Roco vows one-year moratorium on squatter eviction

If elected president, candidate Raul Roco would order a one-year suspension on the demolition of squatter shanties on government land and encourage Filipinos to become businessmen.

"It can be done on houses situated in government property," he said. "This will give us enough time to review the relocation program. We cannot do the same to those in private lots."

Speaking to residents of Barangay Pinyahan in East Triangle, Quezon City, the standard-bearer of the Alyansa ng Pag-asa said squatters should be relocated near schools and work places, and not in far-flung areas.

"We’ll do our best to find good relocation sites for you," he said. "We do not want to take you away from your jobs. If we do this, you will eventually return to your old homes."

Roco also said he would initiate enteprenuership among Filipinos to make them self-reliant.

"If we go by the volume of the rubber shoes that China produces, we cannot beat them," he said. "But we can make our products sell more if we can go for quality."

The Philippines might not be able to compete with the cheap labor of other countries, but it could make better products, he added.

Meanwhile, Roco told members of Women for Roco (W4R) that he would appoint women to half of the government executive posts if he wins in the May 10 presidential elections.

"All government departments shall ensure that women benefit equally and participate directly in the development programs and projects of said department, specially those funded under official foreign development assistance, to ensure the full participation and involvement of women in the development process," he said.

Roco said women suffer most in poverty because they make sure that their husbands and children are fed and clothed before they tend to their needs.

"A Roco presidency will put resources in the hands of women as Roco believes that women are the linchpin of any poverty reduction program," he said.

Roco said women have proven to be a unifying force in fostering peace and harmony in the community, as well as good providers for their families.

"Studies have shown that increased income for women goes to improve family welfare," he said.

Roco said he would also fully implement Republic Act 7192 or the Women in Nation Building Act to push more government programs for women.

"A substantial portion of official development assistance funds received from foreign governments and multilateral agencies and organizations shall be set aside and utilized by the agencies concerned to support programs and activities for women," he said.

On the other hand, Roco told members of Doctors for Roco yesterday at Club Filipino in Greenhills, San Juan that his health program would give importance to health workers.

Health workers are the most important element of the health care system, he added.

The country’s health workers, numbering around 500,000, are found in the public and private sectors and are either formally employed or work as volunteers.

They include nurses, midwives, medical technicians, doctors, dentists, and pharmacists.