNPP itself, which provides these services to help in some way with the growth of the parents who bring their children here to the Comprehensive Care Center in the department of Concepción, here in the city of Concepción. This represents an important incentive for the parents and caregivers who are here, representing the thousands or hundreds of families who have the opportunity to come to this place. Talking about early childhood is talking about the future. Every child who receives attention, food, care, stimulation, and a safe space today is a child who has better opportunities to develop fully. This CAPI (Comprehensive Care Center) also represents a different perspective from public policy, not only addressing the needs of children but also seeking support from the first months of life, providing them with the necessary conditions. To grow, learn, and develop. One of the important sectors that make up KAPI is health. The Minister of Health, Dr. María Teresa Bará, is speaking, and in one of the sectors, we'll also highlight the Minister's words about promoting a much more preventative approach to health, right? In fact, from a public health perspective, we are working on a prevention policy; that is, it's always better to prevent than to cure. And we mustn't forget that one of the first investments we made as the Paraguayan government was the acquisition of mammography machines, where we adopted a kind of slogan: "Let's make prevention a tradition." Paraguayans need to learn that they should consult a doctor not only when they feel sick, but also for their regular checkups. So, today we've increased access for women to mammograms, because with mammograms, we detect breast cancer early. We've also achieved the registration of chronic non- communicable diseases. Practically speaking... At the beginning of this administration, we only had seven departments where we had a system for registering diseases, specifically hypertension and diabetes. And today, in all 18 departments, all personnel with chronic diseases are registered, and above all, more than 22,220 people are registered. We work as a network because we're not only talking about the construction of the large northern hospital here in Concepción, but we've also announced the construction of 19 new family health units. That is, working at the first level of care, precisely what you were saying about working on primary prevention. The family health units are designed and built to work within the primary health care strategy . What is primary health care? It's about preventing people from getting sick. The healthier the community that serves a family health unit, the better the family health units work. That's why we work with indicators so that the team in the family health units ensures the population is vaccinated, that children have their growth monitored, and Development, so that women can practice family planning, so that they can get their Pap smear. These are all strategic efforts undertaken by the family health unit, and what we are working on today as the government of Paraguay is ensuring that the network functions effectively. And here I would also like to make a very important point. A little over a year ago, we opened our oncology day center, and this is truly part of the government's decentralization policy. Last year, more than 2,500 people used the oncology service for chemotherapy, consultations, and follow-up appointments. Today, in August, and in July we closed with more than 3,000 people and 3,000 consultations, this clearly demonstrates the need to continue expanding and decentralizing oncology care, which I believe is extremely important. Today in Concepción, we also strengthened the equipment with contrast-enhanced CT scans. You know that cancer patients must have their CT scans, and today they can do so here in the department of Concepción. These are strategies, these are measures that we, as the government of Paraguay, are implementing. We are implementing. We know it's not enough, we know there's still much to be done, but we are also working on improving digital hospitals. These are historical shortcomings we've always had in public health, and today, thanks to the political decision of the President of the Republic, Santiago Peña, we are working to improve them. There's still work to be done , yes, there's still a lot to be done. There's probably a lot to be done, and probably in 2028 there will still be many pending tasks within the Paraguayan public health system. Minister, how is it progressing? These are the words of the Minister of Public Health and Social Welfare, María Teresa Bará, Dr. María Teresa Barán, speaking about many points related to health. There's also one of the areas here in the multipurpose room. The President visited the playroom; he's in the playroom right now, accompanied by the Minister of Children. Now the President is entering the playroom area. The First Lady of the Nation is also here. The President is currently continuing his tour of the facilities. He was in the playroom. At this moment, these centers are going to the multipurpose room. The President of the Republic is going to enter the multipurpose room right now, where the National Service for Professional Promotion, the SNPP, is also located. They have to come here to learn. That's why the work here is so important, so that there can be a training competition for care. So I want to tell you about the events here last week, where the Minister is, who will help me. Minister , last week we were in Villa Aer and there was a baking and pastry course for mothers, and 25 mothers, I think, Minister, right? 25 mothers graduated as pastry chefs and bakers. This space is for that, so that mothers can train, give talks, I don't know what else, Minister. This space, this is a space really for that, even we already have some places where they are asking to get married here [laughs]. There are no more places, and if they want to get married here, they can come and get married without Problem. In the incarnation there were already 100 weddings. Ofel was your name. Maria for you in the video in the and she will be able to take the course too, she is my daughter who is. Ah. She is my daughter who was the Well, I congratulate you. You can tell her what they learned in the workshop and the services also mentioned here in the multipurpose room where the Minister of Children mentioned that 100 votes have already been given. Civil, obviously, enabled in one of the rooms here in the CRO Comprehensive Early Childhood Care Center . We are waiting for the president to continue surely to other sectors when he already visited the first seedling , number two, number three, he went to the playroom. He traveled a route from the playroom to the president's room. Many times problems speak. Because it was for the first time in my 67 years near the president. Thank you very much. Thank you very much, Mr. President, of the multipurpose room, that they put there, that they put there, you are already receiving everything. The President of the Republic speaks at the main entrance, move us there, sir. We'll be waiting for the President of the Republic here, in this area, for the discussion. The topics will be related to the CAPI, the Comprehensive Early Childhood Care Centers that were recently opened. Well, Mr. President, we'll continue in another segment. of the verifications. There are three Hellos. Will Districts, Sergeant Jose Felix Lopez and Arñito. deliveries of contributions by the national government. The affection and respect of the parents and the press when the President of the Republic comes. We are going to listen to the statements of the President of the Republic. Good morning. I'm really happy. Well, I think the inauguration is already becoming a nice tradition week after week or every other week . This is already the seventh comprehensive Early Childhood care center here in the first department, in the department capital of the city of Concepción. A few kilometers from here, the second one in the department is already being built in the city of Quete. And well, we believe that this is a seed that is beginning to take root, that is beginning to grow, and that is changing. Today we already have 150 children, right? That represents 150 mothers who can go to work, 150 fathers who have the peace of mind that their children are being cared for in the best way possible with nutrition, with all health care, and with the detection of any type of complications in the first months of life. All of this helps, especially in the most needy families, in raising children and in those first 1000 days that are fundamental for the development of people. So, well, I'm very happy to be here at your service. Mr. President, on the one hand, first of all, for us, of course, the whole country is important, but I think there are departments that represent a certain symbolism, right? Concepción was for a long time, for decades, a forgotten, neglected department, and today we are giving it a very high priority. When I came into government, it will be in a few days, uh, 3 years, the access to the city of Concepción was like a war zone, a completely destroyed road, uh, a contract that was totally failed, which linked the route from Concepción to Pozo Colorado. And we quickly got to work, we started solving problems we had inherited, huge problems, and we did n't just stop at solving the problem, we went much further, right? The construction of hospitals, educational centers, the Caipi, what we are seeing now are the works of the Costanera, also a long-dreamed-of project, and of course the route that will go to Caballení, which is already in the evaluation process, which will allow the department to have a truly enormous development. So, I'm really excited. I always say, there's still a long way to go, but clearly in these 3 years there has been a huge change. On one hand, the striking departure of the senatorial minister of dignity mentioned if he receives any pressure to know the details and also about you, Liana and Abracio Carter, to promote the cause against him regarding the change or resignation of the secretary minister of tourism, the minister of Industry and Commerce this morning was already making statements, right? We have a vision and a strategy to merge both secretariats, the Secretariat of Tourism with the Ministry of Industry. We believe that the tourism industry is a very, very important industry, with enormous potential, and there are synergies with the Ministry of Commerce that it has. If we look at the companies that are in the tourism sector, they are mostly SMEs. There is a vice-ministry for SMEs within the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, focusing on access to credit and formalization. So, well, we have this idea and we really value the impetus that Mr. Jacinto Santa María gave in these months and well, finally he preferred to resume his private activities, it was a purely personal decision and I think that the minister already clarified, right?, that we understand that what comes out with dignity is knowing that he acted in a dignified manner in these months. I only have words of gratitude, and regarding the legal processes of any person, in this case the former Minister of Public Works, it is his personal responsibility and that of the administration of justice, which is completely beyond the control of the executive branch. I think we are all asking for fair justice, for a justice that can truly be the same standard for all people who are subject to the law. So there's actually a lot to talk about. Regarding the potential candidacy of Horacio Carte, is that possible? Horacio Carter was already a candidate. All judicial instances and the electoral court have already stated that he has absolutely all freedoms. He was the most voted senator in 2018 and well, unfortunately due to a political decision at that time by a majority, a person who had a mandate, who had a popular mandate at that time, was not allowed to exercise the position for which the citizens elected him. So it's his personal decision, and I truly value it. I'm not only grateful, but I also have words of gratitude because the support we receive from him as party president is, in a way, what demonstrates the political stability that Paraguay is experiencing—a country that is moving forward, that is progressing, where we know there are still many shortcomings that we have to address. But clearly, the scenario that Paraguay is experiencing— political and economic stability—is the result of the work he is doing from the governing board, and of course, there is no doubt that if he is a candidate for senator, he will be the most voted-for senator. I am not currently considering the possibility of being a candidate for the Senate. Today I am focused on finishing my term as President of the Republic on August 15, 202. When time will tell, I will retire from this career or from this position at 49 years old. I'm going to have plenty of time. What I have decided is that when my term ends I will go on to work politically from the Colorado Party and well, from there I will also find a way to continue collaborating. Look, it's a large, complex institution, and as you find problems you'll solve them, right? That's a reality that isn't going to end overnight. to the deterioration process. It was a process of deterioration that probably took 40 years. The improvement process will not be resolved overnight. So what we have to give is all the support, as I am giving to Dr. Ricardo Isaías Fretes so that he can carry out this reform process, and well, we have to give him all the guarantees that he has the freedom to do what he has to do. Would you admit one of your own, for example? Of course, if he is an insured person, of course he is, Mr. President, looking ahead to the third year of your term, uh, how is the cabinet doing? Will it be maintaining the pieces? There's a tired player, as you mentioned, right? You know, right? Yesterday we had this presentation of Jacinto's resignation, so I'm perfectly fine, I do n't lower the pressure on each of the collaborators, I'm pressuring them and I tell them constantly, they have to move faster, they have to climb the stairs two steps if necessary. Well, everyone is free to step aside, but I'm not going to stop demanding results because that's what sovereignty means to us. Thank you so much, guys. the words of the President of the Republic, and the support also of Governor Lis Mesa. At this time the president will travel to the Regional Hospital of Concepción where he will also have a short tour, a brief visit. In just a moment, we'll continue with more on the presidential agenda from the department of Concepción. even you.