CARMEN, DAVAO DEL NORTE—Senatorial candidates of the administration-backed Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas assured voters they would address Mindanao’s long-standing underdevelopment despite substantial government funding over the years.

In a press conference, former Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III pointed out that Mindanao has received large budgets but has not seen proportional economic growth.

“Alam namin ‘yung problema at alam namin kung paano gagawin. Isa sa pinakamalaking problema, with due respect to some of the officials na matitino naman, pero tignan ninyo ang budget ng mga nakaraan—kasama na BARMM (Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao), kasama na lahat ‘yan—ang laki ng pondo na napupunta sa Mindanao kaya nakakapagtaka na hindi ganoon katindi ang pag-asenso,” he said.

Sotto then urged voters to hold local leaders accountable.

“Alam namin ‘yun so itong Alyansa definitely isa ‘yun sa mga i-a-address namin at kayo rin, ‘yung mga leader na inilalagay ninyo sa Mindanao. Ang laki ng pondong napupunta sa kanila, nasa inyo rin ‘yon. Bukod sa amin, nasa inyo rin ang solusyon,” he stressed.

House Deputy Majority Leader and former Social Welfare Secretary Erwin Tulfo echoed Sotto’s point, saying Mindanao is not being neglected but more must be done.

“Totoo po ‘yun hindi naman po pinababayaan ang Mindanao. Bawat congressional district may ina-allocate pong pondo depende sa sina-submit na NEP (National Expenditure Program),” Tulfo said.

He acknowledged Mindanao as a Duterte stronghold, but said Alyansa’s presence signals a stronger commitment from the administration.

“All the more, since may nagsabi nga kanina balwarte po ng Pangulong Duterte ito. We are sure … all the more kailangang buhusan ng proyekto, pagtuunan ng pansin,” Tulfo said.

Tulfo vowed to push for more infrastructure projects in Mindanao if elected.

“I personally will talk to the President, siguro kami pong lahat, at sa awa ng Diyos kapag nakaupo po sa Senado, sisiguraduhin po namin na marami pong proyekto ang bababa sa Mindanao,” he assured.

Former Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos cited the need to revise the Local Government Code of 1991, which limits the ability of local officials to fund projects.

“Dalawa po ang klase ng pondo—isang pang-national at isang pang-lokal—pero nakita natin malaki ang depekto kaya kung minsan apektado ‘yong mamamayan,” he pointed out.

Abalos cited the lack of provincial hospitals, school facilities, and road projects, which local governments struggle to fund.

“Nakalagay sa libro (Local Government Code) na ang gagawa ng provincial hospital ay ang gobernador, pero hindi lahat ng probinsya mayaman kaya dapat pumasok na ang DOH (Department of Health), ang national government,” he said.

Abalos vowed to revise the law to ensure seamless funding for local projects.

“Isa sa una kong gagawin, rerepasuhin ko ‘yang Local Government Code para maganda ang pagbaba ng pondo,” he said.

Senator Francis “Tol” Tolentino also countered claims that Mindanao is deprived of funding, citing major budget approvals for the region.

“‘Yung P351 billion plus na prinopose ng Regional Development Council ng Region XI, halos lahat po ‘yun ay approved,” he noted. “‘Yung P94 billion para sa Bangsamoro, approved din po ‘yun for 2025.”

Also included in the administration’s Senate slate are Makati City Mayor Abigail Binay, Senator Pia Cayetano, former Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, Senator Lito Lapid, Senator Imee Marcos, former Senator Manny Pacquiao, Senator Ramon Bong Revilla Jr., and Deputy Speaker Camille Villar.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Ryan Ponce Pacpaco