(Facebook photo)
MANILA—Elated by the supports of the Bicol region leaders, presidential candidate Sen. Grace Poe promised to push for projects that would create livelihood for the region if she gets elected in May 9 polls.
”Sa atin pong mga kababayan, hindi po man ako pinanganak dito sa Bicol, napakarami pong mga Bicolano ang tumutulong sa akin. Kung sakali ako’y mabibigyan ng pagkakataon bilang pangulo, dito sa Bicol, mas lalo nating palakasin ang livelihood,” Poe said in a political rally in Legaspi City.
Accompained by Albay Gov. Joel Salceda, Poe informed the huge crowd about her plans to boost the agriculture sector with Php300-billion allocation every year, particularly the free irrigation for the poor farmers.
She also intends to continue the 4Ps (pangtawid pamilyang pilipino program) or conditional cash transfer (CCT) program by adding additional “P” which stands for pangkabuhayan or livelihood.
”Pangkabuhayan lalo na sa mga kababaihan para lalo kayong makatulong sa inyong pamilya,” Poe said, drawing loud applause.
Poe reiterated her commitment to fight illegal drugs and criminality without resorting to violent approach, obviously referring to rival Rodrigo Duterte’s promise to kill criminals if necessary.
Poe and her running mate Sen. Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero stressed that the real enemy is poverty, which is the root of criminality.
“Hindi ako talaga naniniwala sa bayolenteng paraan nang pagwawakas ng mga suliranin natin,” Poe said.
“Sa ating mga kababayan, ‘yon lang naman ‘yung punto ko dito. Piliin natin kung sinong makakaahon sa atin sa kahirapan. Hindi bala ang sagot sa ating problema. Magsisisi po tayo dahil napagdaanan na natin ‘yan,” she said.
She said giving someone blanket authority to kill is a dangerous thing.
“Kailangan sa isang namumuno maging halimbawa ng pagrespeto ng proteksyon ng ating mga kababayan. Dahil kung bibigyan niya ng blanket order na bahala na, barilin ninyo kung sinong nararapat, e kung mapagkamalan tayo? Usually, ang mahihirap ang napagkakamalan,” Poe said.
In her previous visit Sorsogon, Poe and Escudero said the “Gobyernong May Puso” intends to revive the railway system from Manila to Sorsogon for east transport of goods and products from Bicol region.
Last Thursday, Poe and Escudero barnstormed Masbate and Albay days after being officially endorsed by the governors in the Bicol region which accounts for 3.12 million voters.