Vows to put premium on capacity-building for the youth sector
Vice President and presidential aspirant Leni Robredo on Monday, January 17, opposed another postponement of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections, emphasizing that an election is a democratic process where the people can make their voices heard.
“Ang eleksyon kasi hindi lang itong simpleng pagluklok di ba, hindi lang siya simpleng pagluklok ng nga opisyal sa posisyon pero isa itong democratic process na pinapakinggan ‘yung boses ng lahat. Para ma-postpone ulit ito, kailangan magpasa ng panibagong batas,” Robredo said.
The question about another possible deferment of the barangay and SK elections was raised during the RizaLeni online meet-and-greet, where Robredo interacted with her supporters from Rizal province.
The event, organized by the Robredo People’s Council (RPC), gave Robredo’s supporters a chance to discuss with her the most pressing issues in Rizal.
In November last year, a lawmaker filed a House Bill seeking the postponement of the Barangay and SK elections to May 2024, citing the need for continuity in the delivery of governmental services during the pandemic.
Robredo highlighted the importance of the SK, having been one of the principal authors of the Sangguniang Kabataan Reform Law. As a congresswoman, Robredo pushed for an anti-political dynasty provision in the said law.
Robredo also said that the SK is a training ground for the country’s future leaders.
The idea of abolishing the SK has been a recurring issue because of the criticisms against it. At the forum, the Vice President said that she wants to put a premium on the youth sector by teaching them good leadership practices instead of outright abolishing the SK.
“Babalik tayo sa in the first place, bakit nagkaroon ng SK Law? Nagkaroon ng SK Law kasi gusto natin na training ground siya for future leaders. Di ba, ‘yun naman ‘yung pinakasadya? So, kung ang reklamo natin hindi marunong gumastos ng pera ‘yung ibang SK, eh di, tulungan natin,” Robredo said.
The online meet and greet gave the partner groups of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) the opportunity to share how they were able to grow and benefit from the programs of Robredo.
Lakas ng Kababaihan ng Bagong Pagasa, led by Libby Gomez, was given financial assistance and sewing machines. With these, the group was able to put up their small businesses and now has a stable bank account to support their needs.
Robredo said that her office has partnered with numerous communities in Rizal but she has mostly been silent about these initiatives. She said that public service should be motivated by outcomes and how programs benefit the people and not the attention the initiatives bring to a government official.
“Dapat ‘yung public service, hindi ‘yung atensyon ‘yung nagmo-motivate sayong gumalaw, pero dapat ‘yung nagmo-motivate sa atin gumalaw, ‘yung outcomes na nararamdaman nung ating mga partners sa buhay nila,” Robredo said.
Aside from the youth and women sectors, Robredo also vowed to strengthen support for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) which is already a priority under the OVP through its Sustainable Livelihood and Training Program.
Angat Buhay, the OVP’s flagship program to help vulnerable communities in the country, has partnered with 372 organizations as of December 2021. It has also mobilized P520 million worth of resources for 320,000 families, and 305,000 individuals in 223 communities nationwide.
Robredo vows to continue these efforts if elected President.
“Ang aasahan niyo sa akin bilang public servant, na ‘yung aking magiging pamahalaan ay nakatuon talaga sa pagsiguro na ‘yung matagal nang napapag-iwanan ay sila ‘yung binigyan ng mas malaking tulong,” Robredo said.
The RizaLeni meet and greet was attended by thousands of viewers on Facebook.
Also present at the event were Rizal Vice Governor Reynaldo “Junrey” San Juan Jr. and Provincial Board Member Dino Tanjuatco who each delivered a message of support for Robredo.
The event was hosted by entrepreneur and celebrity, Pia Magalona, and TV5 sports journalist, Justin Sulit.
