TRECE MARTIRES CITY — Senatorial candidates of the Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas on Friday laid out their job-generation strategies for Cavite province, including plans to strengthen micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), boost infrastructure, and create a more business-friendly environment.

In a press conference, former Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, a native of Cavite, underscored the importance of strengthening the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) as a backbone of economic stability.

“Lagi rin tinatanong ‘yan sa job generation, ang sagot namin is pagyamanin natin ‘yung MSMEs because ito ‘yong pinakamalaking enterprise o sector ng enterprise sa buong Pilipinas, 99.6 percent,” he said.

He also emphasized the need for government incentives and support for cottage industries, self-employment opportunities, and community-based businesses to sustain local economies.

For his part, Senator Francis “Tol” Tolentino, also a native of Cavite, highlighted the role of infrastructure projects in attracting investments and facilitating job creation.

“Alam n’yo po dito sa Cavite, consistent po ‘yung investment plan. Hindi po nababago ‘yan, tuloy-tuloy yan,” he said, pointing to the completion of the bridge linking Naic, Cavite to Mariveles, Bataan, as well as the progress on the Sangley Point International Airport.

“Kung sakaling mawawala na ‘yung ibang pabrika sa China, at malipat dito ‘yung iba, and we look forward to some microchips industry relocating in this province,” he added, noting that the province already contributes 26 percent of CALABARZON’s (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon) GDP and is well-positioned to accommodate high-value manufacturing industries.

Meanwhile, former Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III’s approach focused on government-backed agricultural procurement to stabilize prices and provide livelihood support to farmers and fisherfolk.

“Kasi ang proposal namin is for government to buy 50 percent of the output of farmers and fisherfolk, parang … institutionalized,” he explained. “Pagka nangyari ‘yon, bababa ang patong ng mga traders, bababa ang presyo pati mga consumer makikinabang. Mas maraming livelihood programs na magagawa doon.”

The former senate leader expressed confidence that such a policy would be particularly beneficial in Cavite, where agricultural communities still play a key role in the local economy.

Former Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos, meanwhile, advocated for energy sector reforms to reduce electricity costs and make the province more attractive to manufacturing firms.

“Excise tax natin sa fuel is 30 percent. Tanggalan mo ng buwis ‘yon lang purely for the power generation, bababa nang husto ang ating kuryente,” he argued.

According to Abalos, the high cost of electricity in the Philippines, which is among the most expensive in Asia, discourages businesses from setting up factories and large-scale operations.

“Kung ito makakalikot natin, matanggal natin itong tinatawag na buwis sa kuryente, malaking bagay ito for manufacturing firms na pumasok dito,” he stressed as he also called for a streamlined business permit system to improve the ease of doing business.

The other candidates of the administration-backed Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas, are Makati Mayor Abby Binay, Senator Ramos Bong Revilla, Senator Pia Cayetano, Senator Imee Marcos, Senator Lito Lapid, former Senator Manny Pacquiao, ACT-CIS Rep. Erwin Tulfo, and Deputy Speaker Camille Villar.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Ryan Ponce Pacpaco