Provincial governors have accepted the challenge of Speaker Martin Romualdez to help President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s intensified campaign in fighting poverty and other problems the nation and their communities are facing.
They told the 300-plus-strong House of Representatives leader that they are ready to extend a helping hand and share the same aspirations for their constituents as President Marcos and Speaker Romualdez.
“Getting our people out of poverty should be a shared goal of the national government and local government units.”
“Nakahanda kaming tumulong sa patuloy at mas maigting na paglaban sa kahirapan. Getting our people out of poverty should be a shared goal of the national government and local government units,” Isabela Gov. Rodito Albano said.
“Matagal nang problema ang kahirapan sa mga urban center at sa kanayunan. But the administration of PBBM is making substantial progress in reducing poverty,” Albano stressed.
Another governor, Dax Cua of Quirino, said, “We accept the Speaker’s challenge. We should have more meetings to flesh out the details of fighting poverty and other provincial problems, including peace and order.”
Batangas Gov. Hermilando Mandanas echoed the readiness of his colleagues to help get their constituents out of poverty and improve the lives of Filipinos in general.
“Masaya kami na binigyang pansin ni Speaker Romualdez ang problemang ito, at tinatanggap namin ang hamon niya,” Mandanas said.
The House leader made the challenge on behalf of the Marcos administration during the first meeting with a group of 27 governors recently.
On another meeting, he met with the second batch, which consisted of 17 governors, including Albano, Cua and Mandanas.
Romualdez said he was happy with the local officials’ response.
“We can accelerate poverty reduction in our country if the national and local government units work together. Of course, we also need the help of the private sector, huge corporations, and businessmen,” the veteran legislator said.
Albano said the government has to develop and modernize agriculture “because a lot of our people in the provinces depend on farming for livelihood”.
“Aangat ang buhay nila if we improve farming methods and productivity.”
“Aangat ang buhay nila if we improve farming methods and productivity,” he stressed.
Sharing Albano’s suggestion, Cua said that necessary support for agriculture includes irrigation, equipment and high-yielding seeds.
The Quirino governor said more harvest for the farmer means more income and additional contribution to the country’s rice supply.
“If we have more rice supply, prices will surely go down to the benefit of all consumers,” he stressed.
The other governors who attended the meeting were Rogelio Roque of Bukidnon, Erico Aumentado of Bohol, Henry Oaminal of Misamis Occidental, Datu Pax Mangudadatu of Sultan Kudarat, Susan Yap of Tarlac, Humerlito Dolor of Oriental Mindoro; Jose Gambito of Nueva Vizcaya, Peter Unabia of Misamis Oriental, Sharee Ann Tan of Samar, Eduardo Gadiano of Occidental Mindoro, Joseph Cua of Catanduanes, Manuel Sagarbarria of Negros Oriental, Hajiman Hataman Salliman of Basilan, and Rhodora Cadiao of Antique.
Special Assistant to President Anton Lagdameo and Palawan Rep. Jose Alvarez attended the event.
Lagdameo, Alvarez, Dax Cua and Joseph Cua had already joined the first meeting with governors.
The 25 other governors who participated in the first meeting with Romualdez were Ben Evardone of Eastern Samar, Victor Yu of Zamboanga del Sur, Alexander Pimentel of Surigao del Sur, Yvonne Cagas of Davao del Sur, Emmylou Mendoza of Cotabato, Edwin Ongchuan of Northern Samar, Ysmael Sali of Tawi-Tawi; Reynaldo Tamayo of South Cotabato, Ramon Guico III of Pangasinan, Malou Cayco of Batanes, Jerry Singson of Ilocos Sur, Elias Bulut of Apayao, Enrique Garcia of Bataan, Jun Ebdane of Zambales, Melchor Diclas of Benguet, James Edubba of Kalinga, Jerry Dalipog of Ifugao, Bonifacio Lacwasan of Mountain Province; Jose Riano of Romblon, Ricarte Padilla of Camarines Norte, Nina Ynares of Rizal, JC Rahman Nava of Guimaras, Arthur Defensor Jr. of Iloilo, Jake Villa of Siquijor and Xavier Jesus Romualdo of Camiguin.
House Senior Deputy Speaker Dong Gonzales Jr. of Pampanga, Deputy Speaker Jay-jay Suarez and Navotas Representative Toby Tiangco also attended the event.
