Leni pushes for ‘laylayanomics’
If President Duterte has Dutertenomics, Vice President Leni Robredo has laylayanomics.
Speaking during the launch of the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) in Pasay City on Friday, Robredo – who campaigns for those in the fringes of society or laylayan – lauded the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) for pushing for inclusivity in its programs.
“What impressed me most is the obvious effort to create inclusivity and focus on the last, the least and the lost. These are those who, in traditional economics, will have to wait for the last trickle of development to taste the rewards of a growing economy,” Robredo said on the PDP 2017-2022.
“As you can probably tell, the kind of economics that gives us hope is what I call ‘laylayanomics.’ In my view, those in the fringes of society deserve more of our effort and time than any other member of our society,” she added.
The Vice President praised NEDA and the government’s economic team for anchoring the plan on the long-term vision of providing a better life for Filipinos.
A former housing secretary who resigned after Duterte barred her from Cabinet meetings, Robredo said she has spent her time as Vice President visiting those who live in the farthest communities in the country.
“As you discuss macroeconomic numbers and development strategies today, let me also add my voice to yours by telling you of a different kind of narrative,” she said, retelling some of the stories of those she met in her so-called laylayan visits.
“Together, I believe that our combined narratives will make all of us even more inspired to work with more urgency and more commitment,” Robredo said. “There
is value in personally going to them, no matter how inconvenient; in listening to them, no matter how messy consultations can be; in empowering them, no matter how they might prefer dole outs and saviors sometimes, instead of a chance to make their own contribution to growth.”
The Vice President stressed the need to ensure that the plan will be fully implemented.
“Such a plan as this will never change lives on the ground if our implementing agencies are not able to work together, work fast and work with flexibility,” Robredo said.
“We need leadership to create an effective convergence strategy. This way, everybody is focused on the same metrics and results, taking out fluff, political noise and other distractions. Poverty will not take care of itself; we need to actively fight it by working together,” she added.
Robredo lobbied specifically for the agriculture and fisheries sectors, saying providing support to farmers and fishermen can greatly address poverty in the country.