Vice President Leni Robredo has a load of promises to Samareños: roads, electricity, internet and mobile telecom services that will bring progress to an often-neglected region of the country.
Like her hometown Bicol region, the Vice President admitted that it felt like Samar has been left behind by previous administrations.
But as her belief, no one should be left behind if she wins as president in May 2022.
“Kausap ko po 'yung mga governors natin at ako po– nandito po si Governor Ben, nandito si Governor Edwin– nangako ako sa kanila na ipa-prioritize natin na ang Samar pag tayo ay umupo bilang pangulo (I was talking with our governors and as for me — Governor Ben and Governor Edwin are here — I promised them that we will prioritize Samar if I sit as president),” she told thousands of kakampinks that crowded for the Catbalogan People’s Rally.
The rally was held at the Capitol Grounds in Catbalogan, Western Samar, a few steps from the office of Governor Reynolds Michael Tan, who endorsed former Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Catbalogan City Mayor Dexter Uy also endorsed the former senator’s presidential bid.
“Ang pangako ko, gagawin ko ang lahat para walang naiiwan. Gustong sabihin, 'yung mas mahirap 'yung pinagdadaanan, dapat mas malaki din 'yung tulong na binibigay (My promise, I will do everything so no one gets left behind. I want to say, the ones going through hardships should get bigger help),” Robredo said.
In particular, the aspiring president will focus on the Basey to Catbalogan road.
“Ako po, singilin niyo ako pero ang pangako ko, pagkaupong-pagkaupo natin, aasikasuhin na po natin 'yan (Me, demand from me but I promise, once I sit, we will take care of that),” she added.
In Catarman, Northern Samar, Robredo shared that traveling from Catbalogan to Catarman made her realize that a lot of places in the island are still without mobile phone signal.
This, she said, will bring great challenges to students and workers.
“Ang hirap diba? Mahirap sa mga estudyante, mahirap sa mga nagta-trabaho. Kaya po ang isang ipapangako ko sa inyo, sisiguraduhin po na lahat gagawin natin para ‘yung mga lugar na wala pang signal, magkakaroon pa (It’s difficult, right? It’s hard for the students and workers. That’s why one of my promises is I will make sure to do everything so the places will have signal),” Robredo promised.
She addressed thousands of her supporters at the University of Eastern Philippines in Northern Samar. Some of the supporters have been waiting for seven hours, and have endured rain or shine.
Robredo said she will also make sure that all areas in Samar will have access to affordable electricity.
She highlighted the need to complete a circumferential road that will connect the three provinces, as well as more roads that will bring development to far-flung areas in the island.
Robredo won in Samar Island in 2016. This year, Western Samar and Northern Samar have roughly one million registered voters.