Bais City Mayor Karen Villanueva has unveiled her platform of family-based environmental entrepreneurship as her program for the second district once elected as representative of the second district.
Villanueva unveiled her plan during the candidates forum conducted by the Diocesan Electoral Board which was aired live over Fil Products Service TV which was also aired over various radio stations in Negros Oriental.
Villanueva said her program consists of proactive livelihood programs that are in harmony with nature. Mayor Villanueva said that the second district is endowed with nature but there is pressing poverty. “We will devote our attention and efforts to capacitate our people through livelihood programs, scientific-based agriculture or maritime projects, which are targeted interventions.”
“We should keep a portion of the national land to ensure food production capability. We have to put local farmers ahead by putting post harvest facilities and continue our soil fertility mapping, which we are doing in Bais, to increase yield,” Villanueva said.
A firm believer in education, Villanueva also said students should be encouraged to enroll in courses which are in demand. She said she aims to strengthen the Public Employment Office to advise the students which courses to take.
Villanueva also said that Bais now has 400 hectares of forests resulting from the reforestation program of the City, which started several years ago.
Bais also has a solid waste management plan. We have a sanitary landfill since 2001.
On the other hand, Cong. George Arnaiz has blamed politics for the revival of his case in connection with the Fertilizer Scam during the 2004 elections for President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
Arnaiz, who was governor of Negros Oriental at the time, was ordered by the Ombudsman last year to explain his role in the controversial purchase of equipment and other farm implements which did not go through the proper process.
Other provincial officials and employees were also charged.
Speaking in the same forum, Arnaiz there was an investigation in 2004 but since they submitted their reply last year, no charges had been filed. “My adversaries would naturally find issues against me …because they are in power,” he said.”
Arnaiz, however, said his conscience is clear. “I can look people in the eye and the people know that my governorship for nine years was clean.”
He also outlined his accomplishments as Congressman of the second district for the last six years.
Apart from bringing infrastructure projects to the second district, Arnaiz said he also authored a law, RA 10172 scrapping the need for a court hearing for those who want to correct entries in their birth certificates.
He said he has pending laws in congress which he hopes when Congress resumes sessions in June 5.
