The UniTeam tandem of former Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte has promised to look into the problems of the sugar industry and offer possible solutions.
The candidates made the promise in the course of a dialogue in Bacolod City late Wednesday with sugar planters and farmers and local officials in Negros Occidental, the country’s biggest sugar producer.
Some 25 of the province’s 31 town mayors and several lawmakers committed their support to the BBM-Sara ticket as well.
Marcos said the support of local officials is a “very good development” for Duterte and their senatorial candidates.
Duterte said their dialogue with sugar planters and farmers centered on the problems besetting their industry.
Mayor Ella Celestina Yulo of Moises Padillla town, one of the mayors who attended the dialogue, said it is important for the government to find solutions to the problems of sugar producing provinces.
Sugar producers have earlier complained about continued sugar importation.
Aside from Negros Occidental, other sugar-producing provinces include Negros Oriental, Iloilo, Bukidnon, Batangas, Pampanga, and Tarlac.
The BBM-Sara tandem and their senatorial candidates later held a grand rally at the Bredco Port reclamation area in Bacolod City.
Addressing their supporters, Mayor Sara said the UniTeam slate, if it gets elected on May 9, would work to restore jobs and livelihood opportunities lost because of the coronavirus disease-19 COVID-19 pandemic.
“Unity is needed by the country. What is needed by the nation? First, we have to restore jobs that were lost because of the pandemic. And how do we get good jobs? If we have quality education for the youth. Third, all people, not only Filipinos, want a peaceful existence.”
Duterte said she would also continue the programs and reforms of her father, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.
“The UniTeam is committed to continue the reforms that were started during the administration of President Duterte. First of all, the ‘Build Build Build’ program or infrastructure development spending of our country. Secondly, the continuous effort to eradicate criminality and illegal drugs that destroy the youth and damage our future,” the mayor added.
The vice-presidential aspirant urged Filipinos to unite behind the leaders they will elect in May in solving the nation’s problems.
“The message of UniTeam is unity, that is our emphasis. We can do this all if you, once we have chosen the leader that we want in the coming election, we will take one toward national development,” she stressed.
The President’s daughter also took pride in the values she learned from her parents.
“I bring to my job the lessons taught by my parents that in the performance of my job, everyone should be equal in the eyes of a public official,” she said.
“And I bring what you have, all the Filipinos are strong hearted, and I am one also. I will use the strength of my heart to bring to you a peaceful existence in our country. Mahalin po natin ang Pilipinas! Mabuhay ang Bacolod, mabuhay ang Negros Occidental!” she told the crowd of thousands.