UniTeam presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. (BBM) on Thursday, Feb. 24, lauded and thanked barangay officials for the role that they are playing in responding to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
Speaking before some 1,500 village heads who attended a meeting at the Iloilo Convention Center (ICC), Marcos said if not for them, people would not feel safer in going out of their houses.
They check and report sick residents and even bring patients to the designated facilities, he said.
“Dahil sa sipag ninyo nakikita natin na dahan-dahan na po tayong lumalabas sa pandemya (Because of your diligence, we can see that we are now gradually recovering from the pandemic),” Marcos said, adding, however, that the country is still facing another challenge, which is the economic crisis due to the pandemic.
The presidential aspirant also said without the barangay officials, people on the ground would not be able to receive assistance from the government.
He said it is high time that their benefits, such as scholarship for their dependents and health insurance as provided for in the Local Government Code, be given to them.
“Sa palagay ko sa napakagandang nagawa ninyong trabaho sa krisis ng pandemya, ay dapat nating balikan yan sa Local Government Code at sasabihin natin na dapat na makuha ng buo ang benepisyo ng ating mga barangay officials (I feel that you have done enough during this crisis. So I think we need to go back to our Local Government Code and tell them that our barangay officials should receive the benefits due them,” he said.
Marcos proceeded to laying down his platform for governance, saying more needs to be done with the help of various agencies.
He mentioned the need to improve the agriculture sector, health care system, tourism and digital infrastructure, address the high price of electricity, and pursue the “Build, Build, Build” program.
After the meeting with barangay officials, the UniTeam proceeded to the Tamasak Arena in the municipality of Barotac Nuevo in Iloilo province for a grand proclamation rally.
He was joined by vice presidential aspirant Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio and their senatorial slate.PNA
