PARTIDO SA BAGONG PILIPINO (PBP) OUTLINES LEGISLATIVE AGENDA TO EMPOWER BARANGAYS

Partido sa Bagong Pilipino (PBP), a party-list organization advocating for grassroots development, held a press conference at Bayfront Hotel Cebu - North Reclamation on March 31, 2025. The event was led by PBP’s first nominee, former Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Commissioner Atty. Goyo Larrazabal, and second nominee, Beaver Lopez, Vice President and Board of Adviser of Rockwell Land.

With the slogan “Barangay ang Panalo,” PBP underscored its commitment to uplifting marginalized communities, particularly in coastal and rural areas, through strategic legislation that prioritizes clean water, healthcare, roads and access,  and electricity.

Clean Water: A Fundamental Right

Addressing the persistent water crisis, PBP is pushing for the establishment of a Department of Water Resources to oversee policy implementation and institutional reforms. The party also proposes legislative measures to encourage barangay-level rainwater harvesting and stronger partnerships with NGOs to provide potable water.

"We have several proposed bills to help the LGUs and help the barangays access water, utilize their water resources, and more importantly, or equally important, protect their water resources."

PBP has already begun distributing water filtration systems in various parts of the country ahead of the campaign period.

Healthcare: Accessible and Preventive Solutions

Recognizing the lack of medical professionals in many barangays, PBP is pushing for the enhancement of the Department of Health’s Doctors to the Barrio program. Proposed legislation includes the expansion of DOH’s medical scholarship programs and ensuring at least one doctor per town, with a focus on highland and coastal areas.

Atty. Goyo Larrazabal

"It's important because we need to have a robust healthcare system in the barangay, because that's our first type of defense. That's what will prevent the clogging and overwhelming of our hospitals and clinics all over the Philippines," explained Atty. Goyo.

PBP is also advocating for digitized healthcare to improve disease management and accessibility. "There's a lot of medical centers now, but not everybody has the opportunity, that everybody has the resources, to go from their barangay to the population. We propose a bill to digitize the healthcare system in the Philippines in support of the universal healthcare. What that does is it allows the government to better track, disease management, to better track health problems of the different areas of the Philippines," he said.

"What it also does, since it's a centralized database, it will allow somebody, a barangay healthcare worker, to cross-check my data if I'm in Iloilo, and if I go to Davao, they can still access, they can still verify my health records."

On advocating Doctors to the Barrio Program, Atty. Goyo added, "Doctors to the Barrio is an ongoing program already, but it needs recharging due to some constraints like red tagging, and lack of benefits. You need to re-evaluate and add more benefits to encourage the healthcare professionals to be in that program. That's through legislation."

Roads and Access: Strengthening Barangay Connectivity

PBP aims to enhance infrastructure by ensuring better road networks to connect barangays, facilitating easier access to goods, services, and opportunities. Digital connectivity is also a priority to bridge the gap in technological access.

“What we want to do is, we want to bring development, we want to help usher in and help assist the LGUs and barangays to strengthen the development of the barangays. We're not saying that all problems should be solved, we're just saying that it's time to focus on a small, if you want to take big,” said Atty. Goyo.

Electricity: Sustainable and Renewable Energy Solutions

PBP advocates for a mix of traditional and renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, to ensure stable power supply in barangays. The Power, Stable Power, and Solar Lights program will provide short-term solutions, including solar lights for barangay halls and other public spaces, while working on long-term renewable energy adoption.

"Light is a signal of stability, whether through solar, wind, or traditional energy. We can't have only one source for all our needs. It has to be in tandem because we have to take care of the base load plus the supplemental," explained Atty. Goyo.

Collaboration with LGUs: A Win for Communities

Understanding political roadblocks in local governance, PBP assured LGUs of collaboration in implementing development projects.

Beaver Lopez

Beaver Lopez stated, "I think the areas that we've been able to visit and talk to, I think there's relationships already. That's why when we tell them that we're here to help, when we win, you win, who wins, the community wins. Because it's not just the LGUs, but the party list that came here will also help. So I think that's a welcome to any of the LGUs, to be able to come in."

PBP, accredited by the Commission on Elections on September 15, 2023, has steadily gained public support, ranking 16th in Tangere’s 2025 Pre-Election Party-List Preferential Survey with 1.68% voter preference.

Atty. Goyo emphasized, "We're here because we not only feel but we also know that we can make a difference. We can be part of the solution in making the lives of the people we love and people who care for better. We're here because we want to make a change and we want to be the change we're looking for but we're here not by ourselves but we're here with you, we're here with people, other people, because we can't do this alone. It's our program."

“We want to be the party-list that lifts up barangays by empowering every Filipino, ensuring no one ever gets left behind. By working together, #TogetherWe provide the most essential needs - starting with clean water and basic medicines - bringing national progress to smaller communities,” concluded nominees Larrazabal and Lopez, Jr.

With a clear vision and strong grassroots approach, PBP is poised to champion sustainable development and policy reforms that will transform barangays and improve the lives of Filipinos nationwide.