Why do you think the people of District Two should elect you as congressman?
GARCIA: I have something to show in the last six years. The people have seen improvements. Other congressmen only make use of what they can do out of their regular Countrywide Development Fund but the projects I brought here were much, much more than what was allocated in our district. You have to be very diligent to know where you should seek help. From 1992 to 2001, I was the chief of staff of my father. The people of the second district have seen how many projects my father has brought here. He was able to secure the fund for the 4.9 billion pesos expansion of the Davao International Airport as well as the Buhangin underpass, which cost over 100 million in 1992. He was able to put up the Agdao flyover and the Buhangin underpass during his last term. There were only two flyovers in Mindanao and both of them happened to be in the second district of Davao. This year alone, I got an 8.5 million peso worth of projects from the electrification project of the Department of Energy (DOE). Last year, it was 4.9 million pesos. They dont just give those projects to you, you have to ask. From the “Tulay ng Pangulo” program, I got four bridges, the biggest of which was the Panalum Bridge in Paquibato which cost 14.5 million pesos. The Fatima Bridge cost around 14 million. The bridge in Panacan, 7 million; the bridge in barangay San Isidro, 10 million. You have to be very resourceful to implement these projects. In 2004, I got 2 million from the DPWH for the widening of Agusan-Davao Road. In 2005, I went to the president and she gave me 10 million and we were able to widen the Panacan section. Last year, I asked again from the president, another 10 million, and widened the Ilang section. And again this year’s budget, I got 25 million for the Diversion Road especially in the area of the airport. We were able to widen that.
In 2005, I got an 8.5 million project from NIA or National Irrigation Administration and it was put up in Barangay Callawa as NIA’s pilot project, the Callawa Farm Irrigation Project. It’s the first in Mindanao. I explained to them that Callawa has the biggest areas in planting rice. Many have already converted their farms to banana but in Callawa, they have maintained a 40 has planted with rice. There only problem is that they don’t have an irrigation. When they harvested they told me that their harvest is much more than what is expected because they already have water. Im happy because the people themselves have seen that these are very successful. Im hoping that it will be repeated in other areas. The people can see that plenty of projects pour in. If you were to compare it with other districts, like that of Alan Cayetano who is from opposition, there are no releases practically. But here last year, imagine I brought 484 million and that is really a big help for the people.
DUREZA: We need change. For a very long time, the Garcias have occupied the post of first district congressman but they failed to bring in progress to our constituents. If I will be elected, I will look after first the welfare of our small constituents. We will provide livelihood programs, medical and hospitalization programs, skills training, scholarship to the youth who were not able to finish their studies so that they can find jobs. What I plan is a pangmasa program. Im going to put up a congressional office so that people with problems can go there.
APORTADERA: It’s time for change. It is time to leave behind the ways of the traditional politicians. Six years of nonsubstantive legislation. If you go over the record of the incumbent congressman, the legislation that he passed did not touch the lives of our people. They do not feel his presence. His projects were not relevant to people in the district. Roads do not affect the lives of the people. People need basic services like water, health, socialized housing, livelihood. Roads and other building projects are also potential sources of corruption.
BATUCAN: They should vote for me because there are still plenty of things I can do to our community that I havent done yet. In my barangay initiative program, we have medical health assistance for senior citizens, we have barangay wage and benefits increase for employees, road right of way for transmission of products. I will come up with a Bill List System where people, instead of the members of Congress, will have to sign to pass a bill into law. I will pass a law against political dynasty. (Grace Uddin/davaotoday.com)
