On March 31, Robredo had a dialogue with the farmers at the Small Bansilon Farmers’ Association (SBFA) in Small Bansilon, Tangcal, Lanao del Norte.
The SBFA received assistance from Office of the Vice President (OVP) in setting up a virgin coconut oil facility, which Robredo turned over to the farmers in January 2020.
“[A]ng kinakailangan, mas malaking pera ‘yung i-invest ng gobyerno dito para magkaroon ng oportunidad. Kasi kung wala namang mag invest dito, walang oportunidad sa trabaho,” Robredo said in her dialogue with the farmers.
Robredo also delivered her keynote speech at the Academic Symposium on the Role of Academe, Youth, Traditional Leaders in Nation Building in Mindanao State University-Maigo, which gathered academics, sultans, datus, and student leaders of Lanao to discuss policy proposals to promote awareness in culture and history and to foster a better understanding between peoples in Mindanao, where she discussed her plan to improve the education sector in the country.
In the afternoon, Robredo and Pangilinan delivered their messages during the Maigo People’s Mini Rally at the Maigo Plaza Gymnasium, Maigo, Lanao del Norte, and the Kauswagan People’s Rally at the Longest Boardwalk, Kauswagan, this province.
Kauswagan Mayor Mayor Rommel Arnado, in his introduction of Robredo, thanked the Vice President for her assistance to the municipality’s livelihood programs.
“[‘Y]ung paghinto ng insurgency, hindi sa militarization, kundi sa pagsugpo ng poverty,” said Robredo in her message at the Kauswagan People’s Rally. The rally capped her tour of Lanao del Norte.
On Friday, April 1, Robredo visited Marawi City, Lanao del Sur with Pangilinan, where they inspected the Angat Buhay housing projects built for internally-displaced residents during the Marawi siege in 2017.
The vice president also visited the Bamboo Landers Multi-Sectoral Rural Workers Association in Barangay Manacad, Buadiposo-Buntong, Lanao del Sur.
The Bamboo Landers Multi-Sectoral Rural Workers Association was one of the beneficiaries of the OVP’s Sustainable Livelihood and Training Program wherein they turned over a livelihood subsidy worth P257,265 to the organization in February 2022 for their garments production.
During the LeniWanagMarawi: Lanao Del Sur People’s Rally at Area 6 in Barangay Sagonsongan, Marawi City, Robredo has committed to bringing more help for Maranaos should she be elected in the 2022 presidential race.
“Alam niyong lahat na nandito kung gaano ko kamahal ang Marawi. Alam niyo lahat kung gaano ko kamahal ang Lanao del Sur… Sampung beses ako pabalik-balik dito sa inyo. Ang tanong ko nga sa mga kausap ko, ‘Sino kaya makakatalo sa record ko kung gaano ako kadalas nandito sa inyo?’ Palagay ko, wala,” Leni said during her speech.
“Kaya ko ito sinasabi kasi maraming pupunta dito, liligawan kayo, sasabihin nila, ‘Mahal ko ang Marawi, mahal ko ang Lanao del Sur,’ aasikasuhin nila kayo. Pero ‘yung dapat na tinatanong ninyo sa kanila, noong wala pa bang eleksyon nasaan kayo? Noong dumadaan kayo sa matinding kahirapan lalo na noong Marawi siege, nasaan sila?” she added.
Robredo continued: “Ano ‘yung resibo ng pagmamahal namin sa inyo dito sa Marawi? Lagi kaming nandito. Na kahit napakahirap pumunta dito, napakalayo, lagi po kaming nandito.”
The presidential aspirant also vowed to speed up rehabilitation efforts and immediately set aside funds for the Marawi Compensation Bill, if elected president.
Robredo also gave her well wishes to the Maranaos as they observe the first day of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan on Saturday, April 2.