Senatorial candidate and Makati City Mayor Abigail Binay unveiled her social agenda, focusing on improving healthcare and education, as well as boosting workers’ purchasing power by eliminating taxes on overtime pay and the 13th-month salary.
“When the government prioritizes better health and education, our citizens become more productive. By removing taxes on overtime pay and the 13th month, we can stimulate economic growth by increasing our workers’ purchasing power,” Binay stated.
On her first day campaigning, Binay proposed a comprehensive healthcare program that would provide free medicines and pharmaceutical products for conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and other illnesses.
She also advocates for free and unlimited dialysis and chemotherapy, emphasizes preventive care, and aims to improve health facilities, especially in rural areas.
“Quality healthcare should be accessible to anyone in need. Healthcare must be 100% better,” Binay asserted.
In addition to healthcare, Binay highlighted the necessity of education reforms and improving school infrastructure, including access to water and electricity.
“The children really want to learn. They need to feel valued and supported by their government. They deserve better,” she remarked.
Binay believes that technology can play a vital role in enhancing literacy and proficiency by providing public school students with free access to modern learning tools, such as tablets and computers.
This initiative can be implemented alongside addressing the urgent basic needs of students and teachers, including classrooms—particularly in remote areas—updating learning materials, and improving the curriculum.
“In a rapidly changing world, it is the government’s responsibility to ensure that every child, regardless of economic background, has the opportunity to learn, grow, and contribute positively to society,” she said.
