From left to right: Benhur Abalos, Makati City Mayor Abby Binay, ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo (MANILA BULLETIN/ Mayor Binay's office)

ILOILO CITY--Alansya para sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial candidates spoke more about their legislative targets during a press conference at Hotel del Rio here in the Visayas province, their second stop in the 90-day campaign period for the mid-term polls.

Panfilo "Ping" Lacson--who is on the comeback trail in the Senate--says he wants to study a way in how to institutionalize so-called Kadiwa stores so that inflation or the rise in prices of basic goods could be contained.

"Maganda nang ma-institutionize by way of legislation para matulungan natin hindi lamang yung ating mga magsasaka kundi yung mga pangkaraniwang mamimili," said the former multi-term senator.

(It's better to institutionalize this by way of legislation so that we can help not only our farmers, but also the common consumer.)

"Ito'y napa-practice na rin sa ibang probinsya na kung saan nakiki-alam yung local government units (LGU), nag-i-intervene na. Yung mga produce ng mga farmers ay sila na yung bumibili at dini-distribute sa mga Kadiwa stores. Nang sa ganun pagnawala yung mga middlemen malaking ibababa ng presyo," explained Lacson.

(It's already being practiced in some provinces wherein the LGUs have begun to intervene. They are now buying the farmers' produce so they may distribute them to Kadiwa stores. By eliminating the middlemen, a huge drop in price follows.)

Lacson, along with fellow Alyansa bets ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo and former senator Manny Pacquiao vocalised their backing of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), which comprose around 99 percent of all businesses in the Philippines. 

"Kung hindi natin ‘yan sila tutulungan, hindi natin palalakasin ‘yan, imposible na maka-recover agad tayo (If we don't help them, if we don't strengthen them, it will ne impossible for us to recover immediately,” Pacquiao said, as he promised to secure additional funding for the sector.

The candidates’ MSME agenda resonates particularly in Iloilo, which is primarily an agricultural economy with wholesale and retail trade, forestry and fishing industries.

Tulfo proposed to expand the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), particularly for impoverished communities and unemployed individuals. The program targets beneficiaries that graduate from the government's Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).

Tulfo said that under SLP, beneficiaries must first undergo Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) training before they can receive DSWD funding. “Kailangan mo munang mag-undergo ng training sa TESDA kung anong klaseng negosyo o pagpapatakbo ng negosyo," explained the former DSWD chief.

(You must undergo training at TESDA first to determine your type of business or how to run a business. 

Alyansa candidate, former Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) secretary Benhur Abalos, expressed strong support for the rehabilitation of the Iloilo International Airport here, as he cited its potential to drive tourism growth and economic development in Western Visayas.

Iloilo saw a significant increase in visitors, from 13.4 percent during the pandemic to 17.81 percent in 2023, generating P8.3 billion in tourism receipts in 2023, according to Abalos. 

“This surge in tourist arrivals is a great sign. It shows that people want to visit Iloilo. With this growth, our infrastructure must keep up. That’s why I fully support the rehabilitation of the airport,” he said.

Abalos said the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) should prioritize the approval od proposals for the rehabilitation of the Iloilo airport. "I believe NEDA has studied this, and I will advocate for its implementation."

For her part, Makati City Mayor and senatorial aspirant Abby Binay believes that legislation calling for the removal of taxes on overtime pay and other bonuses will bring economic relief to workers. 

The mayor also believed that the extra take home pay would have far-reaching effects. "More money for them to spend, which is what we need for our economy," she noted. 

Removing taxes on overtime pay and other bonuses, free maintenance medicines and better education are the three priority programs of Mayor Binay.

The 12 administration senatorial candidates would later converge at the Gaisano City Center here for their proclamation rally. President Marcos was listed as the guest of honor for the event.

House Deputy Majority Leader Iloilo City lone district Julienne “Jam” Baronda and the rest of Team Sulong Gugma welcomed the Chief Executive upon his arrival. 

Joining Baronda were former mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog and Love-Love Baronda. The rally was attended by an estimated 35,000 supporters.

“We warmly welcome President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. and the Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas slate to Iloilo City. Through various assistance programs and infrastructure projects, PBBM has ensured that the government’s Gugma is felt and experienced by the Ilonggos. Today, we express our heartfelt gratitude for his contributions and future initiatives for the people of the heart of the Philippines,” said Baronda.