Rex Gatchalian vows improved education, public housing in 2022 House comeback

MANILA, Philippines — Serving as Valenzuela City’s mayor for eight years now, Rex Gatchalian seeks to secure a seat in the House of Representatives in 2022 as he promises to improve the education system and address public housing, among others.

“I intend to go back to Congress because after spending eight years and next year, nine years as local chief executive of the city, I realized there are things that we can still legislate to make Valenzuelanos’ or Filipinos’ lives better,” Gatchalian told INQside Look that aired Thursday.

According to Gatchalian, his time as Valenzuela mayor has allowed him to be on the ground and see what else could be improved in his community.

“Eight years ago, when I started in Congress, my first two stints there, I didn’t have the local experience that I have right now and sitting as chief executive, as I said, gave me insights as to what can still be improved,” Gatchalian said.

“Alam naman natin pagka mayor ka (We all know that if you are a mayor), you’re literally 24/7, and hand-to-hand contact with the constituent is tighter. You get to see the rigorous of daily life and you also get to see the rigorous of daily government,” he added.

With his observations, Gatchalian laid out his plans.

He said that he is planning to empower the local school board by making it more representative.

Gatchalian likewise wants to revisit the creation of the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council fund as there is no component for personnel services.

He also wanted to re-examine the fire code in relation to the building code, lamenting the local government units (LGUs) are being called out when blazes occur.

Noting that Valenzuela is a pioneer in public housing, Gatchalian says he will make it a priority for LGUs.

Gatchalian also wanted to mandate the interoperable and interconnected national framework for digitalization for ease of doing business for LGUs.

Gatchalian filed his certificate of candidacy on October 1, together with his brother Representative Wes Gatchalian. They are eyeing to switch posts in next year’s polls.

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/MUF