THE Aquino administration failed to extend assistance to the millions of poor Filipinos and poverty remains a problem particularly in Mindanao, Vice President Jejomar Binay said Tuesday.
He vowed to put up a regional office in Malacañang to deliver help quickly to the people of Mindanao once he is elected president in this year’s elections.
He told a crowd of 20,000 he will address the problem of poverty by providing jobs and building infrastructure in Mindanao.
“I was asked what was the real problem of the country and I said poverty is the number one problem,” Binay said.
“I’ve been asked to rate this government and I gave it a failing mark. Why? Because they never extended any help.”
Binay also said he will be a hands-on president and will personally oversee the developments in regions that have seen little progress under the Aquino administration.
Binay visited the Cogon, Agora and Carmen markets to meet with supporters before resuming his motorcade around Cagayan de Oro.
He was accompanied by UNA senatorial bets former Special Action Force director Getulio Napeñas Jr., labor lawyer Allan Montaño and broadcaster Rey Langit.
He visited wounded Army soldiers at the Camp Navarro General Hospital in Zamboanga City recently.
The soldiers had clashed with the Abu Sayyaf group in Tipo-Tipo, Basilan, on April 9 that left 18 soldiers dead and 50 wounded.
Binay had previously expressed sympathy for the families of those killed. He added that the incident was a reminder that the government should address poverty, the root cause of the lack of peace in the region.
But Binay said there should be no compromises with terrorist groups like the Abu Sayyaf as the government must deal with them decisively.