(Photo courtesy of Manny Pacquiao Public Information Facebook)
MANILA – Presidential candidate Senator Manny Pacquiao will hasten the rehabilitation of Marawi City and fast-track the implementation of the compensation law for the affected residents who lost their properties due to the armed conflict if he is elected president.
At the same time, Pacquiao will boost the economy by giving equal opportunities to micro, small, and medium enterprises in the countryside.
“’Yung rehabilitasyon ng Marawi, antagal na niyan. Dapat bilisan na natin iyan. ‘Yun mga compensation para sa mga pamilya ng naapektuhan dapat mapamigay na natin at 'yung rehabilitation pabilisin pa natin para makabalik na kayo sa dati niyong pamumuhay (The rehabilitation of Marawi is long overdue. The compensation for those affected families should be given immediately so that you can go back to your normal lives),” Pacquiao said in a campaign sortie in Marawi City on Tuesday afternoon.
Republic Act 11696 or the Marawi Siege Compensation Act was signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on April 13 to provide monetary assistance to conflict-affected residents.
Task Force Bangon Marawi, in charge of rehabilitation, said it is on track to complete a substantial number of the infrastructure projects by the end of President Duterte’s term on June 30.
Permanent housing units, mosques, and four village complexes in Bangolo, East Marinaut, Dansalan, and Lumbac Madaya, all located in the city’s most affected area, have been finished while among the projects in the final stages of completion are Rizal Park, School of Living Traditions, Marawi Museum, Marawi Peace Park, the 4,000-seat Sarimanok Sports Stadium, Marawi Convention Center, and Grand Padian Market.
Pacquiao also said Metro Manila and the provinces should be given equal livelihood and job opportunities.
“Panahon na ito na guminhawa naman ang pamumuhay ng mga mahihirap (This is the time for the poor to improve their lives),” Pacquiao said. “Makikita ninyo ang comparison sa lumipas na tatlumpung taon at anim na taon sa pagserbisyo ni Manny Pacquiao (You will see the comparison between the past 30 years and the six-year-service of Manny Pacquaio).”
He reiterated his plans for free hospitalization for senior citizens, free housing for the underprivileged, and an increase in wages for Filipino nurses, particularly those deployed in the provinces.
“Itaas natin ang sahod nila (Let’s increase their salaries), minimum of PHP50,000 a month,” he said.
If he wins, Pacquiao said his administration will strongly fight corruption to allow the government to save up to PHP1 trillion annually.
“Ang tunay na nagmamahal sa inyo, nandidito lang si Manny Pacquiao dahil kay Manny Pacquiao hindi na niya kailangan ng pera kundi ang kasipagan (Manny Pacquiao truly loves you because a Manny Pacquiao doesn’t need money anymore but diligence),” he said.
The latest Pulse Asia survey conducted April 16 to 21 among 2,400 adults showed Pacquiao getting just 7 percent voters’ preference and running third behind Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (56 percent) and Vice President Leni Robredo (23 percent).
The retired eight-division world champion boxer overtook Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso (4 percent). (PNA)
