VP bet Atienza wants land use plan to prioritize homeless, landless

Vice presidential aspirant and House Deputy Speaker Lito Atienza on Tuesday said the provisions in the proposed national land use plan should be improved  and prioritize the homeless and landless.

Interviewed on Super Radyo  dzBB’s Ikaw Na Ba, Atienza said he supports the plan but with the current provisions, it would only benefit the big developers, billionaires, and oligarchs.

“Kailangan ayusin muna nating lahat yung provision (We need to fix all the provisions first),” he said.

“Kung hindi, yang land use plan  ang makikinabang lang diyan ay yung malalaking developer at yung mga mayayaman na bilyonaryo ngayon na may kontrol ng lupa ng ating bansa,” he added.

(If not, only big developers, and rich billionaires with control on the lands in the country will benefit in land use plan)

For Atienza, the provisions in the land use plan should be perfected first.

The National Land Use Act  has been approved on the third reading by the House of Representatives in 2017. It aims to institutionalize a national land use policy to ensure a rational, holistic and just allocation, utilization, management, and development of the country's land resources.

Pro-life

Meanwhile, Atienza, who is also a  representative of Buhay Partylist, reiterated his “pro-life” stand, opposing divorce, birth control, and abortion.

“Naniniwala ako na ang buhay ng tao ay mahalaga at sagrado. Nangagaling sa Panginoong Diyos yun hindi sa tao yan, sa gobyerno, sa mga pulitiko yan. I respect life. I promote the value of life,” he said.

(I believe that life is important and sacred. It is coming from God not from man, the government, or politicians. I respect life. I promote the value of life)

Also, Atienza vowed that he and his runningmate, presidential bet Senator Manny Pacquiao, are committed to the passage of law that will control political dynasties.

Asked about the dispute in the West Philippine Sea, Atienza said the territory does not belong to the Philippines yet without a decision from the United Nations.

“Hindi pa atin yan. Yan ay pinag-aaralan ngayon, dinidinig ng United Nations. Doon tayo magharap ng ating argumento,” he said.

(It is not yet ours. The United Nations is studying, hearing this now. We should present our arguments there.)

If the UN recognizes the ownership of the Philippines, Atienza said they will make peaceful discussions with the involved countries if they get elected.

However, he noted that they will push to fight back against China if its bullying continues against the Philippines.

“Ang paraan lang para sa isang bully ay labanan ang bully (The only way to get rid of the bully is to fight back),” he said. — RSJ, GMA News