Alan: A Duterte-Cayetano government will protect women, eradicate poverty

"Contrary to the black propaganda pervading as of late, women will not be oppressed under a Duterte-Cayetano administration. Instead, you will be heard, taken care of, and protected."

This was the promise made by vice presidential candidate and Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano to the women's groups he met with in Lapu-Lapu, Cebu on April 26 (Tuesday), as part of the Duterte-Cayetano "Ronda-Serye" listening tour.

"Davao and Taguig are our Exhibits A and B when it comes to women's rights and welfare," said Cayetano.

The senator cited the progressive gender programs in both Taguig and Davao City, where the former has an established Women and Juvenile Crisis Center that aids women and children who are victims of violence, while the latter is the first city in the country to implement a Gender Development Code.

He said that he and his running mate, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo "Rody" Duterte, will elevate these policies to the national level in order to protect and advance the interests of women.

Cayetano also had an informal dialogue with the urban poor of the area to personally listen to their woes.

To address poverty, with the aim of eradicating it, Cayetano proposed an expanded and improved Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) which, aside from a health grant of P500 monthly and an education grant of P300, will offer a livelihood grant, zero billing in public hospitals, and one sack of rice every month.

"Through our bold solutions and swift action, we will end the daily struggles of the people, whichever form these struggles may take," said Cayetano. "Where others can only offer promises, Mayor Duterte and I will just do it. We will make things happen for the people."