ANTIQUE — The provincial government of Antique led by Governor Rhodora Cadiao is praying for the success of Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso as he seeks the presidency in the 2022 elections.

During a courtesy call at Gov. Cadiao’s office at the provincial capitol on Tuesday, the local chief executive even addressed Moreno “Mr. President” as she welcomed him to their province.

“Welcome to the province of Antique, your hometown,” Cadiao told Moreno in the presence of other provincial officials.

“Mr. President, we are so proud of you,” Cadiao added, as she handed Moreno a gift.

Moreno, a bit surprised to what the governor said, then remarked in laughter: “Mag-dilang anghel ka sana, Gov.”

As a son of Antique, Cadiao also called on their people to support the 47-year-old Moreno in his quest to become the next president of the country.

“We are so proud of you (Moreno) and I hope you will be the next… after how many centuries? The next president of Western Visayas,” Cadiao said.

“So, Yorme is an Antiquenion, is by blood an Antiquenion, he’s ours. He’s asking for your support and let us pray for his success, okay,” she added.

Antonio Agapito Legarda Jr., brother of House Deputy Speaker and Antique Rep. Loren Legarda, also handed a bag containing items to the visiting Manila official who then had lunch with the Antique governor.

“This is the one from Inday Loren. Sabi niya, alagaan kayo dito sa Antique dahil kayo ay kasimanwa (kababayan). We are looking forward to seeing you and now it’s a reality,” AA Legarda said.

Later in the afternoon, the Aksyon Demokratiko standard bearer held a town hall meeting with market vendors, traders, businessmen in San Jose, Antique.

Joining Moreno in his visit to Antique are his running mate, Dr. Willie Ong, and senatorial bets Samira Gutoc of Marawi City, Dr. Carl Balita of Oriental Mindoro and Jopet Sison of Quezon City.

San Joaquin is the birthplace of Mayor Isko’s father, Joaquin, who in his youth went to Hamtic, Antique and later on tried his luck in Manila in the 1960s and worked as a stevedore in the ports of Manila.

In an interview with reporters, Moreno vowed to focus on the minimum basic needs of the people in Western Visayas, with emphasis on projects that will improve human development index – health, education, housing and jobs and livelihood.

The 47-year-old presidential aspirant said just like in Manila, an Isko Moreno presidency would support public education in Western Visayas by providing public school students with tablets and free bandwidth, school supplies and Covid hygiene kits. Public school teachers will also be given laptops and free bandwidth connection.

In alleviating the plight of the masses and at the same time protecting industries, Moreno said he will ask Congress to reduce the taxes of petroleum and electricity by 50 percent.

To address the perennial housing problem, he said the Moreno government will emphasize socialized housing as the new focus of the Build, Build, Build (BBB) program.

“We can think of what we want to think for the betterment of our country. But for the first two years of that six years given a chance puro social services,” Moreno said.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Marlon Purification