Benhur Abalos (Contributed photo)

The endorsements keep pouring in for Alansya para sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial candidate Benhur Abalos.

This time, it was the Liga ng mga Barangay sa Pilipinas (LNB) that formally announced its backing of the administration bet.

Abalos thanked the organization and reiterated his commitment to championing grassroots governance and strengthening the role of barangays in national development.

“Maraming, maraming salamat sa lahat ng barangay captain ng Pilipinas sa pagsisilbi ninyo sa ating bayan (Thank you very much to all barangay captains of the Philippines for your service to the nation),” said the former Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) secretary.

Abalos, who also served as mayor of Mandaluyong City and chair of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), vowed to amplify the voices of local government units (LGUs) and push for policies that empower them.

“Pabayaan niyo maging boses ako ng mga lokal na pamahalaan. I-empower ko kayo dahil ang susi sa ating bansa–ang magdadala sa Pilipinas ay ang barangay system natin (Let me be the voice of the local governments. I will empower you because the key to our progress as a nation is our barangay system),” he added.

During their recent national convention at the World Trade Center in Pasay City, LNB National President Jessica Gallegos Dy vouched for Abalos’ longstanding support for barangay officials and his initiatives during his tenure as DILG secretary.

As part of his legislative agenda, Abalos said he would advocate for the removal of value-added tax (VAT) on electricity and taxes on fuel used in power generation to lower utility costs and attract investments in rural areas.

He also vowed to introduce a comprehensive support program for Filipino farmers, including easier access to loans, reduced land tax, expanded crop insurance, and educational aid for their children.

Abalos reiterated his support for the immediate passage of the National Land Use Act and proposed amendments to the Rice Tariffication Law to empower the National Food Authority (NFA) to buy and sell rice directly from farmers and ensure stable market prices.

He likewise called for gratuity pay for job order and contract of service workers in government, many of whom have worked for years without benefits or job security.

“I promise you—I will listen, and together we will implement programs because unity is essential for the progress of our nation,” Abalos told the barangay leaders during the event.

He also stressed the importance of electing capable leaders, and urged barangay officials to carefully examine the qualifications of candidates in the upcoming elections.