Loren Legarda helps Antique reach its ‘Golden Age’

By: Dennis Gutierrez - 3 years ago

FILE PHOTO: Three-term Senator and Antique Congresswoman Loren Legarda

MANILA, Philippines — Senatorial candidate Loren Legarda has laid down her accomplishments as congresswoman of her home province, Antique.

These include programs for the agricultural resilience, natural environment, tourism and technology, integrated Rural Sustainable Development, improvement of quality of life for Antiqueños, and for the end of the vicious cycle of poverty.

” We have a lot to be proud of. We have already started so many programs. We have now a strong foundation to work very hard,” Legarda said in a statement.

Through here efforts to bring government service closer to the people, Antiqueños said they are now experiencing the province’s “Golden Age.”

Legarda said she wants to expand these accomplishments to the rest of the country as she seeks another term in the Senate.

As the representative of the Lone District of Antique, Legarda has provided support services in agriculture and fisheries, such as the rehabilitation of 7 local ports, construction of a fisherman’s wharf, and the fishery eco-tourism development complex in Tibiao.

With the national government’s help, Legarda has launched Dairy Program in her home province that boosted local milk production.

The House Deputy Speaker has likewise supported the construction of farm-to-market roads such as the humble footpath in San Remigio and the linking of the Antique ports to other islands such as the Lipata port in Culasi that harbors boats that can reach Caticlan in Aklan or Bulalacao in Occidental Mindoro. Because of ferry boats, Antique is now connected to the rest of the archipelago.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many Antiqueños were able to benefit from national government projects such as the Department of Labor and Employment-Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/ Displaced workers (DOLE-TUPAD), GIP and Pangkabuhayan, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Shared Service Facilities (SSF), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS), and the Department of Science and Technology or DOST that has provided support for micro, small, and medium enterprises.

Meanwhile, Legarda’s leadership has also helped Antiqueños to prepare for disasters. The DSWD regional evacuation center, as well as evacuation centers in each LGU, have been constructed.

Under Legarda’s term, in coordination with the Department of Education (DepEd), new classrooms are being built, facilities are being installed and upgraded, and they also provided training programs for teachers on culture mapping, leadership, and innovation.

“I am so honored and inspired to be on this journey with you. Pinili natin ang daan ng tapat na panunungkulan,” Legarda said.

“Wala sanang titiwalag. Wala sanang susuko. Babangon tayo. Lalagpasan natin ang krisis na dulot ng pandemya.”