Leni Robredo, vice presidential candidate of the Liberal Party, urges government to continue programs that level playing field for all sectors, especially the underprivileged.
“Ang ating pong paniwala, kung sino iyong nahihirapan, dapat iyong gobyerno tinutulungan iyan,” Robredo said during a meeting with different Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association (TODA) in Pangasinan recently.
Robredo’s statement was in response to a question regarding the possibility of reinstating the Tawid Pasada Program of the government if she wins the vice presidency.
“Ang pinaka-buod po ng demokrasya ay iyong pagbibigay ng level playing field o pantay na pagkakataon para sa lahat ng sektor,” Robredo said.
The Tawid Pasada Program was implemented by the Aquino government to ease the effect of high oil prices then to drivers of public utility jeepneys and tricycles.
“Halimbawa po sa transport, maraming pagkakataon na kaya po nagkaroon ng Tawid Pasada noon kasi parang nadehado na po iyong jeepney sector dahil sa taas ng presyo ng langis,” Robredo explained.
Before joining politics, Robredo has already worked with poor communities in Naga City by providing free legal aid and other services.
When she was elected as representative of the 3rd District of Camarnies Sur, one of Robredo’s main programs is to uplift the living condition of poor farmers.
“Tinipon namin ang mga magsasakang mabababa ang kita at pumasok pa kami sa isang convergence program kasama pa ang DSWD at UAE sa Qatar, para iyong buhos ng tulong sa kanila i-concentrate,” Robredo said.
Robredo believes that the same process can be implemented in the transport sector to alleviate the plight of drivers of utility vehicles and other workers in the said industry.