Marcos says PH needs solutions, not harsh words

VICTORIAS CITY —President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. on Friday underscored that solutions are what the country needs amid complicated times and not harsh words. 

Marcos made the remark during the campaign rally of the senatorial candidates under Alyansa Para Sa Bagong Pilipinas. 

“Kailangan po natin sa napaka-komplikadong panahon na ito ay ang mga solusyon. Hindi po natin kailangan yung mga maiinit at maaanghang na salita na walang namang kinalaman para  ikabubuti ng ating lipunan, sa ikabubuti ng ating kabuhayan,” Marcos said. 

“Ang mga kandidato ng Alyansa ay kasama natin pagtataguyod ng interes at kapakanan ng bawat isang Pilipino,” he added. 

Present during the campaign rally were former Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos, Makati City Mayor Abby Binay, Senator Pia Cayetano, Senator Lito Lapid, Senator Imee Marcos, Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., former Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, Senator Francis Tolentino, former Senators Panfilo “Ping” Lacson and Manny Pacquiao, ACT-CIS party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo, and House Deputy Speaker Camille Villar.

Regional issues

During their visit to the province of Negros Occidental, the administration’s senatorial candidates vowed to amend the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998 to protect small-scale fishermen.

Tolentino, Sotto, Abalos, and Villar underscored the urgent need to revise the law to ensure the protection of small fisherfolk and marine resources. 

Sotto, principal author of the country’s Fisheries Code, emphasized the need to update the law based on current realities. 

“We should amend the [Fisheries Code]. We can amend it based on what’s happening throughout the country, not only the area of Negros,” Sotto said. 

Abalos noted that protecting the local fishing grounds should be a legislative priority. 

“Even with a Supreme Court ruling, Congress and the Senate can still enact a law to address this. Para sa akin, dapat proteksyunan natin lalo na ang mga mangroves at ang mga blue crabs—alimasag in Tagalog—dahil kung hindi, mauubos nang husto ‘yan. [The municipal waters] must be clearly delineated,” Abalos said.

Meanwhile, Pacquiao highlighted the need to protect biodiversity and promote countryside development. 

The boxing icon backed the Panay-Guimaras-Negros bridges project, citing its potential to boost economic growth and create jobs in the countryside.

“Part of economic development is improving transportation, and this bridge is a key infrastructure project that will accelerate progress. But at the same time, we must protect our environment,” he said.

Lacson said he wants to expedite the funding for the government's regional offices in the newly created Negros Island Region (NIR) for 2026.

He added he would find ways to make sure it is not left behind.

Teenage pregnancy

Meanwhile, the candidates also expressed their views on the increasing cases of teenage pregnancy in the country.

Villar said one step to prevent the rising number of teenage pregnancies is through awareness.

''To know that this is a prevalent issue and to be able to let our teenagers learn about the effects of early pregnancies and the consequences that it has on the rest of your life. So but I think with any problems facing the youths right now what we must begin with is awareness and to get rid of the stigma that sometimes people don’t like to discuss it,'' Villar said. 

For Pacquiao, the parents have a crucial role in preventing pregnancy among teenagers. 

''Para sa akin, i-encourage natin 'yung mga magulan na i-educate 'yung mga kabataan nila na ‘wag pumasok sa ganyan kasi. Turuan sila na may panginoon dahil labag talaga sa panginoon ‘yang sexual immorality habang hindi pa kayo nag-aasawa,'' he said.

This was echoed by Tulfo, saying that parents must also know how to communicate with their children.

''It should start with the family... monitoring by the parents, guidance and most of all communication,'' he said.—LDF, GMA Integrated News

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