Benhur Abalos (Facebook)

Administration senatorial candidate Benhur Abalos has gained the endorsement of several mayors and local officials in Albay, which is part of the vote-rich Bicol region.

Abalos, who is part of the Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas ticket, recently visited Albay as part of his campaign trail leading to the May 12 mid-term elections.

Expressing their support for the Senate bid and legislative agenda of the former Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) secretary were Tiwi Mayor Jaime Villanueva, Camalig Mayor Carlos Baldo, Oas Mayor Domingo Escoto, Daraga Acting Mayor Jungie Jaucian, Guinobatan Mayor Chino Garcia, Sto. Domingo Vice Mayor Mark Aguas, Mainto Mayor Mayor Rebecca Chen, Jovellar Mayor Jorem Arcangel, Legazpi Mayor Alfredo Gabin Jr., Bacacay Mayor Mayor Edsel Belleza, Pio Duran Mayor Alan Arandia, and Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co.

In a press conference, Villanueva underscored the importance of electing leaders with first hand knowledge of grassroots governance. 

“Hindi lahat ng kandidato ay mayroong karanasan tulad ni secretary Abalos. Sana yan ang maging basehan ng mga botante para pumili ng nararapat sa Senado (Not all candidates have secretary Abalos' experience. I hope this becomes the voters' basis in choosing who is worthy for the Senate)," Villanueva said.

Baldo echoed this sentiment, as he highlighted Abalos’ past initiatives that benefited local government units (LGUs). 

“Kahit noong nasa DILG po siya, ang mga programa po niya ay talagang tumutulong sa local government. Kaya karapat-dapat lamang na masuportahan natin si Senator Abalos para mas mabigyang pansin ang pangangailangan ng LGUs sa national level,” he said. 

(Even before when he was with the DILG, his programs had been centered on helping the local government. That's why Senator Abalos is worthy of our support, and this will bring LGUs' concerns to the national level.)

For Escoto, Abalos’ understanding of the challenges faced by LGUs makes him an ideal senator. 

“Importante na naiintindihan ng isang senador ang plight ng mga [LGUs]. Alam niya ang nangyayari sa amin dito sa baba (It's important for a senator to understand the plight of LGUs. He knows what we're going through down here)," Escoto noted.

Jaucian also committed to actively campaign for Abalos, as he cited the need for policymakers with LGU experience. 

“Marami tayong batas na ginagawa pero hindi naman doable sa local government. Kailangan po natin ng senador na may karanasan sa LGUs para masigurong kayang gawin ng LGUs ang ipinapasa ng national government,”Jaucian stated.

(A lot of laws are being legislated but they aren't doable in the local government level. We need a senator with LGU experience to ensure that LGUs can implement the laws being passed by the national government.

Abalos is a former Mandaluyong City mayor and iis credited bringing the city shoulder to shoulder with the bigger economies of then metropolis.