Presidential candidate and Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso on Wednesday, March 2, promised to provide more benefits to workers in the various economic and industrial zones in the country.

“I’ve heard about ‘yung mga konting request ng ating mga manggagawa sa (some request of our workers in) economic zones. What additional benefits they can get from the national government in terms of tax share or from the taxes that are generated from the area. So, I will look into it. In fact, one of the requests is for healthcare,” Domagoso said during a press conference at the Provincial Capitol in San Fernando, Pampanga.

“But If my figure is correct at three and two, two percent goes to the local government unit and three percent goes to the national government. Papag-aralan namin kung papaano ko babawasan, at actually mababawasan (We will study how I can reduce, and actually reduce), but to focus on a particular x percent from the three percent na nakukuha ng (they are getting) national government na maibalik sa mga (to bring it back to) workers inside Clark, for example,” he explained Based on the provisions of the Special Economic Zone Act (RA 7196), the national government should receive three percent of the special tax paid by ecozone enterprises while two percent should go to the local government unit where the enterprise is located.

Domagoso said this will not only benefit the people of Pampanga, but also thousands of workers in all economic and industrial zones in the country.

“Kapag ginawa ko ‘yon sa Pampanga, mangyayari rin ‘yon sa Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Cagayan, sa Bataan at saan mang area na merong ganitong klaseng economic zones. So ‘yon ang pinag-aaralan namin, what extra social services if a particular geography in the locality produce more economic returns sa national government (If I do that in Pampanga, it will also happen in Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Cagayan, Bataan and any area that has this kind of economic zones. So, that is what we are studying, what extra social services if a particular geography in the locality produces more economic returns to the national government),” he said.

“Basta ang importante lang sa akin, ‘yung kapakinabangan ng tao, in this case, particular na sector, mga manggagawa. Kasi ang buhay nung mga pabrikang ‘yon, o mga industriyang ‘yon, ‘yung mga skilled individual, which is Pilipino, na siya namang nagbibigay ng buhay sa ating ekonomiya (What’s important to me is the benefit of the people, in this case, the particular sector, the workers. Because the life of those factories, or those industries, are the skilled individuals, which are Filipinos, who in turn give life to our economy). And I’m for jobs,” he said.

Domagoso reiterated the he and his running mate and vice presidential candidate Doc Willie Ong will focus on “life and lovelihood” in the next two years if elected.

“‘Yun ang thrust and focus namin. So, I’ll make sure something will happen with that request of the Kapampangans,” he said.

Domagoso then expressed his gratitude to Governor Dennis Pineda and the provincial government for their warm welcome to the team.

“Maraming, maraming salamat kay Gov, at sa Sangguniang Panlalawigan. Kami po ay taos-pusong nagpapasalamat sa mainit na pagtanggap nila. I am happy na nandito kami, tinaggap kami, libre pa tsitsa namin. Saan ka nakakita ng gannung governor di ba? I am grateful. In fact, no pressure from the governor. The mere fact na tinaggap kami dito, masaya na ako. I am happy (Many, many thanks to the Governor and to the Provincial Council. We are sincerely grateful for their warm welcome. I am happy that we are here, we were accepted, there’s even free snacks. Where can you see such a governor? I am grateful. In fact, no pressure from the governor. The mere fact that we were accepted here, I was happy. I am happy),” he said.

“Dumating kaming tao, tinanggap kaming tao, aalis kaming tao, uuwi kaming tao, saan ka kukuha ng ganun. E ‘yung iba nga permit pa lang binabawi pa e. Doon mo nasusukat ang ugali ng tao (We came as a person, we were accepted as a person, we will leave as a person, we will go home as a person, where do you get that. While some even revokes permits),” said Moreno.# This is the third time that Domagoso visited the province. The Manila mayor was also in Pampanga last October 28 and December 3 as part of his “Listening Tour”.