Sectoral groups and supporters anticipate Loren’s win

SECTORAL GROUPS AND SUPPORTERS EAGERLY ANTICIPATE THE VICTORY OF THE PHILIPPINES’S FIRST EVER GREEN VICE PRESIDENT LOREN LEGARDA, AND PLEDGE THEIR CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF LOREN’S PLATFORM.
Loren is the only vice-presidential candidate who has transcended partisan politics and united various sectors of the society to finish first in the vice-presidential race. Loren’s win, they say, would be the victory of environmentalists, farmers & fishers, women, health workers, the youth, senior citizens and the urban poor, the masses who threw their support for her and the platform she intends to implement.
A Green VP with the heart for agriculture
In a statement by the National Federation of Community-based Forest Management, “It’s about time we elect a Green VP. Climate change is really here, and we’re suffering from its wrath, from the El Nino phenomenon we now experience to the floods brought by Ondoy and Pepeng last year. All of these events highlight the need to protect and conserve our environment, and to urgently implement measures that prepare us for the next disaster. We look forward to cooperating with and supporting our Green VP in these programs, and more.”
Tubig Kanlungan shared the same enthusiasm over Loren’s victory, adding that they can’t wait to put forward programs that promote sustainable livelihood systems, and environmental health and education.
Farmers, fishers and indigenous peoples are likewise looking forward to a new Green VP. Sectoral partylists Pamamalakaya, Katribu and Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) rally behind Loren for her platform on the environment, which includes helping farmers and fishers adapt to climate change, and conserving ancestral lands.
According to KMP’s secretary general Danilo Ramos they want the next vice president ti be someone who is sensitive to the plight of farmers and fishers. “Nagpapasalamat kami’t nanalo si Loren Legarda,dahil bilang bise-presidente ay mas lalo niya nang matataguyod ang kapakanan naming mga magsasaka’t mangingisda. Kaisa namin si Loren sa pagsulong ng mga programa para sa mga magsasaka, lalung-lalo na sa pagtulong sa min laban sa climate change.”
Other farmers’ an fishers’ groups that support Loren’s campaign include Maralitang Mangingisda ng Maloban at Navotas, Anakpawis, Binhian na Timog Cotabato (Bintico) and Allah Valley Irrigators Association (South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat).
Katribu Partylist’s Beverly Longid, on the other hand, said that Loren’s victory would be a step forward for indigenous peoples. “Kaisa namin si Loren sa kanyang plataporma upang mabigyan kami ng tunay na representasyon sa gobyerno at sa pagdedesisyon sa mga bagay na nakakaapekto sa aming pamumuhay. Kasama niya kami sa pagsulong ng mga programang maka-masa’t makakalikasan, lalung-lalo na sa pagpapanatili ng aming ancestral lands.
Loren is the only vice presidential candidate carrying the issue of the environment as part of her platform.
A mother, a nurturer
For Loren’s women supporters, her victory would be the victory of every Filipina. Gabriela Women’s Party first nominee Luzviminda Ilagan vouched their support for Loren’s programs on the protection and advancement of women and children’s rights and welfare.
“Madadala nya ang pagkalinga ng isang ina sa pagpapatakbo ng gobyerno. Kaisa niya kami sa patuloy na pagsulong sa karapatan ng mga kababaihan at pagsasawakas ng karahasan laban sa mga kababaihan at sa kanilang mga anak,” said Ilagan.
Women’s groups TESDA Women’s Center Alumni Association and Local Women’s Org-NCR also threw their support for Loren for her programs that empower women and provide them with more opportunities.
Health workers, on the other hand, seek a vice president who has a proven track record on improving access to quality health care.
According to Dr. Rey Melchor F. Santos, President of the Philippine Medical Association, “As a senator, Loren has prioritized prevention and early detection of conditions that put Filipinos’ health at risk. She has always worked for the increase of appropriations for health and health services. We look forward to more progress in our health systems now that Loren is the vice president.”
According to the Philippine Nurses Association, “we’re glad Loren pushed through despite the black propaganda thrown at her, that allegedly she will have nurses jailed etc. We are with her in pushing forward with her true health agenda, which is greater access to quality health care.”
The National Federation of Barangay Health Workers, through a statement, said, “she has always championed the welfare of barangay health workers through her Barangay Health Workers’ benefits bill, and her term as vice president would surely be favorable for healthcare in the barangays.”
Other health organizations that back Loren are the Integrated Midwives Association of the Philippines, Association of Municipal Health Officers of the Philippines, Institute of Health Policy Development Studies of UP NIH Manila, Philippine Hospital Association, Batangas Regional Medical Center, and the Eastern Visayas Medical Center.
Loren is the only woman to run for vice-president during this campaign, and has helped pass pro-women laws such as the Magna Carta of Women, the Anti-Violence Against Women and Children Act, Anti-Human Trafficking Act, Women and Children Crisis Survivors Assistance and Protection Act, the Women Empowerment Act and the Women Empowerment in Enterprise Act.
An advocate of healthcare for all Filipinos, Loren has authored the Food and Drug Administration Act of 2009, Universal Newborn Hearing Screening and Intervention Act, and the Philippine Ear Research Institute Act.
Role model for the youth
Kabataan Partylist Representative Mong Palatino is solid behind Loren, who is part of the dream slate the youth organization has announced earlier. “Kaisa namin si Loren sa pagpapaunlad ng kapakanan ng kabataang Pilipino. Patuloy namin siyang susuportahan sa ikabubuti ng kalidad ng edukasyon sa atin mga eskwelahan at sa pagbibigay ng produktibong kabuhayan at trabaho.”
Engr. Raegan Say, spokesperson of Kabataang Loren, said that “it’s high time that our vice president is someone the youth can look up to, who can serve as an ideal role model. She exemplifies the traits that the Filipino youth seek – nationalism, compassion for the poor and needy, intelligence and active environmentalism. We look forward to supporting her term, especially in her youth-related agenda.”
Tonchi Tinio, national chair of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers, are confident the black propaganda against Loren has not injured her bid for the vice presidency. “We will continue to back Loren’s programs that advance the welfare of teachers and students, and improve the quality of education in the Philippines,” said Tinio.
The College Editors Guild of the Philippines national president Vijae Alquisola on the other hand said they will continue to support her campaign towards upholding campus press freedom. “We continue to unite with Loren’s platform, especially in upholding campus press freedom and protecting the welfare and interests of our fellow students.”
Esperanza Garcia, president of the Philippine Climate Youth Movement (PCYM), said “we need a vice-president who is a climate hero. We hope that more Filipino youth will take up the environment as an advocacy and be climate heroes as well.”
Kabataan Partylist is the umbrella organization of several national student organizations, including the National Union of Students of the Philippines (NUSP), Student Christian Movement of the Philippines (SCMP), League of Filipino Students, ANAKBAYAN, Kabataang Artista para sa Tunay na Kalayaan (KARATULA), and Youth ACT Now! (Youth for Truth and Accountability Now).
Other youth organizations that support Loren include the Bohol Alliance of Student Councils and the Tropang Loren Youth Movement.
Everyone’s favorite apo
The Federation of Senior Citizens Association of the Philippines said in a statement that they look at Loren like a favorite apo (grandchild). “Loren is like a dear grandchild to us. She has always been there for us, and has supported laws and programs that promote the welfare of senior citizens. We are confident that the Expanded Senior Citizen’s Act, which she authored when she was senator, will be implemented effectively.”
The Cebu Provincial Federation of Senior Citizens Inc. said that they are with Loren towards victory.
Champion of the masses
Fortunato Yabut of Ang Masa Tungo sa Bagong Anyo ng Bansa (MASA-BANSA) said they are looking forward to Loren’s win because it is an excellent opportunity to execute the pro-poor programs that made them back Loren’s candidacy.
“She has consistently advocated more employment opportunities and assistance for the urban poor. We saw that in the laws she has authored, and now we’re excited to see how she will implement these advocacies when she becomes our vice president.”
The Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines Inc (FEJODAP)’s President Zenaida Maranan even imitated Sarah Geronimo’s campaign pitch, “Loren ikaw lamang ang aming bise-presidente.”
Members of the Federation of Pasay City Tricycle Operators and Drivers Associations (FEPACTODA) are grateful for Loren’s participation in the consultation meetings about oil deregulation.
A ‘Bai a Labi’ Vice President
The Filipino Muslim Council for Peace and Development pledged their continued support for Loren Legarda’s platform of peace and prosperity in Mindanao. “Loren recognizes that the development agenda and the peace efforts in Mindanao go hand in hand. We’re glad she’s now the vice president.”
Other organizations in Mindanao that has supported Loren’s campaign include Kalumbayan, Bansag, Ranaw Alliance, Olayoka, and Tau Gamma Phi – Muslim members.