Leyte 4th district Rep. Richard Gomez finally had his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) experience on Monday, July 25, being one of the neophytes in the current 19th Congress.
As it turns out, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s speech made quite the impression on the popular movie actor-turned-congressman.
“President Marcos gave the nation an excellent presentation of his administration’s six-year vision. It was both refreshing and comforting to hear the President’s very positive outlook on the future of our country," Gomez said in a statement Tuesday, July 26.
"I laud him for his detailed economic recovery plan, which puts a premium on sustaining infrastructure programs, particularly former President Duterte’s BBB (Build, Build, Build) master plan, and instituting reforms and improvements in the agricultural and tourism industries as primary drivers in stabilizing the country’s fiscal condition," he noted.
One of the areas where Marcos made multiple pitches on was agriculture, and Gomez said "targeting the agriculture industry and improving existing policies and programs would allow stakeholders to increase their yields and their incomes".
"Our farmers, fisher folks and other industry players have bore the brunt of the Covid-19 pandemic, which was compounded by the onslaught of calamities, the foot-and-mouth disease and the bird flu virus. They would immensely benefit from the introduction of mechanized farming and technology and the construction of more farm-to-market roads," reckoned the former Ormoc City mayor.
"I am likewise enthusiastic about the President’s drive to establish more tourist destinations by building more and improving airports and sea ports. In particular, I am excited about his railway program. I am hoping that we will be able to have a railway system in Ormoc City going to Southern Leyte to make traveling to and from Mindanao easier, faster and more comfortable," Gomez said.
"I am looking forward to the next six years under the Marcos administration as our country moves toward economic stability. With unity and determination, I am confident that we will be able to achieve the President’s fiscal agenda" concluded the rookie solon.