Article by:
Che Palicte
KIDAPAWAN, Cotabato - Former Gov. Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza is seeking a fresh term as governor in this province as she filed her certificate of candidacy (COC) at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) office here on Wednesday.
She said if she wins, she will strengthen the provincial government's coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) response to recover from the global pandemic.
“We need to bounce back [from the pandemic] by taking part in good governance with transparency, accountability, and clear responsibility. We will help our province get back on its feet,” Mendoza said at a press briefing.
She also underscored the role of the various sectors to succeed in the fight against Covid-19, saying they are not only suffering due to the pandemic but also from the challenges of recent earthquakes that hit the province.
“A pro-active approach is needed. Especially now that we are in dire need of vaccines. We need to provide vaccines and not rely on the national government’s allocation. If the private sector can buy, so can we,” she added.
Mendoza emphasized the need to strengthen health protocols to combat the disease.
“We will try that despite the challenges of the election because of the current pandemic, we will see to it that we will not be a carrier of the infection when we do the rounds,” she added.
She said she would focus on government programs for agriculture, infrastructure, investment in human capital, youth empowerment, strengthening culture, tourism and sports, and peace and order.
“The pandemic stopped us, and our direction was temporarily diverted. To this day we are still groping. Many lives were lost while others continue to mourn. We need to act so that this depressing situation can be alleviated and changed,” she added. (PNA)
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