Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas (ABP) senatorial candidates vowed on Friday to support the rapid urbanization of Antipolo City and the entire province of Rizal, and improvements in public services through legislation and stronger coordination with local government units.
During a press conference held at the start of the coalition’s April campaign swing in Antipolo City, ABP bets stressed the importance of infrastructure, planning and funding to keep up with the city’s growth and challenges such as traffic, waste management and flooding.
“Kung kailangan nila ng mga urban development… kailangan ‘yung mga infrastructure, kung kailangan ng suporta na (If they need urban developments… they need infrastructure, if they need support like) additional funding for projects, then we will support,” Erwin Tulfo said, emphasizing that the province’s proximity to Metro Manila makes it a critical area for urban development funding.
Panfilo Lacson highlighted the achievements of local government units, pointing out that the province of Rizal was recognized by the Department of Trade and Industry in 2024 as the most competitive province while Antipolo City was cited as the most business-friendly component city in the Philippines.
“Makakatulong kami kung ano ‘yung pwedeng mai-augment sa national budget para ma-speed up pa ‘yong pag-urbanize ng (We can help with what can be augmented in the national budget to speed up the urbanization of) Antipolo City,” he said.
Vicente Sotto III praised local officials for their effective leadership and good governance.
“I think the leaders of Rizal are doing very well and they’re exceptional public servants. Wala akong naririnig, walang nakakarating sa akin na complaints sa kanila. Ang nakakarating sa akin ay puro mahuhusay naman (I haven’t heard of any complaints about them reaching me… the ones that reach me are all excellent),” he said.
Benhur Abalos, meanwhile, underscored the importance of city planning and empowering local development councils.
“Alam niyo ang rapid urbanization merong problema yan. Problema sa basura, problema sa traffic, problema sa baha. Importante rito ang planning, ang (You know rapid urbanization has its problems. Problems with garbage, problems with traffic, problems with flooding. Planning is important here, the) city planning,” he said.
He and his fellow candidates pledged to support local governments by aligning national development priorities with community-identified needs.
“Ang advocacy ni Sen. Lacson, Sen. Tito Sotto, sila Erwin Tulfo… pare-pareho naman kami rito — aanuhin namin ang ating President, na kung ano ang sabihin ng local development council, susuportahan namin (The advocacies of Sen. Lacson, Sen. Tito Sotto, Erwin Tulfo… we are all the same here — we will tell our President that whatever the local development council says, we will support it),” he added. (PNA)
