Isko Moreno gives ‘peace of mind’ message to voters in Bacolod

MANILA, Philippines — Aksyon Demokratiko standard-bearer Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso has capped his four-day barnstorming of the Western Visayas region by offering voters “peace of mind” and an assurance that the minimum basic needs of the people will be provided by his administration.

“So, if you want peace of mind, available ako. Kasi ang gusto ko makaraos ang tao sa hirap ng buhay ng tao, napakahirap ng buhay ng tao. I’ve been around and maraming nawalan ng trabaho, walang makakain, may trabaho kulang naman ng sa pagkain. Ngayon tumaas na naman ‘yung krudo, kaya ako tingin ko kung paano ma-resolusyonan ‘yan, walang away, focus lang tayo sa pangunahing pangangailangan ng tao. Tao lang muna, itawid lang muna natin ang taong bayan,” Moreno said in an interview Thursday, April 28, with Bombo Radyo in Bacolod City.

Moreno said addressing ordinary Filipinos’ minimum basic needs (MBN) or what economists call the human development index (HDI) will result in an increase in the people’s quality of life, which is a scientific way of eradicating poverty. MBN includes jobs, decent housing, free health services, and quality education.

The 47-year-old incumbent mayor of Manila said he learned about MBN and HDI at the University of the Philippines’ National College on Public Administration and Governance (UP-NCPAG).

“Kaya nakita ninyo kung anong ino-offer ko na gobyerno? Simpleng gobyerno. Anong nasabi ko? Murang bilihin, murang kuryente, murang gasolina, trabaho, bahay, edukasyon, kalusugan. Yun lang. Ganun kasimple ang pangarap ko para sa mga kababayan natin. Why? These are what we call minimum basic needs or MBN. Yung mga ekonomista they call it HDI or Human Development Index,” Moreno explained.

Moreno continued: “I remember my teacher told me when you address the minimum basic needs, tumataas ang antas ng pamumuhay ng tao, yung quality of life tumataas. Simula nung 1998 hanggang ngayon, 24 years na, that’s what I’ve been doing in Manila. From being a councilor and vice mayor in my own little way. And when I became mayor, meron ng enough resources to make changes. Immediately we implemented yung mga dreams and aspirations ko sa taong bayan. So, that’s why I can honestly say to you and the staff here in Bombo and to the listeners and viewers that I get things done.”

Later Thursday evening, Moreno attended a grand campaign rally at the Bacolod Public Plaza where 15,000 Ilonggos massed up to see him in person as well as his running mate Dr. Willie Ong, Aksyon Demokratiko senatorial bets Carl Balita, Samira Gutoc and Jopet Sison, guest senatorial candidate John Castriciones of PDP-Laban and Mocha Uson of the Mothers for Change party-list.

In his speech, Moreno said it’s important for the 67.5 million registered voters to think carefully before choosing whom they want to become the next president of the country. He warned that if either the candidate from the red or the yellow/pink side wins, the ongoing conflict between them will not stop but will further heighten.

“Mga kababayan, kailangan natin mag-isip ng mabuti dahil hindi na titigil ang away ng pula at dilaw. Pansinin nyong maigi ha, real talk. Walang siraan, factual lang…Since 1986, magkaaway na ang pula at dilaw. Tuwing presidential elections laging pinag-uusapan pula at dilaw. Ang katotohanan napapansin ko, lagi sila ang pinag-uusapan. Sasabihin ng isa: Magnanakaw! Magnanakaw! Sasabihin naman nung isa: Fake! Fake! Saan kayo don?,” he said.

Moreno said if the people want to have peace of mind and are already tired of the decades-old feud between the Marcoses and the Aquinos or their supposed surrogates, they should choose him as their next president.

“Mag-ingat kayo, huwag kayong masyadong maniwala. Basta bilin na lang natin, ‘yung peace of mind. ‘Di pa huli ang lahat mga kababayan, huwag tayo magpadalos-dalos, I get things done. May awa ang Diyos,” he said.

Moreno claimed his warning came to fruition when supporters of both Vice President Leni Robredo and Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos had a shouting match inside the Powerplant Mall in Makati City on Thursday. The incident was caught on video and became viral on the social media site YouTube, earning different reactions from viewers.

“Tulad nga ng nasabi ko hindi titigil ang awayan at higantihan ng pula at dilaw/pink. Hindi po tayo papanatag at uunlad. Panahon na, mga kababayan, tuldukan na natin ang away nila sa Mayo 9. Iba naman! Walang awayan, walang higantihan. Kapakinabangan naman ng tao ang mauuna,” he said in a Facebook post.

Thursday afternoon, Moreno and the rest of Team Isko attended a town hall meeting at Binalbagan Plaza and had a courtesy call to Binalbagan Mayor Alejandro Mirasol.

Earlier in the morning, Moreno and his slate also visited St. Jude Thaddeus Parish in Bacolod City and paid a courtesy call to Mayor Evelio “Bing” Leonardia, where Moreno was mobbed by hundreds of his supporters at the Bacolod City Hall.

At the Isinggit Mo, Isko! Concert-Rally at the Bacolod Public Plaza later in the evening, entertainers that included This Band, Hotdog, Chiez Band, Cali Island, Carl Malone Montecido, and many others performed on stage to the delight of the crowd that peaked at 15,000.

“Maraming salamat, Bacolod City! Tunay nga na ikaw ang tinaguriang City of Smiles dahil sa matatamis na ngiti na sumalubong sa buong Team Isko-Doc Willie,” Moreno said.

“I love you Bacolod. Maraming, maraming salamat sa pagtungo nyo dito sa amin today. Talagang nararamdaman namin yung silent majority. Maraming salamat nag tiyaga pa kayo sa mga posters,” he said.

If he becomes president, Moreno vowed to address poverty, hunger, unemployment, inequality, and social injustice through an inclusive and equitable infrastructure development program as spelled out under his 10-point Bilis Kilos Economic Agenda.

To achieve this, Moreno will continue the Build, Build Build program of President Rodrigo Duterte, with a focus on building more public housing, more public schools, and more public hospitals across the country to create more jobs and opportunities for our people.

To further alleviate the plight of the masses and protect industries, Moreno will work closely with Congress to reduce the taxes on two of the most basic of commodities – petroleum and electricity.

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