Legarda to Bring More Programs to Antique When Elected Congresswoman

If elected as Congresswoman of the lone district of Antique, Senator “Inday Loren” Legarda assured that her kasimanwas will continue to feel the improvement in their lives, as what is already happening in the province.

“As Senator, I ensured that programs of government reach our province. As Congresswoman of Antique, I will make sure that all Antiqueños will feel the presence of government through efficient delivery of services to our communities. When I went around the barangays, I saw what our people need and that is what I will provide when I become Congresswoman,” said Legarda.

“I will prioritize the provision of livelihood opportunities in all the 590 barangays of the province so that all Antiqueños have source of income or additional earnings. I will continue to help our fisherfolks by providing boats and fishing gears they need and the establishment of a tuna processing facility, as well as our farmers in the upland by fixing their source of water. I will make sure that all barangays have water, which is a very basic need, and we will achieve zero open defecation status by making sure that homes have their own sanitary toilets. Aside from ensuring that we provide free education and additional allowance to students, we will also address malnutrition among our children. We will continue to improve our hospitals and rural health units, aside from providing free medical assistance and medicines. We can do all of these because we have already started and people are already feeling the positive change brought by our programs,” said Legarda.

In the past few years, Legarda was already able to uplift the lives of many Antiqueños by ensuring the implementation of government programs such as: Barangay Kabuhayan Skills Training Program (BKSTP), Training for Work Scholarship Program (TWSP), and Special Training for Employment Program (STEP), all under the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA); establishment of Community Fish Landing Centers (CFLP) and provision of boats and fishing gear for fisherfolks under the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR); scholarship programs under the Commission on Higher Education (CHED); Integrated Livelihood Program or Kabuhayan Program and Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disavantaged/Displaced (TUPAD) under the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE); livelihood support under the Department of Trade and Industry’s Shared Service Facilities (DTI-SSF); nutrition programs and technological support under the Department of Science and Technology-Empowering Communities Through Science and Technology (DOST-CEST); medical assistance programs and improvement of health facilities under the Department of Health (DOH); and the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), among others.

During a visit of Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello, he said that Antiqueños have Senator Legarda to thank for the DOLE TUPAD implementation in the province.

“Nais ko pong ipaalam sa inyo na kung hindi dahil kay Senadora Loren, walang TUPAD dito sa inyo. Ngayon ko lang nalaman na dito pala sa Antique hindi ninyo alam yang TUPAD, pinabayaan pala kayo. Mabuti at mayroon kayong nagmamahal na kababayan na si Senator Loren at nagbigyan kayo ng TUPAD,” said Bello when he visited the province in April.

Legarda said she will ensure the continuous implementation of DOLE TUPAD as well as DOLE’s Nego-Kart project (Negosyo sa Kariton), which will provide ambulant vendors with service/assistance that will enable them to increase, upgrade and/or diversify their products or services and market these to greater number of buyers or customers.

Aside from ensuring that the government’s programs reach all corners of the province, Legarda goes out of her way to bring more opportunities for Antique. She has made possible the reopening of Antique’s airport and the revival of the Philippine Airlines’ direct flights to the province. Soon, there will be FastCat services in the province. Recently, FastCat made its ceremonial Culasi-Caticlan voyage. Aside from this route, there will also be a route from Culasi to Caluya to Mindoro and Batangas.

“Antique has a strong potential for ecotourism, which is why we are ensuring that the needed infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and ports are in place. I want to sustainably harness the resources of Antique to benefit the very people of the province,” said Legarda.

Legarda also has projects for environment protection and heritage preservation such as: the Pandan Arboretum and Eco-Park, which seeks to plant endangered species of trees in order to protect biodiversity in the province; the Coastal and Marine Ecosystems Rehabilitation Program, which aims to effectively manage coastal and marine ecosystems in order to promote sustainability of ecosystem services, food security, and climate change resiliency; the protection of the province’s protected areas—Sibalom Natural Park and the Northwest Panay Peninsula Natural Park; and the Malandog River Rehabilitation and Development Project.

For cultural promotion and assistance to indigenous communities, existing programs include the Schools of Living Tradition (SLT) Assistance to Artisans, Enhanced SLT Program, establishment of weaving, natural dye and fiber processing centers, establishment of pineapple farms and fiber extraction facilities and abaca fiber production, rehabilitation of Gabaldon school buildings, establishment of Kinaray-a Center and support for programs to preserve and promote the Kinaray-a Language, and support for preservation of Antiqueño heritage and traditions like the Komedya, which is alive in many communities in Antique.

In each municipality, Legarda ensures that these basic programs are provided. She also made sure that all 18 municipalities have a multi-purpose building/evacuation center, multicab/barangay responder units, and ambulance. But she also has projects specific for each municipality because she wants to harness the strengths of each town and address the challenges particular to their communities.

In Anini-y: DOST-CEST Support to Sea Fishing and Community-Based Fish Processing; DTI-SSF on Coconut Processing; improvement of Anini-y Rural Health Unit and Polyclinic; rehabilitation of Anini-y Church where the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO) had an outreach concert in 2018; rehabilitation of the Anini-y Gabaldon school building; and the rehabilitation and improvement of Anini-y Port in Brgy. San Roque, Port in Brgy. Nato, and Port Nogas Island

In Barbaza: DOST-CEST Support to Sea Fishing and Community-Based Fish Processing; DTI-SSF on Food Processing and Packaging; improvement of Pedro L. Gindap Municipal Hospital; renovation and expansion of Barbaza Rural Health Unit and Birthing Facility; and rehabilitation/improvement of Barbaza Port

In Belison: DOST-CEST Support to Sea Fishing and Community-Based Fish Processing; DTI-SSF on Dairy Production and Processing; DTI-SSF on Food Processing for In-School Youth (Baking)-DepEd in Belison National Vocational School; expansion of Belison Rural Health Unit

In Bugasong: DOST-CEST Support to Sea Fishing and Community-Based Fish Processing; DTI-SSF on Garments and Bags Manufacturing; DTI-SSF on Food Processing for In-School Youth (Baking)-DepEd in Antique Vocational School; establishment of weaving and processing center; improvement of Bugasong Medicare Community Hospital; completion of Bugasong Rural Health Unit as a Birthing Facility; construction of revetment wall along Paliwan River

In Caluya: DOST-CEST Caluya Technohub for Seaweeds-Based 
Products and Seaweeds Processing; DTI-SSF on Seaweeds-based Products in University of Antique Caluya; DTI-SSF on Food Processing for In-School Youth (Baking)-DepEd in Caluya Vocational School; expansion of Caluya Rural Health Unit; rehabilitation and improvement of Caluya Port

In Culasi: DOST-CEST Support to Sea Fishing, Community-Based 
Fish Processing, and Complementary 
Feeding Program; DTI-SSF on Coffee Processing for Native Coffee Growers; DTI-SSF on Food Processing for In-School Youth (Baking)-DepEd in Bitadton National High School

In Hamtic: DOST-CEST Support to Sea Fishing, Support to Aquaculture Production, and Community- Based Fish Processing; DTI-SSF on Food Processing; DTI-SSF on Fruits and Vegetables Processing in University of Antique-Hamtic (College of Food Sciences); renovation of Hamtic Rural Health Unit; improvement of Hamtic Port; Malandog River Rehabilitation and Development Project

In Laua-an: DOST-CEST Support to Sea Fishing and Community-Based Fish Processing; DTI-SSF on Traditional Herbal Medicines; DTI-SSF on Food Processing for In-School Youth (Baking)-DepEd in Col. Ruperto Abellon National High School; Abaca Fiber Production under PhilFIDA; completion of Laua-an Rural Health Unit and Lying-in Clinic; concreting of Poblacion-Bo., Leon-Maybunga, and Bongbongan-Jinalinan farm-to-market roads

In Libertad: DOST-CEST Support to Sea Fishing, Support to 
Aquaculture Production, and Community-Based Fish Processing; DTI-SSF on Bariw Weaving Industry; DTI-SSF on Weaving for Ati Bukidnon Tribal Organization; DTI-SSF on Fish Processing; DTI-SSF on Food Processing for In-School Youth (Baking)-DepEd in Libertad National Vocational School; renovation/improvement of Libertad Rural Health Unit; rehabilitation/improvement of Libertad Port, Centro Weste, Poblacion

In Pandan: DOST-CEST Support to Sea Fishing, Support to Aquaculture Production, and Community-Based Fish Processing; DTI-SSF on Meat Processing; DTI-SSF on Garments and Wearable Products; DTI-SSF on Food Processing for In-School Youth (Baking)-DepEd in Pandan National Vocational School; DTI-SSF for Abaca-Buri-Bariw Weaving in Sto. Rosario Multi-Purpose Cooperative; establishment of weaving and processing center; improvement of Justice Calixto O. Zaldivar Memorial Hospital; completion of Pandan Rural Health Unit; establishment of of Pandan Arboretum; Water Filtration System; rehabilitation and improvement of Pandan Port in Jinalinan; rehabilitation of Pandan Central School Gabaldon School Building

In Patnongon: DOST-CEST Support to Sea Fishing, Community-Based 
Fish Processing, and Complementary Feeding 
Program; DTI-SSF on Cacao Processing; DTI-SSF on Animal and Livestock Feeds Production; DTI-SSF on Traditional Herbal Medicines; DTI-SSF on Weaving for Ati Bukidnon Tribal Organization; DTI-SSF on Fish Processing; DTI-SSF on Food Processing for In-School Youth (Baking)-DepEd in Aureliana National High School; establishment of weaving and processing center; stablishment of ginning and spinning facility for cotton; expansion of Patnongon Rural Health Unit

In San Jose: DOST-CEST Support to Sea Fishing and Community-Based Fish 
Processing; DTI-SSF on Food Processing and Toll Packaging Center; DTI-SSF on Food Processing for In-School Youth (Meat Processing)-DepEd in Antique National School; DTI-SSF on Food Processing for In-School Youth (Baking)-DepEd in San Pedro National High School; Abaca Fiber Production under PhilFIDA; construction of a new 6-storey 100-bed capacity at the Angel Salazar Memorial General Hospital; improvement of Angel Salazar Memorial General Hospital; improvement of Antique airport; construction of the New Legislative Building; construction of San Jose Esplanade; restoration and retrofitting of the Old Capitol for a museum and library; construction of 3-Storey NBI District Office; road widening of Bantayan-San Pedro-Cubay Road; completion of Business Park Building; construction of a Performing Arts Center; establishment of Kinaray-a language marker; conduct of PPO and Rondalla outreach concerts

In San Remigio: DOST-CEST TechnoHub on Processed Vegetables and Root Crops, and Support to Upland Agriculture; DTI-SSF on Food Processing; DTI-SSF on Farm Tourism; DTI-SSF on Flowers and Ornamentals; renovation/expansion of San Remigio Rural Health Unit

In Sebaste: DOST-CEST Support to Sea Fishing, Support 
to Aquaculture Production, and Community-Based Fish Processing; DTI-SSF on Coco-based Processing; DTI-SSF on Food Processing for In-School Youth (Baking)-DepEd in Sebaste High School; improvement of Sebaste Rural Health Unit

In Sibalom: establishment of Kinaray-a Center at the University of Antique (UA)-Sibalom; procurement and installation of transformers and generator set for UA-Sibalom; DOST-CEST TechnoHub on Rice and Grains-Based Products; DTI-SSF on Briquettes and Other Bamboo Products; DTI-SSF on Food Processing for In-School Youth (Baking)-DepEd in Pangpang National High School; improvement and expansion of Ramon Maza Sr. Memorial District Hospital; completion of upgrading and improvement of Sibalom Rural Health Unit; Sibalom Natural Park Conservation and EcoTourism Development

In Tibiao: DOST-CEST TechnoHub on Fishery and Machine 
Products, Support to Sea Fishing, Support to Aquaculture Production, Community-Based Fish Processing, Upgrading of Terra Cotta Ceramics Production, and Complementary Feeding Program; DTI-SSF on Loom weaving; DTI-SSF on Food Innovation Hub in University of Antique-TLMC; DTI-SSF on Pottery and Bricks Making; Upgrading of DTI-SSF on Salt Making; DTI-SSF on Food Processing for In-School Youth (Baking)-DepEd in Sta. Justa National High School; Weaving and Fiber Processing Center in Malabor under PhilFIDA; PPO outreach concert

In Tobias Fornier: DOST-CEST Support to Sea Fishing and Support to Aquaculture Production; DTI-SSF on Weaving for Pantad Ati Tribe Organization – Tobias Fornier; DTI-SSF on Bamboo Products; DTI-SSF on Food Processing for In-School Youth (Baking)-DepEd in Concepcion L. Cazeñas Memorial School; improvement and expansion of President Diosdado Macapagal District Hospital; completion of Birthing Facility and Clinical Laboratory of Tobias Fornier Rural Health Unit

In Valderrama: DOST-CEST         Support to Upland Agriculture and Complementary Feeding Program; DTI-SSF on Fruits and Nuts Processing; improvement of Valderrama Municipal Hospital; expansion of Valderrama Rural Health Unit; construction of Gravel Road-San Remigio-Bugo-Gen. Fullon Valderrama Road

“We have done all of these in a few years’ time and we can certainly do more in the next three years if I become the Congresswoman of Antique. I will wholeheartedly serve our kasimanwas. Their needs will always come first, and we will do everything in my power to meet them. We will unite and set aside political colors because the real enemy is poverty, lack of jobs and ignorance,” Legarda concluded.***