“Ya puede ya quita hace, hace pa quita mas ancha con el programa.”
Strong words from Mayoral Candidate and 1st District Representative Cesar “Jawo” Jimenez, Jr. as he addressed the audience of the VALIENTE: Mayoral Candidates Forum which was attended by six out of eight mayoral candidates.
Jimenez is openly supported and recommended by Zamboanga City Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar. As a congressman, among the bills authored by Jimenez include: HB01026, An Act Amending Sections 141, 142 And 143 of Republic Act No. 8424, As Amended, Otherwise Known As The National Internal Revenue Code Of 1997; and HB03000, An Act Converting The City Road Stretching from T. Taupan Road in Suterville Barangay Campo Islam Zamboanga City Connecting Junction Zamboanga City Labuan to Limpapa National Highway San Jose Gusu Section to Junction R.T. Lim Boulevard In Zamboanga City into a National Road And Appropriating Funds Therefor, among others.
For his opening statement and answer to the question, “Why should you be the next Mayor?” the 1st District Representative expressed three platforms, which he believes encapsulates the need of addressing the current issues the city is facing. Strengthened by his well-studied reports, Jimenez anchored his platforms on free education, free housing, and free hospitalization. Jimenez emphasized the value of education several times as he graced the reactors and audience with his cleared-out response.
In response to questions regarding the sourcing funds for free education and the rising cases of teenage pregnancies, Jimenez said, “Your concern is sustainability, we will definitely have to use public funds for that purpose. We definitely have to improve our existing local ordinance for that purpose.” Furthermore, Jimenez stated that infrastructure projects will not be compromised. He also noted the need to provide more support for the youth by pushing for free education and providing tuition assistance for students.
Jimenez also promised to continue his free housing project, which he says helped several families in Zamboanga City. Subsidy for farmers was also emphasized, along with the security and protection of fisherfolk’s fishing locations, and the necessary training farmers and fisherfolk should have.
Jimenez seeks to empower all women and members of the LGBTQ+ community as part of the social programs, giving them opportunities to utilize their talents and put them to work that can benefit the community.
This Forum Review is part of The BEACON’s series on local elections. The VALIENTE: Mayoral Candidates Forum was held last April 9, 2022 at the Faustino W Saavedra Multi-Purpose Hall in the Ateneo de Zamboanga University Salvador Campus.