Mindanaoans in the “Food Basket of the Philippines” expressed their trust that Partido Reporma presidential candidate Panfilo Lacson and his slate will help improve their province- Davao Oro, and meet their needs in agriculture, technology, peace and order, environment, and education.
On the second day of their campaigning in Mindanao, Lacson and running mate Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III held a dialogue at the Lorenzo National High School in Mawab to introduce themselves and their senatorial candidates and to elaborate on their platforms and advocacies.
They were warmly received by around 2,600 supporters, including local officials, who wanted to know what are the goals, plans and programs of the Partido Reporma candidates for Mindanao and the whole country.
Meanwhile, the success being experienced by Davao del Norte province can be replicated in this province formerly known as Compostela Valley – as long as its people vote for the “pinakatarong” (most decent or upstanding) candidate for President in the May 9 national elections.
Davao del Norte Governor Edwin Jubahib urged residents in Mawab, Davao Oro to elect Lacson as the country’s next Chief Executive, along with the rest of the party’s slate down to the municipal level.
Lacson unveiled his plan to increase the national budget for research and development specifically for the agricultural sector.
Through this, funds may be funneled toward research against pests, especially those plaguing the acknowledged Banana Capital of the Philippines.
The longtime public servant also vowed to expand the Free Irrigation Act that he authored in the Senate.
He acknowledged that the law wasn’t being felt by farmers owing to the lack of implementation on the ground, that’s why he vowed that his administration would make sure this would benefit all Filipinos.
Lacson said he would help improve barangays across Mindanao and the country through his flagship Budget Reform Advocacy for Village Empowerment (BRAVE) that aims to bring down the government’s funds to the smallest communities nationwide.
He said if the national coffers would only be used properly, corruption would be eliminated entirely, so the government could afford to give each local government unit (LGU) P1 billion in funding annually.
Former Cotabato Governor and Mindanao Development Authority chairman Emmanuel ‘Manny’ Piñol, a guest candidate for senator on the Lacson-Sotto slate, attested the three-term senator could do this and meet the needs of all Mindanaoans.
“This man may not smile but he has noble intentions of leading this country to a straight road towards peace, development and progress,” said Piñol of the former national police chief.
Davao del Norte Governor Edwin Jubahib also confirmed to his fellow Davaoenos that among all the presidential candidates, only Lacson was the most qualified and “pinakamaayos” (most complete), as he urged them to end the cycle of voting for crooked politicians who are masters of graft.
Lacson and Sotto’s allies backstopped their advocacy against corruption and their crusade for good government as mirrored by their campaign slogan of “Aayusin ang Gobyerno, Aayusin ang Buhay ng Bawat Pilipino” (Fix the Government, Fix the Lives of Every Filipino) and “Uubusin ang Magnanakaw” (Get Rid of All Thieves).
Under Lacson administrqtjon , senior high school students would get free tuition, a P5,000 monthly allowance, and be part of a government internship program.