Recto pushes HEARTS in country's heartland

Sen. Ralph Recto pushed for his health, education, affordable food, roads, technology and shelter, or H.E.A.R.T.S. program as he went through the Miting de Avance of local Team Unity bets in the heart of the nation, the national capital region (NCR).

"The Philippine General Hospital, Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center and other Department of Health-run hospitals should be modernized to better serve the citizens," Recto started.

Recto also called for further and better implementation of the Philhealth program, saying that a quarter of the total number of beneficiaries reside in the NCR.

The senator then said that the construction of more Botika ng Barangay, that sells medicine of equal quality but for less should be hastened.

"Getting sick is a fact of life. Even the president gets sick. The pain will be less, figuratively and literally, if there is a drugstore in major corners in of the metropolis where you can readily buy lower priced medicine," he pointed out.

According to the senator, education should be given the utmost priority and that no child should be left "outside the classroom looking in".

"The sad fact is that many kids of preschool age never get the chance to step into a classroom. Also, while it is true that 11, 673 classrooms will be built, there will still be a backlog of 8,450 units and something should be done about this, especially in Metro Manila, where classroom shortage is chronic and where, reportedly, some teachers are forced to teach their students under trees or rooms made out of scrap pieces of wood," Recto stressed.

"Food, one of the basic needs of every human being should be made affordable. More farmers' markets should be established, and to assure the steady, unimpeded supply of fresh, affordable food, I urge the Philippine National Police to police their ranks to get rid of the kotong cops that mulct the biyaheros, that inevitably results to the rise of the price of farm goods," said the legislator.

"Of course, for food to arrive fresh and affordable in Metro Manila, roads should be maintained and some should be built, not only roads, but bridges and railways" Recto stressed.

The senator cited the importance of the completion of the Circumferential Road 5 to the South Luzon Expressway. Metro Rail Transit lines that will connect the metropolis to the neighboring provinces like Baclaran to Bacoor, Quezon Avenue to San Jose Del Monte are also vital for the transport both of merchandise and passengers.

"Bicycle, motorcycle and scooter lanes should also be established. Lives have been lost due to the rise in two-wheeled-vehicle-related road mishaps and further damage and loss could be prevented," Recto said.

"Besides accident prevention, the major and arterial road will be declogged and heavy flow of traffic will be lessened," explained the Batangas legislator.

Recto said that the P500-million allocation for the computerization of schools should be put to good use. Modern technology, he said, can also give our ailing law-enforcement units a boost in their crusade against crime.

The legislator also urged President Arroyo to resurrect the Bliss-type medium-rise housing condos in inner cities as part of a multi-pronged effort to reduce the housing backlog.

"When land is limited, then the only option is to build medium-rises," Recto said. "Maximizing land use would put people near their workplaces and schools, preventing long commutes that snarl traffic and use much gas."