Senatorial candidate Loren Legarda at the UniTeam grand rally in Sta. Maria, Bulacan on Tuesday. Contributed photo
MANILA, Philippines — The women of Bulacan have reaped some of the benefits provided by the legislature and Loren Legarda wants to continue to protect the welfare of Bulakeñas should she get elected back in the Senate.
“Naniniwala ako sa kakahayan ng mga kababaihan na umunlad taglay ang kanilang sariling kakayanan at talento [I believe in the capabilities of our women that they can prosper through their talents],” said Legarda, who celebrated International Women’s Day during UniTeam’s campaign sortie in Bulacan Province on Tuesday.
“What we should be doing now is harnessing the skills of Filipino women because they have the ability to lead communities towards resilience and sustainable growth,” Legarda added
The former three-term senator provided several livelihood assistance and training opportunities in Bulacan to improve the productivity and employability of women and the rest of the constituency in the province.
Legarda funded under the Department of Trade and Industry Shared Service Facilities (DTI SSF) the printing, labeling and packaging services of Halal products of Islam Traders Halal Transactions Multi-Purpose Cooperative in Meycauayan; bag making of Ma-Igting na Samahan ng mga Panlipunang Negosyante ng Towerville Inc. in San Jose del Monte; and home accessories making of San Ildefonso Doormat Manufacturers Association. She also supported the participation of Mang Kiko Singkaban of Paombong in the annual National Arts and Crafts Fair of the DTI, one of the few remaining craftsmen of the decorated bamboo art often used during town fiestas in Bulacan.
Legarda has also allocated DOLE TUPAD and DOLE Government Internship Program (GIP) funds for the whole province to ease the effect of calamities and the COVID-19 Pandemic to Bulakeños.
The Antique Lone District representative has likewise allotted funds under TESDA to provide the province access to the Training for Work Scholarship Program (TWSP), and Special Training for Employment Program (STEP).
Legarda has also provided support for Bulakeños for infrastructure and renovations. She allocated funds under the Department of Education (DepEd) to construct PWD-friendly facilities and learning materials and supplies for students of special needs in Lawa Elementary School in Obando, Bulacan, under the 2019 General Appropriations Act (GAA). She also supported the funding for the construction of revetment, roads, and drainage in the province.
As an art and culture advocate, Legarda promoted adaptive reuse and protection of built heritage, and among her projects in coordination with the National Historical Commission of the Philippines is the restoration of the historic Barasoain Church in Malolos to preserve and protect a vital heritage structure to increase the level of cultural heritage awareness of the new generation.
“For a country to achieve genuine progress, we have to make sure that the gains achieved will reach all sectors, even the grassroots,” Legarda said.
“Kadalasan sa ating pagnanais na agad na umunlad ay nakakaligtaan natin ang mga probinsya kung saan karamihan sa ating mga magsasaka, mangingisda at maliliit na negosyo na may ginagampanang mahalagang tungkulin sa ekonomiya ay naiiwanang salat sa pangangailangan. Kaya patuloy ko pong isusulong na mailapit sa kasulok-sulokan ng bawat probinsya ang mga programa ng pamahalaan na makakaagapay ng ating mga kababayan tungo sa sama-samang pagbangon at pag-unlad.”
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