Congressional Spouses Foundation visits Batanes

MANILA, Philippines - A 24-member delegation from the Congressional Spouses Foundation, led by Quezon City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte, visited Batanes province last week to find ways to improve the lives of ordinary Ivatan.

Belmonte, who represents her father, Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr., said their trip is part of their continuing “Lakbay Aral Program,” in which spouses and their representatives design what programs, projects and innovations they can introduce in the congressional districts they visit.

“It is our vision to improve the lives of the ordinary people, based on what they need and are capable of doing,” the younger Belmonte said.

Rep. Henedina Abad; her husband, Budget Secretary Florencio; and their daughter Julia, who heads the Presidential Management Staff, hosted the group’s four-day stay.

The only municipality the group did not visit is Itbayat, the country’s northernmost town.