Presidential candidate and Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso on Monday, Feb 14, vowed that he will continue the Duterte administration's “Build, Build, Build” program in the whole province of Samar.
“Alam mo ang Samar, correct me if I’m wrong, for the past 60 years walang na-elect dito na national official. (For the past 60 years no one has been elected as a national official in Samar) I mean in a national level, walang senador ‘to, walang vice president ‘to, wala pa kayong presidente, 60 years mahigit (It has no senator, no vice president, no president, for more than 60 years) I think the last time was in the 1950s," Domagoso said.
"My point baka napapanahon naman na, itong Waray-Waray nating mga kababayan, kahit anong kulay ng partido nila sa lokal, baka naman pwede nyong pagkaisahan? Yung anak ng Waray, di ba? (My point is that maybe it's time, our Waray-Waray compatriots, no matter what color their party is locally, maybe you can unite?)," he added.
Domagoso’s mother, Rosario “Nanay Chayong” Moreno hails from the town of Allen, Northern Samar, while his father, Joaquin Domagoso, was from Antique in Panay island.
“Bakit napag-iwanan? Ang Samar isa sa pinakamahirap na bayan na probinsya dahil sa again and again, basta ako straight-forward facts lang, 21 years binigyan natin ng pagkakataon yung pula, good for them, nakaraan na ‘yon. Eighteen years, binigyan natin ng pagkakataon mga dilaw, okay na ‘yun, nagdaan na yun. Twenty-one plus 18, bale 39 years kumusta naman kayo? Yan ang sagutin ninyo (Why was it abandoned? Samar is one of the poorest towns in the province because again and again, I only state straight-forward facts, 21 years we already gave the red a chance, good for them, that’s over. Eighteen years, we gave the yellows a chance, that’s okay, it’s over. 21 plus 18, 39 years how are you? That is your answer)," he added.
Domagoso also vowed anew to address poverty, hunger, unemployment, inequality, and social injustice in the country.
Like what he had done in Manila, the presidential aspirant said that he will prioritize the distribution of aid to Filipino families affected by the COVID-19.
“Syempre ang gagawin natin kung tayo ay nasa pandemya pa syempre yung ayuda katulad ngayon na ginagawa namin sa Maynila maitawid lang natin yung ating mga kababayan, naipangako ko na yun na kung anong nangyari sa Maynila patungkol sa ayuda, itutuloy natin sa buong Pilipinas (What we will do is to continue the distribution of aid to the public just like what we did in Manila during the pandemic, I already promised that what I did in Manila will continue throughout the whole Philippines)," he said.
The presidential hopeful also promised that more health-oriented facilities will be built throughout the country, adding he aims to construct 107,000 additional hospital beds in his first 1,000 days in office.
He said he will also push for his running mate and vice presidential aspirant Dr. Willie Ong's plan to construct Cancer Center of the Philippines and infectious disease hospital, as well as building of more schools in the province.
Domagoso also said he will invest in improving the internet connectivity in the country if he wins the presidency.
The Manila mayor also mentioned anew his commitment to cut by 50 percent the taxes that go to fuel and electricity.
Domagoso, meanwhile, maintained he will not back out from the presidential race and will continue his path to presidency.
Domagoso has been repeatedly saying he ran for the highest position in the country to offer what they have done in Manila that are duplicable and scalable in terms of how they approach COVID-19 pandemic.