De los Santos vows to act on unimplemented programs

CEBU, Philippines — Legislation on mental health, a comprehensive drug rehabilitation program, and more benefits for barangay workers—these are among the top priorities of Cebu City Councilor Mary Ann de los Santos as she tries her luck once again in Congress as Cebu City’s representative in the North District.

During The Freeman’s Know Your Candidate episode yesterday, Feb. 27, 2025, de los Santos expressed eagerness to do more for Cebu City, which is why she is running again in the upcoming elections. She previously ran for the same position in 2010 but lost to Rep. Cutie del Mar.

De los Santos later served as a city councilor in 2013, 2016, and at present. She has authored several ordinances but feels frustrated that the executive department has not implemented some of what she considers crucial policies for Cebuanos.

Among the ordinances she authored are those advocating for elderly-friendly environments in health facilities, incentives for top-notchers in licensure exams, rice conservation (half-cup rice portions, even in carenderias), a breast-screening program for indigent women, a barangay behavioral unit program, a behavioral unit in Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC), a behavioral assistance program for students and employees, and a socialized housing loan structuring and penalty ordinance.

If not in the City Council, de los Santos hopes to bring her advocacies to Congress—not just for Cebu City but for the entire country to emulate.

Mental health as a priority

At the top of de los Santos’ agenda is mental health, having established what she believes to be the country’s best and possibly only barangay-based behavioral unit.

“I authored that ordinance, and there is a sequence of other ordinances related to the barangay behavioral unit,” de los Santos said.

De los Santos added that she wants to institutionalize an integrated health system that addresses both physical and psychological wellbeing.

“You cannot deny the fact that grabe na kaayo ang mental health issues… It has to be addressed, not only the medical component but also mental health. You have to address a person as a whole—with both mind and body. The two have to go hand in hand,” she said, citing Barangay Lahug as proof of the program’s positive community impact.

De los Santos is also pushing for the completion of the Cebu City Medical Center, with the inclusion of a behavioral unit, after several administrations have reportedly failed to do so.

Barangay benefits and drug rehab programs

With her background in barangay service, De los Santos wants to push for amendments to the Local Government Code to improve the benefits of barangay officials and workers.

“My heart is there… I started in the basic unit of government, which is the barangay. So sayod ko unsay kinabuhi sa workers sa barangay. They are frontliners, working 24/7, but they don’t have benefits,” she said, expressing concern over their uncertain future.

She also advocates for the establishment of public rehabilitation centers with comprehensive programs for drug dependents. She believes the country lacks a national-scale rehabilitation and reintegration program, as most facilities are privately owned and unaffordable for many.

Even in Cebu, she said, there is no clearly defined public drug rehabilitation facility and reintegration program aside from what the Department of Social Welfare and Development offers.

“It’s an existing problem… wala nahatagig pagtagad. Give me a chance and opportunity to be up there. I’m very determined and focused on what I want to do,” she added.

On budget priorities and ‘ayuda’

Delos Santos also questioned why others claim that reforms are easier said than done when budget constraints should not be an issue—especially given how much money is spent on ayuda (financial aid).

“Budget is not an issue. You are throwing millions for ayuda, and you cannot come up with something concrete and constructive like this?”

She clarified that while ayuda is beneficial, it should not be given as mere dole-outs.

“Ayuda is good, but only on the basis that those in need should not just be given dole-outs easily. Instead, ‘teach me how to fish',” she pointed out.

She also stressed the problem with ayuda is that it often becomes visible only during election season.

“Manggawas raman gud nig ting-election. Kaning ayuda, the irony of everything, all the congressmen now are associated with ayuda, and that is not the work of a congressman. You are there to make laws, to make representations in legislation,” she said.

A consultative leadership approach

De los Santos stressed that she will always consult the people on the ground before making decisions.

“I am a believer in participatory governance. That is my kind of governance. I go down to the people, I sit down with them, I do pulong-pulong… I identify the problems with them, discuss them before making any decision… I have to be mindful of the fact that I am representing the people," she said.

And when it comes to ayuda, she made it clear that it will not be the basis for securing votes.

“Ayuda, no! My track record speaks for itself,” she said, adding that even in the past, they were able to function in the barangay without subsidies from the city government.

De los Santos also supports increasing Cebu City’s representation in Congress, given its growing population, especially in mountain barangays.

However, she noted that some congressmen seem hesitant about the proposal.

On utility rates, she advocates for lower electricity and water rates.

“I promise you that if I will be sitting as Congresswoman, I will work on that … Paningli ko,” she said. —/ATO (FREEMAN)