‘Lanao del Sur is my second home’: VP Leni vows to do more for Maranaos if elected president

Vice President Leni Robredo reaffirmed her love for Lanao del Sur, which she called her “second home”, committing to bring more help for them should she be elected in the 2022 presidential race.

The mood was jovial on Robredo’s return to the city of Marawi for the “LeniWanagMarawi: Lanao Del Sur People’s Rally” for the Leni-Kiko tandem. Maranaos from all walks of life gathered and painted the streets of Marawi City pink to show their support for Robredo and her running-mate, Sen.

Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan.

“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,” VP Leni said, drawing loud cheers from the crowd.

“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 said.

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.”

In Marawi City alone, Robredo said her office, through the help of its partners, was able to bring more than P100 million worth of assistance to aid the city’s rehabilitation from the 2017 war. The Office of

the Vice President also put up Community Learning Hubs and school buildings and supported the livelihood of women weavers in Brgy. Dayawan.

Reiterating her promise to the Maranaos, Robredo vowed to speed up rehabilitation efforts and immediately set aside funds for the Marawi Compensation Bill, if elected president.

VP Leni also took the opportunity to tell the Maranaos her well wishes as they observe the first day of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan on Saturday, April 2.

Before going to the rally, Robredo met with women sewers and farmers from the Bamboo Landers Multisectoral Rural Workers Association, making her the first national official to visit the small town of Buadiposo-Buntong , according to Mayor Camalodin Dadayan.

The presidential candidate also made a quick stop at the Angat Buhay Village at the Area 7 of Brgy. Sagonsongan, also in Marawi City. Robredo’s office and its partners built the Angat Buhay Village for residents displaced by the Marawi siege in 2017. At present, the village has a total of 72 housing units, providing homes for 112 families there. [End]