Promote people’s will

Among the many issues facing our country, hunger is particularly noticeable as a tragic thread that runs through socioeconomic difficulties. It demonstrates the dire demand to prioritize initiatives to heighten and enhance public health, while ensuring our fellow Filipinos have access to necessities and public services they need to experience real progress.

Real progress lies in addressing the underlying causes of hunger, such as poverty and an uneven distribution of economic opportunities and resources. Real progress lies in good governance and a responsive government that listens to the genuine will of the people.

Real progress cannot be found in railroading a proposed Charter Change that does not uphold the interests of the poor but only reflects the interests of some politicians. Moreover, real progress cannot be achieved if programs intended for the poor are used and abused for the political gain of some.

On 23 January, we participated in a Senate hearing on the reported ayuda scam issue as

“Real progress cannot be found in railroading a proposed Charter Change that does not uphold the interests of the poor.

vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Public Order. I emphasized the need for unbiased, fair, and politics-free distribution of government programs intended to uplift the poor and those in crises, particularly in light of hunger incidents across the Philippines.

The next day, as the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, we joined the Lung Center of the Philippines in Quezon City on its 42nd Anniversary and Recognition event. We also visited the Malasakit Center inside the hospital and provided meals to the patients and frontliners. Here, we also emphasized the crucial role of LCP in the implementation of the Regional Specialty Centers Act which I principally sponsored and is one of the authors in the Senate.

Among the programs this year we advocated for LCP with the support of Senate Finance Committee Chair Sonny Angara and Senior Vice Chair Pia Cayetano, include the Lung Transplant Program, Screening for Early Lung Cancer Detection and Treatment Program, and the Biobanking for Pulmonary Diseases Project. During the past administration, I also advocated for additional funding for LCP for its facilities, equipment enhancements and assistance for poor patients.

We also participated in the opening of the 2024 Kalinga Provincial Athletic Meet in Rizal town. More than 2,000 athletes from Kalinga province joined the said program together with Congressman Allen Jesse Mangaoang, Governor James Edduba, Vice Governer Jocel Baac, Rizal Mayor Karl Baac, among others.

As the Chair of the Senate Committee on Sports, we support these grassroots sports programs to promote discipline, sportsmanship and camaraderie. We also distributed balls and other forms of support. As I always say, “Get into sports, stay away from drugs to keep healthy and fit!”

We also inspected the new road in Bono-Bongat,

Rizal in Kalinga which was funded through our support.

After that, we headed straight to the province of Isabela to lead the inauguration of the new Mallig Super Health Center. We are also thankful to the local government led by Mayor Jose Philip Calderon for declaring me an “adopted son” of Mallig. After which, we inspected the public market and bridge in the town which we earlier advocated for.

We also attended the celebration of Bambanti Festival in Ilagan City together with Isabela Governor Rodito Albano, Vice Governor Bojie Dy and Mayor Josemarie Diaz. The event also showcased local products made from different towns. As one of the authors and cosponsors of Republic Act 11960, or the One Town, One Product Philippines Act, I fully support such initiatives to promote the local economy.

“We support these grassroots sports programs to promote discipline, sportsmanship and camaraderie.