Makati City Mayor Abby Binay (left), Las Piñas City lone district Rep. Camille Villar (Facebook)

Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial candidates Las Piñas City lone district Rep. Camille Villar and Makati City Mayor Abby Binay gathered more support from the local level before the expected break in their respective campaigns this Holy Week.

In a statement on Holy Wednesday, April 16, Villar thanked Bohol Governor Aris Aumentado for the latter’s support for her senatorial bid in next month’s mid-term elections. 

During her recent visit to Bohol, Villar underscored the importance of beefing up resources and manpower for local tourism as a way fo improve the economy and provide more job opportunities for the people.

The House deputy speaker noted how Bohol has become a world tourist destination for its coral reefs and unusual geological formations, most notably the Chocolate Hills.   

Bohol is also popular for its Loboc River Cruise, Hinagdanan Cave, and the extra ordinary experiences of swimming with whale sharks and snorkelling with the sea turtles.

Villar reiterated her advocacies in putting forward the welfare of overseas Filipino Workers (OFWS), women and children, and the need to boost small and medium-sized enterprises, infrastructure, the housing sector, and education during her campaign in the Central Visayas.

Meanwhile, Binay gained on Wednesday the endorsement of Nueva Ecija Governor Aurelio “Oyie” Umali during a meet-and-greet with local officials held at the municipality of Santa Rosa.

Umali assured Binay of the full support of the Province of Nueva Ecija. He said the Senate needs someone like her who truly understands the needs of local governments.

Binay thanked Umali and his fellow officials for their support and pledged to shine a light on prevailing issues faced by local governments in the country.

The lady mayor said her priorities include major amendments to the 1991 Local Government Code as a way to strengthen local government units (LGUs) as catalysts of sustainable and inclusive development in the country.

Binay has also vowed to push for legislative innovations that will translate to better services for the Filipino people, such as free maintenance medicines and better preventive healthcare, stronger educational foundation in early childhood, and tax-exempt overtime pay and bonuses for better takehome pay of workers in both government and the private sector.