Moreno to raise funds for projects by selling non-performing gov't assets

DAGUPAN CITY, Pangasinan — Manila Mayor Isko Moreno said on Friday that if elected president, he plans to generate funding for projects by selling non-performing government assets.

“Ibebenta ko yun. Let the private sector develop it, create more jobs, create more development and [let] the government gain financially to support our expenditures and plans and programs,” he told reporters.

(I will sell them. Let the private sector develop it, create more jobs, create more development, and let the government gain financially to support our expenditures and plans and programs.)

In the event that the government decides to decommission the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Moreno proposed a hypothetical scenario in which investors establish a "green space" and development projects there.

“Fair assessment namin. In terms of land value per square meter, mag generate siya ng trillions,” he said.

(There will be a fair assessment. In terms of land value per square meter, this will generate trillions of pesos.)

Moreno pointed out that Clark Airport already exists, and the New Manila International Airport in Bulacan is under construction.

Agriculture

Moreno said in a statement that one of his first acts as president will be to issue guidelines on the strict importation of agricultural products, allowing local producers to market their goods first.

He also plans to clamp down on smuggling of agricultural products.

“Basta yang mga smuggler, yung mga importer na 'yan, sasawatin ko as a matter of protection [for] our farmers. Importation should be a buffer, not the main reason for us to feed our people,” he said.

(As a matter of protection for our farmers, I will go after smugglers. Importation should be a buffer, not the main reason for us to feed our people.)

Moreno added that his administration will lower the cost of agricultural production.

He said he would also buy the surplus produce of farmers "at the right price."

“We will arrest and address this bad situation of neglect,” Moreno said. — VBL, GMA News