Leyte Rep. Yedda Marie Kittilstvedt-Romualdez on Friday said she was confident President Rodrigo Duterte whom she regards as “no non-sense action man” will prioritize the renovation of the country’s airports and tourism infrastructures after the country secured the right to host the 2017 Miss Universe pageant.
“For one thing, the President earned the reputation as a no non-sense action man who got things done. I trust his leadership to fix the airport concerns and tourism problems. The event will place us in the international spotlight and will boost our tourism,” Kittilstvedt-Romualdez, a former Binibining Pilipinas International 1996, said.
Kittilstvedt-Romualdez—the wife of former House independent bloc leader and former Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, who is both president of the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats and the Philippine Constitution Association—recalled that the Manila airport in the past had suffered congestion, security, technical concerns, not so good maintenance and alleged overcharging of airport taxis and among others.
Kittilstvedt-Romualdez lauded President Duterte, Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo and reigning Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach for clinching the chance to host the pageant in the Philippines on Jan. 30, 2017, at the Mall of Asia Arena.
“This will encourage new investments that would provide jobs and earn the Philippines a name as a venue for more big international events,” she added.
Kittilstvedt-Romualdez noted that “in beauty pageants, the young, talented, intelligent and charismatic women have been given a shot at their dreams and these competitions also bring inspiration to the people.
She also pointed out that hosting an international beauty pageant, especially the Miss Universe is as“illustrious as winning the crown itself.”
“By hosting the event, we already won the competition because it signifies that we live in a prosperous, peaceful and orderly nation,” Kittilstvedt-Romualdez said.
She also stressed that beauty pageants should be supported because these promote good advocacies and have been fostering humanity and humility.
Kittilstvedt-Romualdez is a staunch advocate of women and children’s rights.