JINGGOY CHALLENGES LMP: BRING BENEFITS OF ECONOMIC GROWTH TO RURAL, POOR COMMUNITIES

"Make sure that the economic growth we have posted will trickle down to the countryside, to the far-flung communities and municipalities."

Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada issued this challenge to the officials and members of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) during the closing ceremonies and fellowship night last Wednesday evening.

The theme for this year's general assembly is "LMP: Layunin ang Matuwid na Pamahalaan at Pagkakaisa, 2012 and Beyond."

"The challenge for us, not only for the incumbent administration but more importantly for our local government units, is how to bring the blessings of growth to reach the poor, the marginalized, the disadvantaged who reside in our communities," Sen. Estrada said in a speech.

Sen. Estrada served as the National President of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines from 1998 to 2001, during his final tenure as Mayor of San Juan City.

Recently, government officials have announced an impressive growth rate in our country's gross domestic product or GDP during the third quarter of this year.

"The growth is reported to have reached about 7 percent, which I consider as remarkably high because it is higher than our past economic performance and relatively comparable with the record posted by our neighboring countries," Jinggoy asserted.

Sen. Estrada attributed this as a result of collective effort with the present administration to rebuild and reform our society from the excesses of the previous regime.

"Ang buong sambayanang Pilipino ay nakulong sa selda ng kahirapan. Ikinulong sila sa kadena ng kahirapan samantalang ang pondo ng bayan ay winawaldas. Iyong mga magbubukid na dapat tulungan, ang pera dapat para sa saka nila, ninanakaw pa. Kaya iyong mga anomalya noon parang pyramiding scam din," Sen. Estrada lamented.

Moreover, the lawmaker urged the local officials to be at the forefront and center of activities which engage people to become active participants and partners into achieving, and not just beneficiaries of, development and growth.

Lastly, Sen. Estrada urged the local legislature and councils to pass and enact laws that will be pro-poor, will bring livelihood opportunities and will protect them against exploitation and oppression.