ABBY BINAY VOWS TO BRIDGE 'DISCONNECT' BETWEEN NATIONAL LAWS AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS DURING VISITS TO BATANGAS, LAGUNA LGUS
Senatorial candidate and Makati Mayor Abby Binay today vowed to inject the local government perspective into the legislation of national laws and make sure that these reflect the realities on the ground.
Binay made the statement during her visit to the City Hall of Santo Tomas in Batangas, where she was warmly welcomed by residents and local officials led by Mayor Arth Jhun Aguilar and Vice Mayor Catherine Jaurigue-Perez.
She said she was running for senator mainly because of her frustration with national laws enacted without prior consultation with local governments, resulting in poor and inefficient implementation.
“Kapag Mayor ka, nakikita mo yung mga batas na ipinapasa nila na nakaka-frustrate dahil hindi kinukonsulta yung mga local government...Hindi nila naiintindihan kung saan tayo nanggagaling,” Binay said.
The mayor cited the Solo Parent Act as one such example, as the law has imposed on local government units the burden of funding the monthly allowance for solo parents.
“May mga munisipyo at mga lungsod na hindi kaya yung pagbibigay ng allowance para sa solo parents...hindi parehas. Hindi po masyadong pinag-isipan,” she said.
Binay said that having the perspective of a local chief executive will give her the leverage to spearhead the legislation of policies that are responsive and attuned to the varying situations of local government units.
She also reiterated amendments to the Local Government Code that she will push if elected Senator, to promote the genuine empowerment of local government units in the country. These include regular salaries, GSIS and PAGIBIG coverage for barangay officials.
Binay also paid a courtesy call on Calamba City Mayor Roseller Rizal and Vice Mayor Angelito Lazaro Jr. at Calamba City Hall, where she shared fond memories of her college days at UP Los Baños. The city officials also thanked Binay for the P1-million financial assistance given by Makati to help the city recover from Typhoon Kristine.
She also reiterated her advocacies for free maintenance medicines especially for senior citizens, better education system with greater focus on the preschool level, and tax exemption of overtime pay and bonuses for better takehome pay of workers.
Next stop was at Biñan City Hall where Binay was given a warm reception by local officials led by Biñan City Mayor Walfredo “Arman” Dimaguila Jr. and Vice Mayor Angelo “Gel” Alonte.
During their meeting, the officials discussed their respective local initiatives on disaster preparedness and resilience. Biñan was among local government units that received financial assistance from Makati in the aftermath of Typhoons Kristine and Leon.
Binay is also set to visit the cities of Sta. Rosa, Cabuyao, and San Pedro in Laguna today.
Admin Roy Tomandao
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