SunStar Cebu’s Beyond the Ballot 2025 goes live this Tuesday, April 22, 2025, featuring Atty. Regal Oliva, congressional candidate for the Lone District of Mandaue City, as she shares his vision, platforms, and plans for inclusive and transparent governance.
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00:00Good afternoon, everyone. Good afternoon, Sabu. Welcome to Sansar Cebu's Beyond the Ballot
00:20Interview Series 2025. I'm Mildred Galarpe. And I'm DJ Moises. As we approach the 2025
00:27midterm elections, this program offers voters an in-depth look at the candidates vying for the
00:35congressional seat in Mandawi City through a series of one-on-one interviews. Each episode
00:41will feature an interview. The first 30 minutes, we will get to know the candidates, their advocacies,
00:46their plans, their visions. The remaining time, they will answer the five core questions in two
00:52minutes and 30 seconds. To give you a better understanding of how these will unfold,
00:57let's take a look at the mechanics.
00:59Hello, viewers. Welcome to Sansar Cebu's Beyond the Ballot series. This program is divided into two
01:08segments, the candidate's profile and the five core questions. Here are the mechanics. For candidate
01:14profile, each candidate will be interviewed for 30 minutes, during which they will discuss their
01:20past work, advocacies, and reasons for running. For five core questions, each candidate will have
01:27two minute and 30 seconds to answer five key questions. This time limit ensures equal opportunity
01:33for all candidates while keeping responses concise and focused. Now, let's head back to the studio.
01:44Of the two congressional candidates in Mandawi City, only one has accepted our invitation.
01:49Here with us today is Attorney Regal Oliva. Good afternoon, Attorney. Good afternoon and good afternoon to all the viewers of your amiable and very well-followed program in Sunstar.
02:14Okay, thank you. Attorney, you have a question. So, people will know. So, who is Attorney Regal Oliva?
02:23I don't know. I don't know her. Okay. Regal Oliva for me.
02:44Okay, who is Regal Oliva? Regal Oliva is a former treasurer of Mandawi City. She is a lawyer. I go with the pronoun of she and her. I grew up in a very dynamic family. My father was a banker and my mom is also a city treasurer of a different local government unit. And my sister also works in a bank. So, actually, our family is more on into finances and taking
03:14care into finances. But Regal Oliva is also more into the arts. My passion really is there. It's just that for me, I was destined. It could have led me to where I am now. But really, my passion is into the arts, painting, theater, anything that is of arts.
03:38Okay. You've been a city treasurer for Mandawi City for 11 years?
03:4316. Oh, 16.
03:4411 years as I was appointed city treasurer. But I was also acting city treasurer before that. So, 16 years.
03:53So, what moved you this time to consider serving Mandawi City at a different capacity?
04:04Oh, I was surprised if it was a big problem.
04:08Maybe we can improve Mandawi City for the better. And maybe I can take on into better responsibilities, bigger obligations for the city.
04:26And also, I'm free from family obligations. Okay na ko. So, I can serve my constituents in Mandawi City well through legislative actions.
04:39And as a lawyer, abogado mag-gida, passionate po ko when it comes to laws.
04:45And there are things that you see. Nga yung mga loopholes ang balaod na gusto din ni mong amindahan. Especially when you're an advocate of something.
04:54Kaniya, attorney, 16 years is 16 years. 16 na ginat siya. Di na ni mong ma-shave-shave.
05:03In that 16 years, what milestones ni mong magamit if elected as representative of the Lone District of Mandawi?
05:13Basically, Kanimang City Treasurer is a very diverse position in government. Why? Because finances magug ka.
05:22You actually funnel appropriations and fund requirements for all government offices.
05:29So, di ka lang yun. You cannot put yourself in a box by only raising the revenues of Mandawi City.
05:35You also have to put your shoes and your expertise into the different departments of the city.
05:43Kaniya, kung di na ni mong huna-hunaon, di ka makibalokong wisely.
05:47Tagaan ba ni ni mong pundo ang City Veterinarian's Office?
05:50Tagaan ba ni mo pundo ang General Services Office?
05:53So, basically, you study also the functions of each office in the locality as a City Treasurer.
06:02So, mas diverse o well-versed po ko sa different offices.
06:09So, actually, dako kayo siya nga role, kayo ng family, namagod siya ka sa local governments.
06:17You don't need to run for mayor or councillor to run for kanang congress.
06:23Kaya ang imong experience as City Treasurer, tinuud na, mura ka, ikaw ang mama ba?
06:28Nga, kanin akong kindergarten tagaan ba na akong same nga alawan sa akong college?
06:32So, ka na siya nga inana nga, kanang discipline, dako kayo siya o tabang when you go to congress.
06:42Kaya ba wang ka nga, sus, kaning fans nga inani, kanang kinahanglan ni ni-improve kay labaw ni yung nagkinahanglan.
06:49Your familiarity to local governments, to local governance is really an edge when you go to congress.
06:56And, not only that, as we say, mangod, kanin magong local government is a microcosm of the whole, no?
07:03Sa national government.
07:05Importante po d'ka ay yung na mahibawgid ta on how to appropriate funds for national agencies.
07:11Naibawgid ta yung 2025, na yung mga giziruhan nga budget, na na po yung mga agencies, na importante po d'ka ayun ta.
07:17I'm talking about malasakit centers.
07:20I'm talking about PhilHealth State Insurance, no?
07:26Walay budget for 2025, and this could have helped so many people.
07:31So, in fairness, akong pagka-treasurer, I would also be able to study the different departments of the national government
07:40and maybe push for reforms in Congress because actually the power of purse is in Congress.
07:48Wala dilik sa executive branch.
07:51Given your experience now, which we highlighted earlier, what are certain gaps, which I think a portion of that you've already shared,
08:02which you think are happening, and then you can fill, should you be given the chance to be, to have a congressional seat?
08:13Gaps? By gaps, you mean?
08:16Legislative gaps or even the needs?
08:20This is for the city of Mandawi or for the national government?
08:22Can be both.
08:23Okay. For the city of Mandawi, basically, one of the biggest things that we need is infrastructure on transportation,
08:31especially for traffic mitigation. And also, what we can address this on is housing and urban planning.
08:40Why? Because when you have a city like Mandawi, wherein ang Iahang land area is very small,
08:48pero ang population is highly dense, no?
08:51Correct.
08:51Ang traffic, yun mo expect yung gaog taas-taas.
08:56Why? Because also, during daytime, the population of Mandawi City doubles.
09:01Because most of the industries are in Mandawi City.
09:05So, imagina ang nagpuyo pa din, plus pag yun sa mga napag yun kay manrabaho, grabe yun ang traffic.
09:11So, we must address both.
09:13Why am I talking about addressing housing and traffic management?
09:18If we can have housing built in communities nearer their areas, nearer their place of work,
09:26nearer their place of study, then we can actually prevent traffic.
09:29I'm talking about building more condominium because we have already launched two buildings in Mandawi City,
09:35housing buildings. We call it the Tipolo Residences.
09:38And we have proven that this is very worthy because the people who live in the house,
09:44they don't really have to take in transportation.
09:49And the schools of the children are also very near.
09:52So, walking distance na tanan.
09:54So, if we can have churches built near housing villages and housing communities,
10:03then actually we can have a better traffic system.
10:07Because you can have built in other countries.
10:10In the U.S., right?
10:10There are different states.
10:12They build on communities before they allow people to live.
10:17So, this is like community living system.
10:20So, we must do that in Mandawi City or else we will be suffering the traffic, congestion,
10:26in a very, very long time.
10:28And basically, if we just address the two, then we are also addressing education.
10:35We're also addressing other social services because we're talking about hospitals to be there.
10:40Health services should also be available for everyone.
10:43Schools should be built in that area, not only for elementary and high school,
10:47but also for tertiary students.
10:49We also encourage more investments in the area because we can provide labor for the establishments that will be investing in that area.
11:01So, actually, it will be a modern vision.
11:06And I'm very happy that Jonas Cortes and I share the same vision for Mandawi City.
11:13And so, if the mayor and the congressman can work harmoniously together,
11:18then we can expect a very vibrant, progressive city in Mandawi.
11:24And that is what is happening now.
11:36Diba?
11:36Because DPWH is not even coordinating with Mandawi City's local government.
11:41They put in a project without coordinating.
11:44And mauna akong magbaha.
11:46We kind of like, they blame each other.
11:49And that's a very bad cycle.
11:52If we keep on blaming the national government, the national government blames the local government,
11:56this will not be a healthy environment to live in.
12:00Kinisha, attorney, this is not just, this problem is not just for Mandawi City.
12:05Not at all.
12:05But it happens to all LGUs.
12:08The national government, yes, we're very thankful they're putting projects in our local government unit.
12:13But Murabag, there's no coordination with the LGUs.
12:16Same as it was, I remember when we had an interview with Mayor Aligado,
12:20and it's just for the local government, it's just for the local government.
12:22It's just for the local government.
12:22And then, when people complain, they do not complain to DDPWH, they complain to the mayor.
12:29To the local government, yes.
12:29To the local government.
12:30So, if given a seat in Congress, how will you address this alignment problem?
12:37Yeah, that is why we need to institutionalize these kind of things.
12:41First, we institutionalize the infrastructure development of national government with the local government.
12:46I'm saying that the local government be given more autonomy.
12:50Mas gako silang autonomy power when it comes to the implementation of infrastructure.
12:55Number two, local government should also be given more autonomy on health services.
12:59Dili na kailangan ang mga pubri magliniya pas opisinas congressman para mga ay garanti letter.
13:05We have to stop this practice of depth of gratitude to this system because it will promote graft and corruption at a very early age for our communities.
13:20That will be a very bad thing.
13:22If we continue this, then wala.
13:24Wala.
13:24Wala.
13:24Kapadulungan ang Pilipinas.
13:26Kung pilipin na padrino system.
13:27Yeah, kanang-san ba, nganong ipa-feel man ka nga, indebted ka sa person, nga imo, di man naiyahang personal nga kwarta.
13:35I agree.
13:36That's from the taxes.
13:37Kwarta man na sa government.
13:37You know, we've been receiving a lot of claims, complaints.
13:40Like, for example, there was one cancer patient.
13:43Naglinya siya to sa iyang congressman for one, almost one day.
13:47Only pag hapit na sila, maabot, giingnan sila.
13:50Kanang hapon-hapon, nagingnan sila nga, di pa muabot ang congressman ka ron.
13:54Ang ugma pa, na masakito na gani ang tao.
13:57And then, in and about, why do we have to beg?
13:59I hope you can do something about that when, you know, you'll be one of the congressmen in Congress.
14:05Ako, I understand congressmen because these are also politicians.
14:10But, you know, we really have to stop this one.
14:13This practice is promoting too much corruption in our country.
14:17And dependency.
14:18Ngamayra man siya, pero mag-inani mangod, abin ninyo gwalay corruption din.
14:22It's graft, actually.
14:23Kanang inyong pautangon o buot ang usak ka tao just for political gains, which is really, for me, evil in a sense.
14:35The good thing about this one is because you're running with your fresh perspective.
14:40At the same time, we also have people who are quite wary also about motivations of certain politicians.
14:48So, in your case, how do you intend to really bring real change if given this opportunity?
14:57I don't think that I can actually work overnight for change.
15:00Because this would man na, no?
15:02It's a system.
15:03Correct.
15:03You have to, can you imagine a system that has been built for hundreds of years and then you kind of like put in something that can actually, kind of ma-feel ba si mga tao ba?
15:15But you can only make people feel if, if we're talking about international scale.
15:20Di ma na pwede nga, imura yung pa-feel si Mandawe City.
15:23But as a congressman, while you represent the city, you also, you will also pass laws that will affect all the people, all Filipino people nationwide.
15:34And one of the things that you, that we really need to look into and sever ties with some institutions is the SOGI bill.
15:47Because while this is very controversial every time, but we've been fighting for SOGI for two decades already.
15:54But we have to understand that there are people, there are sectors who belong to the minority group, but then there are still people, there are still Filipinos who need to be protected, who does not need discrimination anymore, and who must feel accepted and included in our communities and society.
16:19Okay, DJ, si Attorney Oliva, was the first transgender woman elected president sa Cebu Lady Lawyers Association, SELA.
16:31So, kuha ni siya ka ng milestone ni siya sa SELA, milestone ni sa mga kababahinan.
16:38Women empowerment.
16:39Yes.
16:40Anyway, okay.
16:42Attorney, do you have diverse interests?
16:44See, like you, as you mentioned earlier, you're really into passion, passion sa arts and theater.
16:52Kanisya nga part mo, like sometimes may nung tag-arts mo, like ah, parang naman s mga dato.
16:56But how will you, but dagang mong gugkig mga kanang, kanang, kanang talent, ang atong, not just Mandaway, but you know, the Filipinos, dagang kitag creative kay ta.
17:06Unsa ka yung mga legislative, yung mong legislative agenda ng kaning arts mo, trickle down, not to good sa, dili siya exclusive, but inclusive to everybody?
17:19You know, so unang mga good ang DepEd, no?
17:21Is very diverse.
17:23Kay Dex, gina siya, di ba?
17:24Oh, Dex.
17:25Department of Education and Culture.
17:26Culture and Sports.
17:28Sports and...
17:29So, ang culture gini na naginit a part of the arts.
17:32And I think DepEd because the term education should also encapsulate everything na.
17:37And one of these things, and one I'm worried and very worried about in this 2025 budget,
17:43is that mas dako ang budget sa DPWH compared to education.
17:48And education, constitutionally, it states that the biggest bulk of the appropriations in the budget of every year
17:55must go to education rather than other departments.
18:00And that is why, kung minggi tag-arts, giyod, it should be developed early age.
18:05Di ba na, pwede nga ka nang mukalit lang kag-develop din.
18:08Ang mag-arts ko ron.
18:09Oh, correct.
18:09Di ba, there are things nga, muta naaw lang ka social media, and saka sayun na ni Animo, no?
18:14Buhata ko nun ninyo din, ha, no?
18:16Buhata ko ninyo din na siya.
18:17Sa'yo na kay Ano Ano, tanaw, tanaw ka nipa, huwag kayo ba, huwag kayo ba, huwag kayo ito kasimanagitrabaho.
18:22Exactly.
18:22Gano'y mga abstract art.
18:23May ngundi ka, sus, kaya mo na na ako.
18:26And then, once you get into the canvas and try to do that, even just side by side,
18:31and do the abstract, you can't do it.
18:34Because it's really art.
18:35It really comes from passion.
18:36And when it comes to painting, other arts theater,
18:41for singers and songs and the playing of instruments, these are talents.
18:48And talents are God-given gifts.
18:50Wat nigi, ingundi, ingundi, skills, no?
18:52Kwa siya gi-appoint.
18:53Correct.
18:54Di mo guna skills.
18:55Lain mo guna skills mo.
18:56Tukag-tesda, mag-gatun kag-welding, pwede.
18:58Mag-gatun kag-panahit, pwede na siya.
19:02Pero, saunin mo pag-design sa dress, how it will come out.
19:07And that needs an artistic perspective.
19:11And that is why it's important that we hone the Filipino art.
19:15Kaya, lisud kaay yung, may ngunong maguntagod niya, dinatura ni siya.
19:18Because it is the rich people who are supporting it.
19:21Because the poor people, maluoy lang yun ta, I'm sure they love how it looks like.
19:28But they cannot afford it.
19:29If you have that grade school pa ka, nanakay, passion for dressmaking or anything.
19:37Anakay, di itang mabuhi, anak.
19:39Hala, pagkuhan din to, pag BPO or anything.
19:42Kanang, I think, sa time na siya were in our parents, nilipakay kasabot unsan na siya.
19:49Yes.
19:49And I would like to go beyond that.
19:52Go beyond that perception.
19:55In Western countries, if you're an artist, you are well-paid.
19:59You can actually put in a very decent lifestyle.
20:05So, we must change the perspective.
20:07Kung artist ka, kailangan manatili ka, or di-argo ka kutub, puberi-argo ka.
20:12That's a very sad, it's a sad reality.
20:16But I think we can pass a law supporting the people in the arts.
20:22And then pass more, give them more financial incentives, maybe tax breaks also for the people who are working in the entertainment and art industry.
20:33You've mentioned also about the importance of education.
20:38Oh, yes.
20:38And I'm just curious, what are your thoughts about recent findings by the World Bank na kaning mga 10-year-olds na to are actually struggling with reading and comprehension for texts that are even appropriate for their age.
21:00How can we do something about that also in Congress?
21:03Are there any legislative measures that we can also pass to augment that?
21:08You know, na magutay learning gap.
21:12Especially this happened during the pandemic.
21:15For two years, the learning gap of children has murasyag ni slow ang development.
21:21So can you imagine two years, if you're a 10-year-old, you will be thinking like an 8-year-old.
21:26Mauna siyang ato ang study.
21:28And we have to, kailangan ginasi ang aksyonanda yun by the Department of Education.
21:35But the thing was, for the two years na wag yunin ang skwela ang mga bata, I cannot call them lazy, ha?
21:42But naanad sila sa walay klase.
21:46And if we augment more hours to put in for people, mag-stress na po ni sila.
21:53Mental health.
21:55And nowadays, mental health is a big issue.
21:57It's a big word, big issue na siya.
22:00But we have to pass laws on, not only for DepEd to make programs, but pass laws to institutionalize and fund more mathematics class.
22:15Catch-up, I think catch-up programs.
22:17Correct.
22:18More reading class.
22:18I would respect DepEd's program.
22:22Maayo ba yag yun kaayo?
22:23But I have to also accept the reality that not only the students are behind, the teachers are also behind.
22:33Sad, no?
22:33Yeah.
22:34Because while we have access to so many information through the internet, we're not using it properly.
22:43We're more on chismis rather than really on research.
22:49And the Department of Education must value research and development among teachers.
22:56And maybe we have to pass laws that can incentivize teachers who do research and development.
23:03True, true.
23:04Importante yung mag-ukayo, na once a teacher hones herself or himself into research and development,
23:10she or he can actually pass it on to students on the interest of research.
23:15So, kung maging na-ana na lang yun ang atuang cycle, nanindot na kayo mo research ang bata,
23:20then that child would know how to study.
23:24And then in the future, how to develop so many things.
23:28And we can have a robust science and technology society that I'm really, really looking forward to.
23:35Ang pandemic, mangod, ang nabright, diling isudyanti ang mama.
23:38Lagi.
23:39Kung may tig-anser sa koan.
23:41Modules.
23:42Modules.
23:43Katawanan lagi kayo.
23:44I went to the Tower of Pisa ba in Italy.
23:47And then, naghiwit naman siya.
23:49Mayungundin sila na ko, mauning resulta sa mga engineering students nga nag-online classes.
23:56Wala naka-intention.
23:59Wala na na roon.
24:00Kayilisod na jugayo ba ang koan ka roon.
24:02We're not talking about children.
24:04Now we're even talking about college students.
24:07The whole.
24:08So, kailangan siya i-mitigate da yun immediately.
24:11Or we cannot take it slowly.
24:13And ang kaning, naman yung mga program yun ang DepEd that I respect.
24:19But even the teachers are, naglisod po sila ko pa.
24:22They can only give what they have.
24:24Yes.
24:24And I hope that we can train more teachers.
24:26Develop the teachers.
24:28Kanang training, sakto na.
24:30I-incentivize ni mo nga.
24:31Dili said siya, iunahan na to siya ang training by hierarchy kay mas una siya ni mo.
24:35It should be, kailangan mo nabasad na, kanang challenge within the, kanang, kanang organization sa, nanagya po yung politics ba?
24:45So, hopefully everybody para inclusive.
24:48Kanagod, it's inclusive to everybody.
24:50Okay.
24:51So, anita sa gamayin, lighter sides.
24:52Yes, yes, yes.
24:53Serious, kailangan mo.
24:54Intenso kayo.
24:54Intenso kayo.
24:55I-internso kayo.
24:56I-internso kayo.
24:57But we want to know more, attorney Regal, Oliva.
25:00Sige, attorney.
25:02Do you, what do you do when you distress?
25:05Do you, do you have, most people, most politicians are really singers.
25:10I don't know with you, but what is your go-to karaoke song?
25:14Ah, karaoke song.
25:15Yes.
25:16Do you have that?
25:17I know somebody, delete lang song.
25:18I will survive.
25:19Oh.
25:21Yes, I will survive.
25:23I love that song.
25:24First, I was afraid.
25:26See, sample that.
25:27I was petrified.
25:30Magani ka-exerps na to, katungo sa playlist yun.
25:33I think I know who you're talking about.
25:36Okay.
25:38So, you're obviously gifted, no?
25:41And at the same time, you're also well-rounded as a public servant.
25:47But aside from the two, no?
25:50If you're not into public service or politics, what would you be doing right now?
25:57I will be a housewife.
25:58And that is, for me, the noblest profession of all.
26:04Of course.
26:04You work more than eight hours.
26:06Yes, exactly.
26:07And when you really devote your time for the family, you clean the house.
26:11You know, I love house chores.
26:13I just love it, Yud.
26:15I like cleaning the house.
26:17I like washing the dishes.
26:19That is something that I get.
26:21If you say distressing, I distress it too there.
26:26Especially gardening.
26:27I just love it.
26:30That's why if given the chance to just be paid to be a housewife, I will be.
26:37You will do it full time.
26:38I will be the most beautiful housewife in the world.
26:43You know, if you can live comfortably, being just in the house, I will do that the rest of my life.
26:51You know, you can just paint and then after that, you can do garden.
27:09The things you really want, just really want to do.
27:13Exactly.
27:13But, you know, I don't have time.
27:17So, with all this, like, you know, you're campaigning right now.
27:22How do you balance things?
27:24You have a daughter?
27:25I have a daughter.
27:26She's 18.
27:27And that's why she doesn't want to see me anymore.
27:30You know, 18-year-olds.
27:32Strong, independent.
27:33Yeah.
27:33Adolescent children.
27:36I understand.
27:37When I was 18, I don't like to see my parents.
27:40That's why I will just see you once a week.
27:43Or if you want to see me, see me.
27:46But the busy schedule in campaigning, this is something very new to me because I've never been a politician in my life.
27:53And not in my, not in our family, was a politician.
27:58So, it's difficult.
28:03It's exhaustive.
28:04And I have high respects to politicians.
28:09You cannot just discount the fact that the effort built to campaign and to, you know, get votes is a very difficult task.
28:23And it's gone.
28:24I'm also curious, what is your, so what's your daughter's role or stand now that you're also running?
28:32Oh my goodness.
28:33And your family as well, no?
28:35My family is the most supportive.
28:36My mom is, grabe, if you, I think, I think some of you might have known my mom.
28:42This is very funny.
28:43She's, she's the one who really convinced me to run for Congress.
28:46And when I asked her,
28:47It's true.
28:51She's retired.
28:52She's retired already.
28:53But despite her retirement, she still go out and even help Cebu City collect uncollected taxes.
29:00Yes.
29:02So, she's retired.
29:03She's retired.
29:03She's retired.
29:04She's retired.
29:04She's retired.
29:05She's retired.
29:06She's retired as well.
29:07They're not retired.
29:09They're not retired as well.
29:10And they're not retired as well.
29:11Oh, yes.
29:12They're not retired.
29:12It's our passion.
29:14We end the day talking and laughing about the whole day.
29:17And it's just so distressing.
29:21You know, if you can solve a problem, you don't have a feeling in your family.
29:28And yes, because I'm my child's mom.
29:35And I have to give it to her for raising us this way.
29:39We were very strong. We were very independent as children.
29:43And that's why I'm trying to raise my child that way.
29:45But if you say what's the reaction of my daughter when I entered politics,
29:50she is very happy for me, but she doesn't like the limelight.
29:55Totally opposite with Regal Oliva, she abhors it.
30:00She doesn't like that, you know, her classmates know me.
30:04She doesn't like that, you know, she sees me everywhere because of the tarpolins.
30:09She gets to be, oh, what's this? I don't like this life.
30:12She's a very private person.
30:15But if you get to know her, she's the most happy daughter that you can ever have.
30:20Yeah.
30:21With that, we can now proceed to the second part of our interview.
30:25The five core questions when we come back.
30:27We're back for the second half of our interview series.
30:38In this part, we will be asking our guests with the five core questions reflecting the concerns and issues of Mandawi City.
30:46To start, Mandawi's rapid urbanization has led to traffic congestion, informal settlements and poor drainage systems.
30:54If elected as representative of the Lone District of Mandawi, what legislative piece will you initiate to address urban planning and infrastructure development?
31:03One of the first legislative piece that I have to address is on the urban settlement of Mandawi City because Mandawi City as it is, the area is very small but the population is very dense.
31:18And so we have to put in a law that can institutionalize community living institutions or system wherein we can put housing communities and job opportunities for them, a church and schools or educational institutions that will be aligned in one community living condition.
31:41So, it's important to have land banking laws that can protect LGUs as well as the national government to purchase more lands and hasten expropriations on private lots so that we can actually develop more communities and improve the quality of lives of our constituents.
32:07Now we move to the second core issue.
32:12This one has to do with frequent flooding due to poor drainage and climate change that threatens residents and businesses.
32:22What legislative measure will you propose to improve flood control and environmental protection?
32:29It is very important that there is a law.
32:32We have laws already that are existing, but it is important to have stricter penalties when it comes to urban development who are not following the building code.
32:45Flooding in our cities have been caused mainly because of so many establishments and residents who have been violating the building code of the Philippines.
32:59Why?
33:00Why?
33:01Because they are building towards the river or towards the canals and they are already blocking the area.
33:07And thus, there are also developments who have been putting in subdivisions in watershed areas.
33:14There are institutions who are developing the areas and then putting in or leading the flood elsewhere instead of a certain pattern in the past.
33:27So these laws are already in place.
33:31But stricter penalties should be there because sometimes establishments or individuals might say,
33:37Bayaran nalang kuning.
33:39Anyway, I might have had violations but maybe we can just pay for it and then it's okay afterwards.
33:45Lisod, mas may tag-as pag-penalty and then maybe we can also have the government have the power to demolish any of those construction that has been hindering our waterways especially.
34:04And then we can also institutionalize other drainage projects.
34:11And when I say institutionalize, we can fund them or funnel funds for bigger drainage, bigger waterways and dredging programs for local government as well as national government.
34:27It is also very important that the national government be co-ordinative with the local government especially in their different projects.
34:40Because as of today, the problem with local government is that the national government, DPWH, is not coordinating properly with them.
34:48Mandawai is an industrial hub but mainly local businesses struggle with taxes, regulatory bottlenecks and the lack of skilled manpower.
34:58If given the chance to be representing the loan district of Mandawai, what legislative piece will you push to ensure economic development and job creation?
35:09First and foremost, the streamlining of the application and application of business permits or mayor's permits in the local government unit is very important.
35:22And we must have laws for this one, not just circulars of the DILG, DOF and DBM.
35:28Laws that will institutionalize red taping and streamline all processes.
35:33We might have to do away with some of the regulatory requirements required of some business establishments so that they can get a permit.
35:43As of today, even if the local government would say that the requirements are hidden, but then the other requirements are hidden.
35:51In other words, what I'm saying is that yes, the local government must take the requirements three steps, but then prior to the three steps,
36:00the other requirements are hidden.
36:04So we need to have laws to tell us what is the requirements of the INE.
36:11And then penalize any employee or public officer who are doing fixing activities or corrupt practices.
36:25We can have more stringent penalties and harsher penalties for these airing officials.
36:32The city's growing population has led to worsening traffic, inefficient public transportation, and a lack of pedestrian friendly spaces.
36:46What legislative actions would you initiate to enhance public transportation and traffic management?
36:53Actually, the legislative measures, no?
36:58We have laws already, but the implementation is very slow.
37:03And because, why?
37:06Because we have very lenient policies when it comes to these.
37:14Like our city engineer's office should also be pressured to have wider sidewalks.
37:23And then we must have more bike lanes for our people.
37:27Mandawi City has been awarded as a silver medalist when it comes to bike lanes or bike friendly communities.
37:36And I'm very happy that if we can just continue this, if we can institutionalize or build laws for local government units to have bigger sidewalks, more bike lanes,
37:48then we could promote healthier communities.
37:51Why?
37:52Because people will be encouraged to walk and to bike rather than just ride with their vehicles or do public transportation.
38:01Just like other countries, even if the weather is warm, if we have beautiful sidewalks lined up with shady trees, safe biking lanes,
38:16then we can actually just promote healthier living conditions in our country.
38:21The problem on informal settlers living in high-risk areas, they're either within the three-meter ishment.
38:28Usually they're the ones who get affected with flooding.
38:31And this is a reality that affordable housing remains a challenge.
38:36If there is no legislative piece, what legislative piece or what existing legislative piece will you go over to ensure that housing and informal settlements will be addressed?
38:48We have to ensure the funding of the National Housing Authority and the urban development planning of the city.
38:56We have to also ensure that there is proper autonomy for local governments to do land banking activities.
39:05What I'm saying is that we should make it easier for local government units to purchase lands so that they can build communities for housing in that area.
39:17As of now, taas kayo ang proseso para mupalit o sa kayuta ang local government. Make it easier for them.
39:24Maybe we can amend the local government code, give them more autonomy to purchase lands, and decide to transfer our informal settlers.
39:36But we have to also look into the brighter picture that informal settlers can also be used as human resource.
39:43In other words, if we just put them in the urban communities, then build condominium units for these people as housing alternatives.
39:55It can only be horizontal for housing.
39:59We look into vertical developments.
40:02Like we already did this in Mandawi City. We have two residential buildings, eight floors each.
40:08And we have, the residents are now very happy.
40:12They are now, we also encourage to put cooperatives for their groceries, grocery needs.
40:21So, naghimo na sila isa ka community in that area.
40:24And we also encourage children not to only just venture into other sports lang, like basketball.
40:32Nibutang pagditaog soccer fields so that they can also learn other sports activities in the area.
40:39So, dako ang atong development.
40:41If we can have local governments purchase more lands, land banking ang tawaganap, to build more housing, then the National Housing Authority and the local government can pour in funds to build more homes, provide more houses for our people.
40:59So, I think that ends the five core questions.
41:02Okay.
41:03And now, we'll ask Attorney Rigal Oliva, the residents of Mandawi City is watching your message to them.
41:09My dear Mandawi Hanons, I am presenting to you myself as your next congressman who will present or who will represent you in the House of Congress.
41:20I believe that I will be very capable in defending and who will be your voice in the House of Congress in the next session.
41:30I believe that there is so much to attend to when it comes to the local level of Mandawi City.
41:38But there is also much to attend to when it comes to the national level.
41:43It might be the time that a Mandawi Hanon will be there to represent not only the Mandawi Hanons, but also the Filipino people.
41:53So, I am Rigal Mendoza Oliva. I will be your next congressman.
41:57Thank you, Attorney Rigal Oliva, for joining us today.
42:00Thank you also to all our viewers for watching.
42:03Stay tuned for more interviews.
42:05Always a pleasure.
42:07I'm DJ Moises.
42:08And I'm Mildred Galarpe.
42:10And good afternoon.
42:11And good afternoon.
42:13Thank you,
42:13and good afternoon.
42:14And good afternoon.
42:15Good afternoon.
42:16Transcription by CastingWords