GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATES' FORUM. (From left to right) Vice Governor Daniel R. Fernando of the National Unity Party, Malolos City Mayor Christian 'Agila' Natividad of the Democratic Party of Filipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), and economist Jayson Ocampo, bare their plans for the province of Bulacan if they are elected in the May 13 election. The three attended the Gubernatorial Candidates' Forum organized by the Diocese of Malolos in St. Luke's Martin of Tours, in Bocaue, Bulacan on Monday (April 8, 2019). (Photo by Manny Balbin)
BOCAUE, Bulacan – Candidates vying for the gubernatorial post presented their plans and programs that could spur economic progress and development of this province in a forum here held Monday night.
During the Gubernatorial Candidates' Forum 2019 organized by the Diocese of Malolos, Vice Governor Daniel R. Fernando of the National Unity Party (NUP), Malolos City Mayor Christian “Agila” D. Natividad of the Democratic Party of Filipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) and independent candidate, economist Jayson Ocampo, discussed their planned economic measures that could provide more employment opportunities and reduce the number of poor Bulakenyos.
Fernando said the best way to create more jobs is by constantly encouraging investors to put up businesses in the province.
“New investors in the province will be given a 20 percent to 30 percent discount on business tax,” he said.
Natividad, meanwhile, said he will also focus on reducing the current 4.5 percent poverty incidence of Bulacan by not over-farming or not converting farmland for industrial use and by protecting the fisheries sector.
He said “often, we are fascinated with the brilliance of progress too".
“This progress will not be doing good in our countryside, if we do not protect our farmlands. If we do not protect the fisheries, there will be chances of floods that would cascade from Pampanga and Nueva Ecija, from Angat Dam and stuck to Manila Bay. What protection do we have? The first one to protect is our farmers,” he said.
He said this could be done through the proper subsidy for the farmers such as the provision of free machinery, fertilizer, seed, and insurance from the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC).
Natividad also noted of plans for the construction of a school in every barangay to ensure that the youth are equipped and preparing to further develop Bulacan.
“Although I am not opposed to having airports in the province, it will be six years more so it is a good idea to take care of the problems that need immediate solutions from food, agriculture, and education,” he said.
Ocampo, on the other hand, bared plans for the construction of a large port or seaport in Bulacan that would be a special trading center for marine resources.
He also wants to facilitate the export of Bulacan-made products.
Other gubernatorial aspirants, Ernesto Balite, Ermalyn del Carmen, Joel Coronel, and Teddy Natividad were a no-show in the forum.
Msgr. Pablo Legaspi, vicar general of the Diocese of Malolos, said holding of the Gubernatorial Candidates' Forum is the church's contribution to helping the Bulakenyo voters choose their candidates.
Fr. Albert Suatengco, parish priest of the St. Martin of Tours, said the forum is also a voter's education campaign to urge Bulakenyos to be wise in selecting candidates.
"If we hold our vote sacred, our choice will be the true representation of the Lord in his people,” he said. (PNA)
