Zubiri bats for bigger Mindanao budget
MALAYBALAY CITY (MindaNews/16 Jul) — Senator-elect Juan Miguel Zubiri took his oath here Monday morning in front of thousands of spectators mostly government employees and students in homecourt ceremonies two days after he was proclaimed the 12th winner of the senatorial elections Saturday.
Zubiri becomes the third candidate from the administration’s Team Unity in the winning circle, after senators Edgardo Angara and Joker Arroyo.
He pledge to make Mindanawons proud of his representation as the first senator from the province of Bukidnon, saying his priority is public service and not politics.
Zubiri, in an interview with MindaNews after his inaugural speech, said he meant working to increase Mindanao’s share of the national budget from 18 to 25 percent.
He said “the development of Mindanao would mean the development of the Philippines”.
He cited that while Mindanao receives less than a fourth of the national budget, it contributes more than 40 percent to the national economy as a food basket and source of natural resources. Given enough support, Zubiri said Mindanao’s contribution could even reach 60 percent because it is typhoon-free.
