Legarda pushes for employment, livelihood, quality health care, and environmental protection in Batangas

Three-term Senator and now Senatorial candidate Loren Legarda is in Batangas to personally meet the Batangueños and share her platform and long-time advocacies on environmental protection and climate change adaptation; employment and livelihood creation; health; among others.

Through the support and initiative of Legarda, several training programs and livelihood assistance of the government have resulted in the productivity and employability of Batangueño workers. Among these programs are the DOLE Tulong Panghanapbuhay Sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Worker (TUPAD), DOLE Pangkabuhayan, DOLE Government Internship Program (GIP) DSWD Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), TESDA Training for Work Scholarship Program (TWSP), TESDA Special Training for Employment Program (STEP), and Government Internship Program (GIP).

“These trying times have caused financial problems, especially to the marginalized sectors of our community. Due to the pandemic, some are still grappling to recover while many have lost their jobs, livelihood and only sources of income, and having programs like these will help cushion the effects of unemployment and poverty in Batangas province,” said Legarda.

Heeding the call for sustainable and resilient development, Legarda also allocated a total of 60 million funding under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for the Protection and Rehabilitation of Coastal and Marine Ecosystems within the Municipalities of Lian, Nasugbu and Calatagan. In the aftermath of Taal Volcano eruption in 2020, Legarda likewise allotted 500,000 funding for every local government of Taal, Balete, Lemery, Laurel, San Nicolas, Mataas na Kahoy, Agoncillo, Cuenca, Talisay, and Tanauan under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) of the DSWD.

During her stint as Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, she sponsored the allocation of funds under the 2018 and 2019 General Appropriations Act (GAA) of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for the construction and rehabilitation of multi-purpose buildings, community center, drainage, bridges, and farm to market roads. Legarda also provided the funds for the equipment and furniture of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Calatagan, Batangas. Through the initiative of the three-term Senator, adequate fund was allocated under the National Housing Authority (NHA) in 2018 for the relocation of informal settlers in Barangays Cuta and Sta. Clara, Batangas City .

Moreover, Legarda assured that the DOH Medical Assistance for Indigent Patients (MAIP), as well as the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) under the DSWD, are made available in all public health facilities in Batangas. She likewise allocated funds for the procurement of medical equipment for Calatagan Medicare Hospital under the 2017 and 2018 GAA.

“Bilang inyong boses at representate sa Kongreso, titiyakin ko na ang bawat Pilipino ay makakakuha ng de-kalidad, sapat, at tapat na serbisyo sa kalusugan, edukasyon, pangkabuhayan, at sustenableng kapaligiran, lalo na para sa ating mga kababayan na nasa laylayan. Makakaasa kayong kasama ninyo ako sa pagpapatupad ng ating hangarin na mapaunlad at sama-samang maibangon mula sa pandemya at pagsubok hindi lamang ang probinsya ng Batangas, pati na rin ang buong bansa, ” Legarda concluded.***