Duterte-Cayetano vows to end disorder and neglect in
Mindanao, promises peace and prosperity in the region

"People wake up telling themselves, 'napakagulo naman ng buhay.' It's a constant bothering of the mind. Sobra na ang gulo at hirap na dinaranas ng tao."

This was the statement made by Vice presidential bet Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano in a forum with Radio Mindanao Network (RMN) at the Crown Regency Hotel in Makati City on Monday. The senator attended the event to represent his running mate, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, and presented their platform to address what they describe as the "continuing disorder in the country."

Cayetano said part of addressing the country's disorder is to develop Mindanao, where 13 of the 20 poorest provinces in the country are located. The senator said underdevelopment breeds disorder. He pointed to federalism to systematically address the region's decades-old problems on economic instability and armed rebellion.

"Federalism, economically, is really just dispersing the resources. Thus, on the budget side, we will allot at least P800 billion for ten years to harness the potentials of various sectors in Mindanao. On the political side, we will give the power back to the people. All the other candidates are saying, 'Trust us, and we will make the decisions for you.' Sa Dutete-Cayetano, we're saying, 'Trust us, and we will give the power to you,'" Cayetano said.

The senator also pledged to act decisively on the power crisis that has plagued several southern provinces. If elected, he said he and Duterte will transfer the Department of Energy (DOE) to Mindanao to allow the government to respond more effectively to the crisis.

Meanwhile, to improve health care services in the region, the tandem plans to establish specialty hospitals in Mindanao, similar to those located in Metro Manila.

"Yung mga taga-Visayas o Mindanao ba, hindi nagkakaroon ng heart problem, lung problem o kidney problem? Kailangan na tapusin ang kalbaryo ng mga taga-Mindanao na kailangan pang bumiyahe ng isang oras papunta sa pinakamalapit na ospital. There should be no second-class citizens with regards to health care," Cayetano stressed.

He also expressed their commitment to complete the Mindanao Railway System to help fast track the transfer of food commodities to and from key agricultural areas, and to ensure a more efficient and low-cost transport of goods throughout the country.

"Sa pagresolba ng gulo sa bansa, hindi na uubra ang pwede na o konting pagbabago. Ang kailangan ay matapang na solusyon at mabilis na aksyon para magkaroon ng tunay na pagbabago. Sa ilalim ng isang Duterte-Cayetano na pamumuno, lahat takot sa batas, pero lahat protektado ng batas," Cayetano concluded.