Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia urged the local government of Iloilo to be self-sufficient in improving the lives of the people.

She said that through the Local Government Code, LGUs are empowered to use their own creativity for efficiency and reiterated that they must not always depend on the national government.

"We must practice the attitude of self-sufficiency and must not depend on the national government always," she said.

Garcia was in Iloilo Tuesday for the Liga ng mga Barangay-Pangasinan conference at Sarabia Manor Hotel and Convention Center.

She also added that LGUs must fight for bigger shares to promote programs needed by the people.

"We need to help ourselves and must use our resources to raise more revenues," she said.

Noting her experience in Cebu, Garcia said that LGUs must focus on infrastructure and the basic services of the people.

"We need to focus in building roads, bridges and electrification to help improve the lives of the people," she said.

Aside from infrastructure, she also added that the government should always prioritize the need of the people, especially among the minorities.

"We need to prioritize our children's education," she said.

VISAYAN SEA PROTECTION

In line with the ocean month this May, the governor noted that it's not only the Visayan Sea that needs to be protected but the entire waters of the Philippine archipelago.

Confirming her candidacy for the senatorial slate on the next election, Garcia said that she will push for the protection of the Visayas seas, seen as having one of the richest marine biodiversities in the world.

Aside from Garcia, Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Sr., Masbate Governor Rizalina Lanete, and Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon were among those who signed a commitment to continue protecting the Visayan Sea.

Recently, she was included in the senatorial slate of the United Nationalist Alliance, a umbrella political group of the Partido ng Masang Pilipino of former president Joseph Estrada and Partido Demokratiko ng Pilipinas-Laban ng Bayan led by Vice President Jejomar Binay.

HUMAN TRAFFICKING

Meanwhile, being a woman and as a responsible mother, Garcia is also actively campaigning against human trafficking and other forms of exploitation of women and children.

She shared the Cebu experience wherein she filed charges against several beach resort owners and starlet organizations for a bikini fashion show during Holy Week in Bantayan Island in 2009 for violation of the Provincial Women's Code. She said a court hearing is still in the process.

She said the Code imposes a fine of P5,000 or an imprisonment of one year or both depending upon the discretion of the court. Business entities may also lose their permit if convicted for violation.

"Section 19 of the Local Government Code on the general welfare clause also prohibits in public places lewd activities that violate women's rights," she said.

Garcia also said this code can be applied and adopted in the national level.*