Isko Moreno says agenda is to create new jobs including temporary ones, ensure food security

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno vowed to create new jobs for the unemployed and institute policies for more sustainable food production if he wins the 2022 presidential election.

In a press conference in Oriental Mindoro on Monday, Moreno said that he will prioritize the creation of new jobs and assistance for pandemic-stricken businesses during the first two years of his term if he wins the next year’s polls.

The Manila mayor earlier said that the regularization of contractual workers will not be an immediate priority under his administration.

"Now, cross fingers. Kapag bumuti na ang buhay [When life gets better], then, let’s talk about permanency of jobs, security of jobs, the value of effort ng tao [of people],” he said. 

“For now, I guarantee you it is in our agenda. But my first agenda is to create more jobs, whether it is temporary for six months or one year,” he added.

He said that he will also continue the “Build, Build, Build” program of the current administration to create more jobs that will be generated in the building of bridges, public housing, and hospitals.

“So, it doesn’t mean two years from now, three years from now we will not discuss it. For the meantime, gusto ko trabaho, trabaho. Tatlong buwan may available, thank you. Anim na buwan, thank you. Isang taon, thank you,” he added.

[For the meantime, I want jobs, jobs. Something available for three months, thank you. Six months, thank you. One year, thank you.]

Meanwhile, Moreno underscored that he will institute policies that would cut the cost of food production for more sustainable food production to ensure food security of the country.

“Food security is the number one threat to national security pero nakasalalay tayo sa bigas sa ibang bansa [but we depend on rice from other countries], ironically,” Moreno said

If elected, the Manila mayor said he will introduce “Buhay at Kabuhayan” under his administration to cut taxes on oil and security by 50%.

He said that it would bring down the cost of food production, especially rice, and raise the income of farmers and fisherfolk to bring down the prices of basic commodities and sustain food production.

Moreno also urged Filipino farmers to plant more high value crops to meet the local demand.

“The next government should focus its resources in ensuring food security in our own country because we cannot have the same pandemic at aasa tayo na padadalhan tayo ng bigas ng ating mga inaangkatan ng bigas [and we hope that the rice will be delivered to us by other countries],” he added. — BM, GMA News