Senatorial aspirant Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr. vowed to champion economic reforms aimed at strengthening the business sector and improving the quality of life of Filipino families.
“Investments are very important,” Abalos said in a radio interview, adding that these are essential to generating business opportunities and employment.
Abalos, former secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government, said he will champion legislative measures being pushed by the business sector to improve the country’s investment climate.
He vowed to support the amendments to the Philippine Ports Authority Charter that seek to transfer PPA-operated ports to a dedicated public sector entity to resolve issues of conflict of interest and enhance public safety and operational efficiency.
Being an archipelagic country, the Philippines’ maritime laws should likewiss be strengthened, Abalos said, as he lauded the passage of International Maritime Trade Competitiveness Act, which would increase government oversight on international shipping lines imposing local charges.
To improve the country’s airports, Abalos backed the business sector’s proposal for the establishment of a Philippine Airports Authority.
Aside from investment and job creation, Abalos promised to focus on measures that will uplift the quality of life of Filipinos by ensuring access to basic needs such as stable jobs, reliable electricity, food, nutrition, and decent income.
“All Filipinos have the right to nutritious food, to stable jobs, to all things needed to have a good quality of life,” he said.
“Of course, we can achieve this with the right people in government. With effective leadership, essential aspects like affordable electricity, lower taxes, and stronger support for agriculture can all contribute to improving lives,” Abalos said.
