Electoral candidates running for the city of Lipa participated in the Election Forum: Harapin ang Bayan, organized by Junior Chamber International (JCI) Lipa in coordination with De La Salle Lipa (DLSL) at the Sentrum, April 8.
In her opening speech, JCI Lipa President Joyce Tapay-Katigbak encouraged the local candidates to speak with wisdom and reminded the audience to be enlightened in hopes of empowering their capability of driving the city towards a better future.
“We highly encourage our esteemed candidates to bring unique experiences and ideas that can inspire positive change in the community of Lipa. To our audience, your role is equally vital. We urge you to listen attentively [and] to exercise your right to vote with discernment,” said Katigbak.
Out of 17 aspiring city councilors, 12 of them took part in the event and highlighted their political background and principles, which was tested when they were asked whether they agree or disagree with certain community-based issues.
This segment concluded with all of the candidates agreeing to various actions such as participatory budgeting, creation of more pedestrian and cyclist-friendly infrastructures, online publication of city contracts, preservation of historical sites, and the usage of zoning regulations for a controlled commercial development.
However, there were some topics where their responses varied, such as on the local government’s engagement with the citizens and the prioritization of large industries over supporting local small and medium-sized enterprises.
On the other hand, vice mayoral candidates Councilor Mikee Morada and reelectionist Vice Mayor Camille Lopez have also showcased their competency by introducing their educational and political achievements, family history, and vision for the city.
Furthermore, in terms of the government’s ayuda policy or financial assistance for the unemployed, Lopez expressed her disagreement and mentioned that she would rather promote employment to foster fairness for the taxpayers.
“To be fair po sa ating taxpayers, it is important po na i-encourage na lang po natin ‘yung employment po, para naman po ‘yung magiging deserving po dun sa ayuda talaga ng government is ‘yung talaga pong nangangailangan,” said Lopez.
Morada also disagreed with the policy and suggested empowering the mobility of the people through certain programs, stating that the funds should be used in livelihood and educational projects.
“I don’t support the ayuda, but I support programs that will help enrich them or give them [a] chance to learn how to do livelihood. […] If we can create programs na mas makakatulong po doon, ‘yun po ay mas maganda. […] Sa education and scholarships [din] natin ilagay ‘yung ating mga pondo,” said Morada.
Despite being a lone candidate, reelectionist Mayor Eric Africa also featured the crucial changes and growth in Lipa City from the beginning of his term last 2019, some of which were the proper utilization of funds and the continuous support for the unemployed citizens.
“So no’ng 2019, when I first assumed as mayor, isinaayos agad natin ang pondo ng ating bayan. […] Binayaran din po natin ang lahat ng utang na iniwan ng nakaraang administrasyon. […] At saka po [tumulong din po tayo] sa ating mga kababayang […] wala na [pong] kakayahan na magtrabaho. Those who have less in life should have more on law,” said Africa.
When asked how his next term would be different, Africa shared that instead of changing any of the policies from his previous terms, the city needs to maintain its progressive development.
“Actually, hindi natin kailangan maging different, ang kailangan natin ay ma-sustain ‘yung progress na nangyayari po sa lungsod ng Lipa. Kung meron po tayong dapat baguhin, siguro po [kailangan po natin dalhin ang mga kababayan natin] sa iba po namang aspect, especially moral recovery and character building,” said Africa.
On the other hand, out of 4 congressional candidates, only Atty. Mar Panganiban attended the forum and emphasized the importance of fair execution of laws in improving the access to quality healthcare.
“Actually, hindi na ho kailangan ng maraming batas, marami na po tayong batas para sa healthcare concern. [Again], implementation po ang kailangan, [fair] na implementation. […] Lagi po ang aking issue diyan ay implementation at sana mabawasan ang corruption at palakasan system,” said Panganiban.
Meanwhile, in an interview with Lavoxa Online, Andrea Ysabelle Suarez, one of the attendees, referred to the absence of most congressional candidates and expressed how their presence matters in sharing their platforms to the public.
“I think they have the freedom to not attend, but for them to display that they really value participative democracy, they have to attend these events and take advantage of this in a way na mapapakita talaga nila kung ano ‘yung kaya nilang ibigay sa publiko,” said Suarez.
The election forum aimed to empower the youth’s right to suffrage, encouraging informed choices in voting for the next leaders of the city.
