LAOAG CITY, ILOCOS NORTE —- Senatorial candidate and Makati Mayor Abby Binay unveiled her social agenda anchored on providing better education and health, as well as increasing the purchasing power of workers by removing taxes on overtime pay and 13th month pay.

“When government gives priority to better education and health, our people become more productive. And by removing taxes on overtime pay and 13th month pay, we help spur economic growth by increasing the purchasing power of our workers,” Binay said.

On her first day on the campaign trail,  Binay emphasized the importance of pursuing reforms in education while working to improve school buildings and facilities, including access to water and electricity.

“Gustong-gusto ng mga bata na mag-aral. They need to feel valued and supported by their government. They deserve better,” she said.

For Binay, technology can be used to promote literacy and proficiency by giving public school students free access to modern learning tools such as tablets and computers.

This can be done while addressing with urgency the basic needs of students and teachers, such as classrooms, especially in far-flung areas; improving and updating the content of learning materials, and upgrading the curriculum, Binay said.

“In a rapidly changing world, it is the role of government to guarantee that every child, regardless of economic status, has the opportunity to learn, grow, and contribute positively to society,” she said.

She also proposed a comprehensive healthcare program that would provide free medicines and pharmaceutical products for hypertension, diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and other diseases.

Binay also wants to provide free and unlimited dialysis and chemotherapy, promote preventive care, and improve health facilities, especially in the provinces.

“Quality health care should be accessible for anyone who needs it. Ang healthcare dapat 100 per cent better,” Binay said.