Cayetano wants better life for Pinoys

MANILA, Philippines - Re-electionist Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano is a lawyer by profession, but his concerns are those of an economist as he focuses on improving the living conditions of Filipinos amid the country’s steadily rising economy.

Cayetano wants the country’s stronger economy to have a “trickle down effect” on the everyday lives of Filipinos. He aims to devote his senatorial bid to address the high prices of commodities, unemployment, and low income.

“There has to be a trickle down effect. We have to take advantage of our growing and stronger economy. We have to make all of these felt by the masses,” Cayetano told The STAR as he explained his PTK (Presyo, Trabaho at Kita) advocacies.

“We have been going around the country listening to ordinary Filipinos and their families talk about the issues that concern them the most: high prices, unemployment, and low income,” Cayetano noted.

“I’m very glad and grateful that in the process of listening to our people it seems we’ve also managed to win their trust and support,” he added.

Cayetano, who is running under the administration coalition Team PNoy, suggested that there should be more economic projects other than the conditional cash transfer (CCT) program.

Aside from the P40-billion CCT project of the Aquino administration, Cayetano said, a P500-million project should be allocated yearly for each of the country’s 14 regions for the purpose of providing livelihood projects in the provinces to boost the local economy.

The former three-term Taguig congressman believes such project will strengthen local economies in the grassroots level, inspire people to establish their own livelihoods, and discourage them from depending on dole-outs.

Cayetano, who was named one of the Ten Outstanding Young Men in 2010 for government and public service, also pledged to continue his fight against corruption.

“The strong message of trust from the people only strengthens my resolve to continue my crusade against corruption in order for good governance to translate to a stronger economy that is felt by all families,” he said.

To get his advocacies across to the public, the 41-year-old senator has opted for a different campaign style.

“We have been going around the country on a listening tour instead of having big rallies or sorties,” Cayetano said of his strategy, which is more in touch with the grassroots as he meets ordinary people in market places all over the country.

“It was a risk because we’re meeting small groups instead of huge crowds. But at least the survey results show that people appreciate the fact that you are personally listening to them to address their concerns,” he observed. 

“The best thing is that I have personally heard from the people not only their problems but also their proposed solutions. Together, we can address all these issues comprehensively,” he added.