Governors have accepted the challenge of Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez to help President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s intensified campaign in fighting poverty and other problems the nation and their communities are facing.
The governors told the 307-strong House of Representatives leader on Sunday night that they are ready to extend a helping hand and share the same aspirations for their constituents as President Marcos and Speaker Romualdez.
“We are ready to help in the ongoing and intensified fight against poverty. Getting our people out of poverty should be a shared goal of the national government and local government units,” Isabela Gov. Rodito Albano said.
“Poverty has long been a problem in urban centers and rural areas) But the administration of PBBM is making substantial progress in reducing poverty,” he said.
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,” he said.
The House leader made the challenge on behalf of the Marcos administration last Thursday night first meeting with a group of 27 governors.
On Sunday’s second meeting, he met with the second batch, which consisted of 17 governors, including Albano, Cua, and Mandanas.
Speaker 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,” he 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 (Their lives will get better) if we improve farming methods and productivity,” he said.
Sharing Albano’s suggestion, Cua said that necessary support for agriculture includes irrigation, equipment, and high-yielding seeds.
Cua 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 Sunday night’s 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.
House Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales of Pampanga, Deputy Speaker David Suarez, Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco, Special Assistant to the President Anton Lagdameo, and Palawan Rep. Jose Alvarez attended the event Sunday.
Lagdameo, Alvarez, Dax Cua, and Joseph Cua had already joined the first meeting with governors last Thursday.
The 25 other governors who participated in the first meeting with Speaker 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.
