Aksyon Demokratiko standard-bearer Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso on Friday declared that he will continue President Rodrigo Duterte’s “Build, Build, Build” program but with a new focus–addressing the minimum basic needs of the people.
“If I become president, I will continue the “Build, Build, Build “ program of this administration. But instead of roads and flyovers, I will build hospitals, school buildings, and mass housing for ordinary people,” Domagoso said during the launch of “Ako si Isko – Volunteers Day” at the Quezon Memorial Circle.
Domagoso explained that these minimum basic needs were what prompted him to build vertical mass housing projects in Manila as well as modern school buildings and fully-equipped and world-class hospitals such as the Covid 19 Field Hospital in Quirino Grandstand and the soon-to-be-finished 10-story New Ospital ng Maynila.
“My dream is your dream. What I want is what you want,” Moreno said, referring to housing, education, and health which are the main concerns of his “Bilis Kilos” 10-point agenda for governance.
“This is the fight of our ordinary Filipinos who fears every day if he still has a house if you still have enough money for the fare. If he has anything to eat in the future. That is the real daily fear of our people,” Domagoso noted.
During his 23 years of being a public servant, Moreno said the welfare of the people and what is beneficial to the people, was his guiding principle.
“What about the future developments of our country and our cities? But for now, let’s focus on the people’s needs firsts — cheap prices, there is a job, there is a school, there is a house. Meaning life is secured. Because we have the ability to address the health issues of every Filipino,” he said.
Domagoso’s 30-minute speech also touched on the need to protect life and promote livelihood in this time of the pandemic.
“Life and livelihood are important now. So I took a running mate who is a doctor — Dr. Willie Ong is our people’s doctor. A doctor who cares about the whole country,” Domagoso said, even as he urged the people to support his vice-presidential candidate.
The October 29 event in Quezon City was the first time that Moreno met with the different “Ako si Isko” volunteer groups including those coming from the youth and senior citizens sector numbering more than 50.
Because of the health protocols being implemented as a result of Covid-19, the number of attendees physically present at the covered court of the Quezon Memorial Circle was limited to an estimated 200 to 300 people. Other volunteers took part in the activity through Zoom.
The 47-year old Domagoso was accompanied by his running mate and senatorial bets Moro civic leader and women’s rights advocate Samira Gutoc, former Quezon City councilor Jopet Sison, and radio host and entrepreneur Carl Balita.
At the end of his speech, Moreno rallied his volunteers to “go forth and further multiply” as he thanked Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte for the warm welcome and hospitality in Friday’s “meet and greet” between the presidential candidate and his supporters.
“Go forth and multiply,” the Aksyon Demokratiko standard-bearer exhorted his army of volunteers led by former Transport Undersecretary Tim Orbos and former government official Atty. Raoul Creencia.
“I thank Mayor Joy, the organizers in Quezon City and various parts of the Philippines for hosting this program. We are very grateful and we are looking forward for more events like this as what we did in Batangas, Tarlac and Pampanga. Tomorrow, we will be in Northern Luzon and in the evening, we will be somewhere in Metro Manila again. So here it is, we just keep going, just going round and round until you faint,” Moreno bantered.
The volunteer’s groups supporting the presidential bid of Moreno include the Ateneo Lawyers for Isko, Isko Moreno Lawyers and Volunteers, Pilipinas God First, Isko Nation, Ranao God First Movement, One Muslim Heart for Isko, BCOBAR or the Bangsamoro Communities Outside BARMM for Isko, Pilipinas God First BARMM, Samahan ng Kuya Agila para kay Isko, Marawi, IDPS; and Bilos Kilos Pinay, Ilaw at Sandigan ng Kabataang Organisado, Integrated Media for Yorme, Tahanan ng Alumni of Tondo High School, Puso ng Maynila, Pledge of allegiance by; Inisyatibo ng Makabagong Pilipino (IMP), Noypi for Yorme, ISKQC (Isko Kami sa Quezon City), Isko Northern Alliance, Isko Tarlac City and Isko Mexico, Pampanga.
Meanwhile, Moreno said if elected president, he will institute policies that would ensure that workers keep their jobs, open more job opportunities for Filipino workers and promote their welfare and that of their families.
Moreno made the pronouncements during a dialogue with workers and officials of Pampanga’s Best Inc. – a multi-million meat processing corporation located in Barangay Dela Paz Norte, San Fernando, Pampanga that employs more than 1,300 workers.
The Aksyon Demokratiko standard-bearer said the effects of the pandemic are just like the calamity that befell the province of Pampanga when MT. Pinatubo erupted in 1991, but on a nationwide scale.
The uncertainty led to business closures and job losses, which are further aggravated by rising prices brought by weekly increases in the price of crude oil in the world market.
“I have no control over the increase in the prices of oil in the world. But I would have control over the government, particularly the taxes. Last week, I presented the first solution I thought of, which we have based on, not just a barber story. I said my administration will allow foregoing 50 percent of oil and electricity taxes for the good of our people,” Moreno told the workers.
Besides immediate savings for the poor, the ordinary workers, and the middle class, cutting taxes on oil products and electricity would also prevent manufacturers from shutting down, thus letting their employees keep their jobs and their livelihood.
To further stimulate job generation, Moreno also bared a plan to rehabilitate thousands of MSMEs (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises) that were forced to close down and lay off millions of workers as a result of the Covid 19 pandemic.
If elected, Moreno would encourage local government units (LGUs) to use the additional income they would get due to the Mandanas ruling for the sustenance of jobs and sustenance of business like what he did in Manila through “creative financial engineering.”