PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur – Aksyon Demokratiko standard-bearer Isko Moreno Domagoso on Wednesday vowed that if elected president, he will invest in Science Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) courses and Agriculture to enable Filipino students in Zamboanga del Sur to become competitive with other countries and ensure food security.

“Well as a general rule, yung program sa edukasyon na STEM pupuhunan natin. Science Technology, Engineering and Mathematics dahil sa pag-ikot-ikot ko sa buong Pilipinas nakita ko talaga yung hirap ng mga magsasaka, talagang hirap e sila yung nagpapakain sa atin, sila yung nagbibigay sa atin ng kasiguruhan na sustainable yung… sufficient yung ating makakain at ‘di na tayo dependent sa importation,” Moreno told reporters here after his courtesy call to Zamboanga del Sur Gov. Victor Yu.

Moreno maintained that reinforcing agriculture courses in Zamboanga del Sur is very important considering that the province, like almost all of the rural provinces in the Philippines, is mostly reliant on agriculture for the bulk of its economy.

The 47-year-old presidential candidate pointed out that investing in STEM courses and adding Agriculture will ensure that college students taking the course will be better equipped with the technical know-how so they can compete with their foreign counterparts.

“Kaya yung STEM magiging STEAM. S, T, E tapos may A na plus M. A is for agriculture na ibabalik natin as part ng curriculum kung paano makapaghanap-buhay ang tao sa pagsasaka o pagtatanim,” Moreno pointed out.

Moreno said with many Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) also returning home to the country, there is also a need to reintegrate them back into the community.

“Maaaring meron sila kaunting ipon o bahay yung iba wala pa. Paano natin sila mai-integrate? Dalawang bagay yan, sila ay makapaghanap-buhay through DTI (Department of Trade and Industry) or bumalik sa pagtatanim, sa agriculture. Kailangan naman nila ng gobyerno uli’t doon, ang Department of Agriculture (DA),” explained Moreno.

After a four-day break from campaign sorties, Moreno is back again on the road, visiting Zamboanga del Sur for a series of motorcades and town hall meetings as part of Team Isko’s strategy to win voters.

Joining Moreno in the barnstorming of the province known for its heritage and interesting natural attractions are his running mate Dr. Willie Ong, Aksyon Demokratiko senatorial candidates Samira Gutoc, Carl Balita, Jopet Sison, and guest candidate John Castriciones of PDP-Laban.

Moreno and the rest of Team Isko will hold a town hall meeting at Saint Columban College Elementary Dept. on Wednesday afternoon (April 6), they will travel to Sindangan National Agricultural High School in Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte for another town hall meeting, a motorcade then a campaign rally on Sunset Boulevard.

If elected president, Moreno vowed to pursue a “Life and Livelihood” economic policy that aims to address poverty, hunger, unemployment, inequality, and social injustice through an inclusive and equitable infrastructure development program as spelled out under his 10-point “Bilis Kilos Economic Agenda”.

To achieve this, An “Isko Moreno presidency” will continue the Build, Build Build (BBB) program of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, but this time building decent public housing, modern public schools, and well-equipped, world-class hospitals across the country.

To further alleviate the plight of the masses and protect industries, Moreno will work closely with Congress to reduce the taxes on two of the most basic of commodities – petroleum and electricity.

Moreno also vowed to revive and support the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) sector through various government interventions and promote a culture of sustainable tourism by developing tourism highways and tourism circuits, among others.