BATAAN Gov. Albert Garcia led provincial officials in thanking Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso for assisting the province amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

During Domagoso’s courtesy call at the Bataan Provincial Capitol on Wednesday, Garcia said the 47-year-old mayor helped the local officials in expediting the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines in the province.

“Siya po ang tumulong sa atin na magset-up ng ating cold chain facility, kaya dumating agad ang supply ng bakuna dito sa Bataan,” Garcia said.

The governor also expressed his gratitude to Domagoso for helping the province in acquiring the much-needed medicine for the treatment of COVID-19.

“Pangalawa, gusto ko rin pong samantalahin ang pagkakataong ito na iyong panahon ng pandemya na ang dami pong naghahanap ng gamot lalo na po ‘yung binili nating Remdisivir at Tocilizumab, ang hirap banggitin, ang hirap hanapin. Yung mga kababayan natin na nangangailangan ng Tocilizumab, marami pong natulong si Yorme sa ating mga kababayan,” Garcia pointed out.

The Aksyon Demokratiko presidential bet, for his part, congratulated Gov. Garcia for his outstanding work as provincial chief executive which resulted in the creation of more industries and jobs that further improved the lives of his constituents.

Moreno said if all local chief executives will focus their time and effort in public service, the problems of the national government will be lessened.

“Magaling kayo, marami kayong industriya na naitaguyod. Congratulations Gov. Albert. Magsasaka, mangingisa, planta, turismo, land development, industriya. So pagka-ganun naman lahat ng governor wala ng masyadong problema ang national government. Sa totoo lang, mas magaling ang LGU talaga,” Moreno said before provincial officials and employees.

Moreno was joined in his “Listening Tour” by his running mate Dr. Willie Ong and senatorial bets Moro civic leader and women’s rights advocate Samira Gutoc, former Quezon City councilor Jopet Sison and radio host and entrepreneur Carl Balita.

Also joining the Bataan-Zambales visits were political campaign strategist Lito Banayo and Aksyon Demokratiko party chairman Ernest Ramel.

Moreno thanked the provincial government of Bataan and its people for the warm reception he and the rest of his party received during their visit.

He said the province of Bataan will always have a special place in his heart as this is where his maternal grandparents are buried. The one who also took care of his mother, Rosario Moreno, was also from the Central Luzon province.

Moreno also said that during his youth, he previously worked in Pilar town as a farm hand in the rice fields of Barangay Landing where he earned P75 a day gathering the rice stalks preparatory to milling.

After the harvest season, Moreno would then go to Barangay Nagwaling where he works at the gravel pits for additional income.

“Kaya ang Bataan ay pangalawang bahay ko na,” said Moreno.

Moreno also said that aside from him having a special relation with the province, Manila also has a deep connection with the province as both its residents deeply suffered at the hands of Japanese soldiers during World War 2.

“Ang Bataan at ang Maynila ay may malalim na relasyon. Sapagkat dumanak ng hirap, pagod, at pasakit ang mga tagapag-tanggol ng kalayaan ng ating bansa. So, as you can see, in the middle of this hall the symbol of things that should not be done in the future. We must seek peace. Peace now a days is a very expensive word, hard to find but we must seek peace because the people will die…people will suffer in war especially the children,” explained Moreno.