Former PNP chief and now senatorial candidate Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar
MANILA, Philippines – An advocacy group for solo parents took to social media to encourage its followers to vote for former PNP chief and senatorial candidate Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar in the May 9 elections.
Eleazar was among the seven senatorial candidates endorsed by the National Council for Solo Parents, Inc. (NCSP) on Saturday (March 19).
The endorsement was formally announced by the group on their Facebook page which has more than 13,000 followers.
“After a meeting of the Board of Directors of the National Council for Solo Parents, we hereby endorse the candidacy for the position of senator of the following: #23 Gen. Guillermo Eleazar,” the NCSP said.
Eleazar thanked the group for their support as he vowed to include in his priorities the welfare of solo parents, especially in helping them cope up with the challenges of the pandemic.
“Nagpapasalamat po ako sa suporta na ibinigay sa akin ng National Council for Solo Parents. Saludo ako sa mga magulang na mag-isang itinataguyod ang kanilang mga anak kahit pa ang ibig sabihin nito ay pareho nilang ginagampanan ang mga tungkulin at responsibilidad ng isang ama’t ina. Lubos po ang aking respeto at paghanga sa inyo,” said Eleazar.
Livelihood opportunities
“Kaya naman nais kong suklian ang inyong pagsasakripisyo sa pamamagitan ng pagtitiyak na kayo ay magkakaroon ng sapat na livelihood opportunities kahit na kayo ay nasa bahay lang,” Eleazar added.
Eleazar said he acknowledges solo parents’ sacrifice in balancing their time between raising their children and earning a living.
“Kaya naman nais natin na palakasin ang kapasidad ng local government units para matulungan ang mga solo parents na kumita habang nasa bahay lang. Sa ganitong paraan ay maaalagaan nila ang kanilang pamilya at may source of income pa sila para itaguyod ang mag-anak sa gitna ng pandemya,” he said.
“Dapat ay mayroon ding specific na opisina o yunit sa bawat barangay na tutugon sa mga hinaing ng mga solo parents. Ang mga opisinang ito ay pwede rin magbigay ng seminar o trainings para sa mga solo parents na makakatulong sa kanila para madevelop ang kanilang skills at maaaring pagmulan ng pagtatayo ng business,” he added.
He said this proposal would entail the collaboration of the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Trade and Industry, and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.