MEMBERS of fisherfolk in Navotas and different sectors in Malabon expressed full backing to vice presidential candidate and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte.

The Lakas CMD and Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) vice chairperson visited Caloocan, Navotas and Malabon during the campaign sortie.

Mayor Sara met with the fisherfolk in Navotas wherein she assured appropriate measures will be put in place to resolve the sector’s economic challenges, including legislations to protect Manila Bay.

“Karamihan po sa inyong mga problema, kailangan ng pag-amyenda ng batas o kailangan ng (bagong) batas. Napag-usapan po namin ni Mayor Toby (Tiangco) na sa kanyang pagbabalik sa kongreso ay ilalagay niya sa mga bills o mga batas na ipi-presenta sa ating kongreso ang mga kailangang gawin para sa Manila Bay at para masagot ang inyong mga problema as fisherfolk dito sa Navotas,” the mayor said.

She vowed to work with Congress on how to improved the Philippine Fisheries Code to expand their fishing perimeters and in protecting Manila Bay.

Rodolfo Rondon, 59 and chair of the City Fisheries Resources Management Council, expressed his hope on Duterte’s leadership capacity in addressing fishing regulations as mandated by the Republic Act 10654 or the Amended Philippine Fisheries Code.

Rondon, who represents the Alyansa ng mga Mangingisda ng Navotas, said they wish to be allowed to operate in the fishing grounds of the bay beyond their territorial waters.

In Malabon, Mayor Sara has received all-out support as she was welcomed by members of different sectoral groups.

Alvs Matanguihan, 33, a member of the LGBT sector, lauded Sara’s leadership.

“She has a strong personality. Lahat sineserbisyuhan niya — babae, lalake, bata, matatanda, especially ang katulad naming mga LGBT,” Matanguihan said.

In Davao City, the Sara Duterte administration has established the ‘Rainbow Magnegosyo Ta Day’ (MTD) — a livelihood training and business capital assistance program for members of the LGBT community in Davao City.

Through the MTD, Duterte has helped LGBT sectors in advancing their interest hence, Matanguihan expressed hope the project is implemented in the national level.

“Ang gandang i-apply ng Rainbow MTD project sa buong bansa to start up a business, especially dito sa amin na sobrang skillful ng mga LGBT,” Matanguihan said.

Maria Ludvina Ramos, 62, and a senior citizen, has high hopes that Duterte will prioritize their sector based from the projects that Duterte was able to implement.

Mayor Sara institutionalized programs in Davao City such as providing fair pension benefits to senior citizens ages 65 and up.