ILOILO City – Returning from the Philippine National Day events at the Expo 2020 Dubai, Cong. Julienne “Jam-Jam” Baronda expressed stronger optimism that Iloilo City will have a chunk of foreign investments as a result of the pitch made by the Philippine delegation before United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Middle East investors, which will help the regional center of Western Visayas revive its economy faster.
“Because of our desire to hasten our economic recovery and to make sure that we bring Iloilo City to the next level and make it greater than ever, we joined the Philippine delegation to the Expo 2020 Dubai to meet with investors. We attended the key events and we succeeded in touching base with potential investors,” the Iloilo City Lone District representative told Panay News in an exclusive interview yesterday.
The high-level delegation made a very attractive presentation of the Philippines as an ideal investment destination during the Country Business Briefing at the Expo 2020 Dubai on Friday, Feb. 11.
Mounted to entice potential investors in the UAE, Middle East and other international markets to do business in the Philippines, the briefing featured presentation on opportunities in key priority and within complementary sectors with the UAE, such as agriculture, infrastructure, and energy sectors.
Cong. Baronda joined Trade secretary Ramon Lopez, Agriculture secretary William Dar, Public Works secretary Roger Mercado, Labor secretary Silvestre Bello III, Communications secretary Martin Andanar, Energy senior undersecretary Jesus Cristino Posadas, Cong. Christopher De Venecia, and Cong. Stella Quimbo, among others, for this briefing.
“With God’s help, Iloilo City will soon be home to foreign investments from the UAE and the Middle East. Our Ilonggo workers might also have more opportunities in the UAE and its neighboring countries, especially in the health and construction sectors as our country revitalizes its partnership with UAE. With this, our commitment summarized into the slogan ‘Tungod sa GUGMA, mas maga-USWAG kita,’ will become a reality,” Baronda further told Panay News.
She also attended the DOLE Regional POLO (Philippine Overseas Labor Office) Conference, where the country’s labor attachés assigned in the Middle East, Africa and Europe gathered. Baronda raised the concerns of Ilonggo overseas Filipino workers and they agreed to have a more active partnership in better responding to the aid of these Ilonggos in the future as well as for POLO to be more proactive.
The legislator will be welcomed home with the results of the newest survey conducted by the region’s most trusted polling firm Random Access Consultants, Inc. (RACI) which showed that “8 in 10 likely voters are satisfied with the projects of Cong. Baronda.”
The survey that was conducted from Feb. 4 to 6, 2022, asked 600 randomly selected respondents, “Ano ikaw ka kontento sa mga proyekto ni Jam-Jam Baronda bilang Congresswoman?”
Greeting Baronda on her birthday today, House Speaker Lord Allan Q. Velasco said, “I commend you Cong. Jam Jam on your commitment to social service. What stands out to me most is your timely pandemic response. ‘Gugma Hatid Pag-Asa Sea Trip’ helped locally stranded individuals and OFWs return home at a time when logistics and transportation were difficult.”
Velasco further hailed Baronda’s “Gugma Kontra Pandemya Program” that, he emphasized, “ensured the health and safety of your constituency,” adding, “I salute your quick decision-making and focused leadership amid this unprecedented health crisis. Your tireless effort showcased not only your remarkable work ethic but also your love for the people of Iloilo City.”
Mayor Jerry Treñas also greeted Baronda, whom he describes as “my partner in the development of the City,” wishing that their productive and effective partnership and collaboration will yield more positive results for the swift recovery and development of Iloilo City which will ultimately benefit the Ilonggo people.
In thanksgiving for the blessings she has received, Baronda and her family, led by parents Dr. Urminico “Doc Nick” and Dra. Julie, will hear a Holy Mass to mark the day of simple celebration.
She will also launch her health and wellness advocacy through an online zumba contest. Baronda will also pay tribute to the frontliners of all 180 barangays and nine district health centers in the city as well as the lying-in center in Calumpang and the La Paz Maternity Clinic with snacks for the sacrifices these health workers had to make in helping fight the COVID-19 pandemic.
Her office is also facilitating the release of financial assistance to 714 beneficiaries worth P2,504,500 under the DSWD Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations from Feb. 15-17, 2022.
Baronda, who is an assistant majority leader, has authored or coauthored 160 bills in House. Her priority bill improving the Western Visayas Medical Center became Republic Act 11496, which paves the way for the top government hospital to hire more hospital workers, procure modern equipment and build new infrastructures.
Since assuming office, she has facilitated the allocation and/or release of DOH Medical Assistance to Indigent Patients worth P35 million, DSWD Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations worth P95 million, DOLE COVID Adjustment Measures Program worth P100 million, DOLE TUPAD worth P100 million, DOLE Government Internship Program worth P30 million, TESDA scholarships worth P27 million, and infrastructure projects in the barangays and the city worth P4 billion./PN
