Infra projects top Yap’s agenda

CEBU, Philippines — A bet gunning for a seat in the House of Representatives vowed to push for infrastructure projects that would pave way for the improvement of Cebu City’s healthcare, education, employment and traffic situation.

During the #KnowYourCandidate, an interview series for the Cebu Vote, the election coverage of The FREEMAN and Banat News, episode yesterday, businessman and actor Richard Edison Yap bared his plans and programs for the midterm elections on May 13.

Yap is running for congressman in Cebu City North District against incumbent Representative Raul del Mar.

Born in Cebu City, Yap desires to help more Cebuanos. He said he is willing to forego his acting career should he be elected as congressman.

“I just want to say that gusto nako nga it’s a consultative type of leadership. Of course, we will do what is best for Cebu City. We will do our best and dili ta magpakauwaw because I want to leave a legacy for Cebu City that I did something for Cebu City not because I am popular but because we can do something,” he said.

Yap said he is eyeing to push for the construction of skyways and the implementation of the light rail transit to improve the city’s public transportation.

He said he would look into the possibility of constructing a skyway from Gorordo Avenue to Banilad-Talamban corridor to ease traffic bottlenecks.

Other projects that he wants to pursue are the waste-to-energy facility, renewable energy, construction of more healthcare centers, training centers to improve skills of Cebuanos, socialized housing for urban poor, and construction of water catchment basins in the mountain area to address water scarcity.

As for his legislations, Yap said he will prioritize a bill allowing an organ donor, regulation of alternative therapy, legalization of medical marijuana, and pushing for federalism.

“We want to have autonomy here in Cebu so that all the funds of Cebu like 70 percent of the funds should remain in Cebu so that we can do all these projects. If that does not happen, we will ask with the national government or private sectors,” he said.

Yap said he would also check all antiquated laws and fine-tune them.

While saying he is giving a good fight in the race against his veteran opponent, Yap said it’s anybody’s ball game as there are people who are clamoring for change.

He said his opponent has been in the position for several years but there are people who have not experienced improvement especially on public transportation, among others. — KBQ (FREEMAN)