Isko Moreno bares own version of Build, Build, Build — more schools, hospitals, housing projects

Presidential aspirant and Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso, together with running mate Doc Willie Ong and the Aksyon Demokratiko senatorial slate visit the Meycauayan People’s Market in Bulacan on Friday, December 3, 2021.

MANILA, Philippines – Saying he is willing to set aside politics, Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso on Thursday vowed to build on the gains of the Duterte administration and will continue projects that are beneficial to the people should he be elected president in 2022.

“Gagawin nating lahat ang mga iyan. Bayad naman na ang mga iyan ng buwis ng taong bayan. So, bakit naman hindi natin itutuloy?” said Domagoso, who is the Aksyon Demokratiko standard bearer.

“Kaya umasa kayo na lahat ng pinagawa at ginagawa ni Pangulong Duterte eh itutuloy ko. Hindi ko ipagpapatuloy dahil sa kredito? Di naman kailangan yan,” Domagoso told Mabalacat, Pampanga local officials led by Mayor Crisostomo Garbo.

Domagoso said he would also embark on his own Build, Build, Build program to build more hospitals, housing projects, public-school buildings, businesses, and create more jobs.

“Kaya lahat ng ‘Build, Build, Build’ nya, itutuloy natin yan. Pero ako, may ‘Build, Build, Build’ din. We will extend it to include ‘Build, Build, Build’ on housing, on schools, on hospitals. Pati na rin ang Build for business and Build for jobs. Tao naman,” Domagoso pointed out.

Manila housing projects

In the two and a half years that he has been mayor of Manila, Moreno was able to construct almost simultaneously several mass housing projects which include the well-known Basecommunity, where the units have been turned over to beneficiaries in July; the soon-to-be-finished Tondominium 1 and 2 as well as Binondominium 1 and 2; and the Pedro Gil and San Sebastian Residences which are both under construction.

The housing projects are all situated in the city’s slum areas to accommodate the urban poor and informal settlers.

Healthcare facilities

The city government also undertook the construction of the 344-bed Manila COVID-19 Field Hospital at the Quirino Grandstand, which was finished in 52 days and started operating last June; the 10-story world-class Bagong Ospital ng Maynila which will be operational by December and the President Corazon C. Aquino General Hospital now being built within the Basecommunity compound.

Modern schools 

New and modern school buildings equipped computers, air conditioning units and elevators are also being built at the Rosauro Almario Elementary School in Tondo, the Dr. Carlos Albert High School in Sampaloc and the Manila Science High School along Taft Avenue.

 “Nakapagbigay tayo ng trabaho sa libo-libong tao, tapos mapapakinabangan pa ng mga mahihirap na may sakit, mga estudyante, kabataan, at higit sa lahat, magkakaroon ng matitirahang disente ang mahihirap. Mabibigyan sila ng seguridad sa buhay, at dignidad bilang mga anak ng Diyos, kapwa tao, kapwa Pilipino,” said Domagoso

Zeroing in on health, economic recovery

Shoiud he be elected president, Domagoso said the first two years of his administration will focus on health and economic recovery through his “Buhay at Kabuhayan” program. 

The presidential aspirant vowed to cushion the socio-economic impacts of the pandemic by immediately implementing a policy of tax cuts on oil and electricity once elected.

 “Nais niyo ba ng murang bilihin, ng murang gasolina? Kung palarin ako, sa tulong ng Diyos at sa tulong ninyo, ito ang una kong gagawin, babawasan natin ng 50 percent ang buwis ng petrolyo,” Moreno said in a dialogue with about 500 market vendors and members of the transport sector in Mabalacat City.

Fuel, power tax cuts 

Moreno pointed out that positive effects of the tax cut on fuel will be immediately felt by operators and drivers of PUVs and tricycles, who will now forego their demand for fare adjustment, which would be detrimental to the commuting public, mostly the poor and middle class.

“Maaano ba naman na ngayong may pandemya, maiparamdam man lang sa tao na maibsan ang kanilang gastusin sa araw-araw, mga driver lumaki naman ang kita, lumaki ang take home,” he said.

 The fuel tax cut would also bring down the cost of food production and logistics cost, thus bringing down the price of food and other basic necessities.

 At the same time, Domagoso said he will also cut taxes on electricity by 50 percent.

While the government may lose around P130 billion in revenues due to the proposed tax cuts, he said the same amount will immediately benefit the people in terms of savings – savings that would subsequently return to government as people spend more due to their stronger purchasing power.

 “Sa akin lang, palugi naman tayo ng konti, ano ba naman yung isang taon o dalawang taon,” Moreno said of the estimated revenue loss to government.

This is the second time that Domagoso, his running mate Dr. Willie Ong and Aksyon Demokratiko senatorial candidates Dr. Carl Balita, Samira Gutoc and Jopet Sison visited Pampanga. 

Last October 28, Moreno also visited the province and bared a Mini-Marshall Plan to rehabilitate micro, small and medium enterprises.

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