The TROPA caravan along the national highway in Misamis Occidental on Saturday. (Photo courtesy of #Ozamiz4Leni)
ILIGAN CITY – Racquel Inte, a vendor at the Palao market here, closed her stall on Saturday and, together with other vendors, farmers and locals, joined the “pink caravan” in support of the presidential bid of Vice President Lent Robredo.
Inte and her fellow vendors said the do not mind losing a day’s income as long as they are able to freely express their sentiment.
Inte said she is hopeful that should Robredo be elected president, she would prioritize assisting market vendors who lost a stable income source due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Farmer Sam Ramos likewise joined the caravan and told the Inquirer in the vernacular that his “sacred vote would go to Robredo.”
Ramos said he believes the vice president understands their concerns, the high cost of fertilizer and transportation while farm gate prices for their harvests are low, leaving them a small margin.
Ramos added that he learned on social media that Robredo showed “heart for the farmers” when she visited Sumilao, Bukidnon last week.
Participants wait to join the ‘pink caravan’ on the side of the national highway in Iligan City. (Photo by Divina M. Suson, Inquirer Mindanao)
The caravan in Iligan is part of a nationwide simultaneous action dubbed as ‘People’s Proclamation’ of the slate for the 2022 elections headed by Robredo.
In nearby Misamis Oriental province, the caravan kicked off in Manticao town with two vehicles, growing in numbers as it passed by the towns towards Cagayan de Oro City and on to Villanueva town then back to Cagayan de Oro.
In Misamis Occidental, TROPA (Team Robredo-Pangilinan) supporters started off in Ozamiz City then motored towards the provincial capital of Oroquieta City and on to Calamba town.
From about 17 vehicles, the caravan also grew in numbers as it passed by the towns.