House Deputy Speaker Benny Abante Jr. on Thursday formally kicked off his bid to win a second term as representative of the 6th legislative district of Manila with the filing of his certificate of candidacy (COC) at the Commission on Elections accompanied by members of his family.
The veteran lawmaker, who served as Minority Leader before being appointed to his current post, thanked his constituents for entrusting to him “the responsibility of representing their interests and advancing their welfare in the 18th Congress.”
While legislation is the primary duty of members of Congress, the pastor pointed out that they also have address the needs of their constituents given the hardship resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We now live in uncertain and troubling times, as we are in the middle of a crisis that has made our kababayan even more dependent on their government,” Abante said.
“Given this,” explained the solon, “it is imperative to choose leaders with track records that clearly show that they are not just willing, but capable and ready to serve their constituents.”
“Principled, proven, productive leadership and #SerbisyongWalangPinipilingPanahon––that is the essence of #SerbisyongABANTE and that is what I hope to continue if I am given another opportunity to serve the people of the 6th District of Manila.”
While legislation is the primary duty of members of Congress, the pastor pointed out that they also have address the needs of their constituents given the hardship resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Aside from the laws we author and the advocacies we champion, it is also important to extend assistance to our constituents on top of that given by the local government unit, especially given the lockdowns,” explained Abante.
For example, shared Abante, from September 2019 to April 2021, 8,351 beneficiaries in the district received various forms of financial and medical assistance totaling P95.2 million.
“Aside from the laws we author and the advocacies we champion, it is also important to extend assistance to our constituents on top of that given by the local government unit, especially given the lockdowns.”
Under the DOLE TUPAD program, 10,484 beneficiaries received assistance totaling 63 million pesos, reported the solon. Most of these, or 7,686 beneficiaries, received their aid at the height of the pandemic lockdowns, from July 2020 to June 2021.
According to Abante, “TESDA programs likewise benefited many of our constituents, with 1,156 beneficiaries receiving aid equivalent to 11.7 million pesos; under the ABANTE on Wheels Program, on the other hand, we had 30,185 beneficiaries from 139 barangays.”
Aside from these, 5,500 residents in the district who were hit by fires or were not able to work because of the COVID quarantine received food packs from the DSWD.
“Marami pang kailangan gawin at marami pa tayong gagawin para sa mga taga-Maynila. Kaya sana po sa darating na eleksyon, #KayBennyPaRin ang 6th District ng Maynila.”
