Iloilo Governor Arthur “Toto” Defensor, Jr. vowed to work with Vice President Leni Robredo and her running mate, Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, to attain food security for the nation, following his recent declaration of support for the tandem in the May 2022 national elections.
“Number one, sa MoRe ProGRes ILOILO (Movement for a Resurgent, Progressive, Globally Competitive and Resilient Iloilo) vision namin, ang objective – na sa ngayon hindi pa nga napapag-usapan, we want to pursue this with her – ang food security. Wala nang mas importante pa kaysa bigas at ulam,” Defensor said.
Defensor on October 28 declared his support for the Leni-Kiko ticket, adding his voice to the growing number of local chief executives who believe that a Robredo-Pangilinan administration will bring progress, development, and healing to the country as Filipinos try to survive the pandemic.
The province of Iloilo is aggressively pursuing food security on three fronts: food availability, economic and physical access to food, and food utilization and stability.
Robredo initiated the Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty, a feeding program in Camarines Sur when she was a representative of the province’s Third District. The program became the basis for the National Food Security Bill.
As Vice President, she launched Angat Buhay, a poverty alleviation program where food security and nutrition are one of its six key advocacy areas.
Defensor said he supports Robredo and Pangilinan because of their work ethic and sincerity. He said he saw how Robredo worked tirelessly when they were both in the House of Representatives, and she carried this work ethic as Vice President.
“Nakita naman natin kung ano ang kanyang trabaho bilang Vice President at kung ano ang pinagdaanan nya sa serbisyo at sa gobyerno, lalo noong panahon pa na nandoon sya sa Camarines at Naga,” Defensor said.
“Naniniwala tayo na magaling sya at may sinseridad. Importante sa atin yan eh. Nakikita mo sa mata ng tao yung sinseridad na she will deliver, together with Sen. Kiko, for the whole country,” Defensor said.
The governor, who is seeking re-election next year, said that an administration led by Robredo and Pangilinan will provide transparent, effective, and credible government administrative services.
As a House representative, Robredo was one of the principal authors of the Freedom of Information Law, aimed at improving government transparency.
“[Sa] pagkakilala natin kay VP Leni, naniniwala ako na halos ganitong direksyon din ang magiging direksyon ng Pilipinas kung siya and tutulungan natin,” Defensor said.