THE RIGHT MOVE
Rikki Mathay
Running as councilor in Quezon City’s 6th district which covers my home in Tandang Sora, Pasong Tamo, Culiat, Sauyo, New Era and up to barangays Baesa, Balonbato, Apolonio Samson, Sangandaan Talipapa and Unang Sigaw. My main objective has been that of a good Samaritan – pure, unadulterated public service.
I have always lived a comfortable life being a mom, a businesswoman and head of various non-government organizations, but I decided to give this opportunity a shot believing that I could simply be more for others and serve beyond a mere volunteer’s or a good samaritan’s capabilities.
Little did I know that I was entering a warzone where there’s more to sheer idealism and hopes and dreams. Of course, I am not only banking on the goodness of my heart, nor the untainted political surname I carry, but backed with relevant educational background and my personal work experiences in the media and government particularly in the Senate of the Philippines, where I was encouraged to be equipped with the proper ammunition.
In times of uncertainty where a philanthropist as myself decides to run in a political campaign, I am relieved with events inspiring me that I do have a bigger purpose. So while most of us welcomed 2022 with a hangover from our NYE gatherings, I attended a full day online seminar on good governance headed by Anak Partylist Representative and Quezon City Mayoral candidate Mike Defensor and Vice Mayoral aspirant, former Congressman and current councilor Winnie Castelo who has several proposed anti-pandemnic ordinances that are pro-poor and pro-local businesses. A voracious learner such as myself welcomed such an opportunity to further equip myself with more tools to have a much clearer vision.
Congressman Defensor and Winnie Castelo, along with congressional aspirants under the Malayang QC party including Congressman Bingbong Crisologo of District 6, reminded aspiring councilors that beyond whatever motivation each of us had for running, there are seemingly forsaken issues that need immediate solutions and actions.
My mind has been racing with ideas on what I can contribute to the progress of the city where I am running, and being a long time health advocate, my priority if given the opportunity to serve, is the creation of a Philippine Red Cross district office where all the medical services of Red Cross would be readily available to those from District 6.
Having started as a Red Cross 143 volunteer, I know that there is no price to the heart of a volunteer, and with this I am confident that the people who I wish to serve will greatly benefit from this program.
As of the moment though, I know that we need ordinances to support those living under the poverty lines who have been greatly affected more than the rest, as well as local businesses who have been struggling during the economic fall these past year or so.
In line with this, there are several current proposed ordinances, which in my opinion, deserve immediate approval and implementation. I am particularly eager to see Castelo’s PO462, S-2021 see the light of day which proposes cash aid to indigent QC residents as the social amelioration program of DSWD is unable to cover everyone who needs assistance particularly in a city with close to three million residents. Alongside this is PO485, S-2021 which would grant ₱500 monthly cash assistance to yet another sector, the indigent senior citizens of the city.
Now that the cases of Omicron are on a rise again, we do need to step up protocols, but we also need to come up with ways to help each other survive this crisis together. And when I say “together,” even those fortunate enough to live above poverty lines need government initiated support. Not because someone is perceived to be living a comfortable life necessarily means that this person has the current financial means to deal with all the responsibilities of a taxpayer especially during these difficult times.
As a property owner myself, I likewise have to contend with rising property taxes, and while it is understandable for any LGU to earn from taxes, I hope that during these trying times where everyone- including the middle class – need some form of support, I hope that the ordinance to permanently scrap ordinance SP-2556 which increases real property taxes will finally be enacted, as well as the ordinance to grant at least five percent tax holiday to all QC registered businesses especially during this pandemic.
A study of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) shows that in terms of the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on businesses and households, we are the nation that has it worst. 70.6 percent of micro, small and medium enterprises in the Philippines were forced to temporarily close due to the outbreak, so LGUs at least need to show its support for those barely remaining afloat.
This pandemic is a reset. A reset to going back to striving for a more equitable society and we can start with those who we choose to lead and govern us and protect the most vulnerable in society with that authority and privilege they were entrusted with by the people. From the current events that are unfurling, what is clear is that the end is far from over. We are still not certain where this pandemic will lead our nation or the world, so now more than ever, we need to rise up as one, beyond social classes, across socio-economic sectors, and as a country with citizens culturally known to look out for each other.