Outgoing Antique representative and three-term Senator Loren Legarda has been inaugurated for her fourth Senate term in the 19th Congress.

She took oath alongside other Antique officials at the EBJ Freedom Park in San Jose De Buenavista Municipality, Antique Province.

“Today marks my 22nd year as your lawmaker. I stand honored and proud before you to accept my mandate once again, to be your Senator for the fourth time,” said Legarda in her inauguration speech made Monday, June 27

“Trabaho at kabuhayan. Ito ang dapat nating patuloy na isulong lalo na’t hindi pa tapos ang ating laban sa kasalukuyang pandemya at sa krisis ng klima (Work and livelihood. This is what we need to advance especially that our fight against the pandemic and the climate crisis is not yet over),” she said.

Legarda then cited sectors and issues that she would address in her upcoming Senate term including students and education; livelihood and provincial micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs); health; and climate change.

“Kasama rin sa ating isusulong ay ang pagpasa ng One Tablet, One Student Act na makatutulong sa ating mga mag-aaral na harapin ang pandemya ngayon (We will also work towards the passage of the One Tablet, One Student Act which will help students face the pandemic),” Legarda began.

“I have witnessed the untapped possibilities of millions of Filipinos: weavers, entrepreneurs, indigenous communities, and cultural creatives. There is so much potential for growth in our rural areas. We need to expand our reach to include local entrepreneurs and indigenous communities and ensure that everyone benefits from government programs such as the MSME Law,” she said.

“We need the full implementation of the Universal Health Care Act. The Law was passed in 2019 and yet Filipinos are still desperately trying to gain access to the assistance intended for them,“ Legarda said.

“Nature-based solutions will be the new currency as the world works towards resilience. The key is involving local communities and other stakeholder groups in both the design and implementation of plans,” she added.

She then referenced her victory in the elections wherein she placed second among all Senatorial candidates.

“I am humbled by the overwhelming mandate I have received from more than 24.2 million people, and I am overflowing with gratitude. Like the past twenty-four years, I will carry and keep ablaze the torch of unity, reform, and good governance alongside the new leadership,” the lady Senator concluded.