No One Gets Left Behind In Economic Growth

Bangon Pilipinas senatorial candidate Bro. Eddie Villanueva signed a covenant on Sunday with urban poor groups vowing to champion their cause by giving them a larger role in the country’s economic development.

In simple ceremonies in Smokey Mountain in Manila, Villanueva, who is presenting himself as an alternative candidate, pledged his support for the urban poor sector as he signs a Covenant of Unity with urban poor leaders. He emphasized that once he gets elected as senator, he will sponsor legislation to make them the backbone for an inclusive economic growth in the country.

“With the recent strengthening of the economy, no one should be left behind,” Villanueva declared. “Bangon Pilipinas is committed to an inclusive growth that strengthens the economics for the fringes – or ekonomiya ng sagigilid. We will concentrate our legislative agenda on industrial development based on agricultural modernization and manufacturing.”

Villanueva said he would also support local entrepreneurship led by the masses. In particular, he said he would take his queue from the Thailand micro-entrepreneurship model with the creation of “people’s banks” where micro-entrepreneurs can take out loans without collateral as start-up capital.

“This model will open up opportunities for the poor and marginalized. We will make this part of our priority legislation,” Villanueva said.

He also said education will be a cornerstone to economic growth in the fringes. “Education should be free for the poorest of the poor from pre-school to college. The government must provide its citizens with opportunities for advancement. Our focus will not only be to produce skilled laborers and technicians but engineers, scientists and knowledge workers who will fuel industrial development as well.”

The covenant will be signed between Villanueva and 106 urban poor leaders. Part of the covenant reads: “Kami, mga lider ng sector ng maralitang taga-lungsod sa buong Metro Manila at Bro. Eddie Villanueva ng Bangon Pilipinas, ay nagpapahayag at lumalagda sa isang ‘Kasunduan ng Pagkakaisa at Pagtutulungan’ upang isulong at ipagtanggol ang interes mga karapatan, kapakanan at kagalingan ng buong sector ng ‘maralitang taga-lungsod.’”

The covenant will bind Bangon Pilipinas to support a number of important issues related to the urban poor that includes: relocation away from danger zones, no demolition without proper relocation, building communities with basic services like health and education provided by the government, livelihood programs, additional budget for shelter financing and active participation in governance.

Villanueva thanked the groups for their support in his leadership. “I am very humbled by the faith they have placed in me. As true servant-leaders, we must strive to work for the betterment of those who have less in my life.”