AT THE third and final leg of presidential debate held Sunday at the Phinma University of Pangasinan in Dagupan City, presidential candidates were asked on their take on the West Philippine Sea issue?"
Carlo Montehermozo, a fisherman, was given the chance to personally ask all presidential candidate as to what their plans will be to address the needs of fisherfolks, who had been affected because of the issue.
"Ano po ang pwede niyong gawin para sa aming mangingisda para hindi itaboy ng Chinese Coast Guard at para makamingwit kaming mabuti at mapayapa?" Montehermozo asked.
Vice President Jejomar Binay said he would initiate a dialogue with China to settle the territorial disputes over the West Philippine Sea, should he become president.
He said he would offer assistance to fisherfolk in the country who caught in the conflict between China and Philippines.
"Ang una kong gagawin ay gagawa ako ng paraan upang makausap ko ang pamunuan ng China at mapag-usapan ang pagmamayari ng lupa," Binay said.
"Pangalawa, pipilitin kong bigyan kayo ng puhunan para magkaroon kayo ng livelihood. Bibigyan nating ng free education ang anak ninyo. Libre ang gamut at hospital at ibang pangangailangan ninyo, nandiyan ang pamahalaan para tumulong sa pangangailangan ninyo," he added.
Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago said she would resort to legal and diplomacy means in resolving the West Philippine Sea dispute while Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte said that he would wait for the final decision of Permanent Court of Arbitration on the issue.
Mayor Rodrigo Duterte said, "Kapag sinabing panalo tayo at ayaw ng China, pupunta ako sa China. Ngayon kapag ayaw nila, I will ask the Navy to bring me to the nearest boundary sa Spratly, bababa ako at sasakay ako ng jetski, dala ko ang flag ng Pilipino at dadalhin ko sa airport nila, itanim ko sa kanila, sasabihin ko, ito ang flag ng Filipino.”
Senator Grace Poe said she would provide additional ships for the Philippine Coast Guard and radio equipment for fishermen.
Poe added that under her administration, there would be scholarship grants for fisherfolks’ children and additional fishing equipment.
Administration standard-bearer Manuel Roxas II cited that personal and international aspects were affected because of the dispute.
In terms of personal aspect, he said he would offer cash-for-work, automatic 4Ps, and PhilHealth grant for fishermen.
On the international aspect, Roxas said China is ahead of Philippines but the latter must exhaust all means.
“Tanggapin nating na pagdating sa China, dehado tayo ngunit hindi dapat natin isuko kung ano ang sa atin,” Roxas said.
“Tugunan ang pangangailangan mo at hindi natin isusuko ang pangangailangan natin,” he added. (Sunnex)