Preparing for the upcoming 2022 National and Local Elections, CANDID DATES 2022 explored Maria Victoria “Mags” Maglana’s platforms and opinions on local and national concerns.

Mags Maglana, who works for a non-governmental organization (NGO) in promoting peace and gender equality, is running for the congressional seat in the 1st District of Davao City.

In her opening speech, she mentioned following her version of five Gs in improving the condition of the city, especially in the 1st District, namely: (1) genuine recovery from the pandemic and strengthening the health systems, (2) good quality of life, (3) green solutions to the environmental challenges, disasters, and the climate crisis, (4) grassroots oriented approach to peace and human rights, and (5) governance that is democratic.

“I decided to run in the Davao City’s first district in the belief that people can make better choices in the political arena,” Maglana said. 

On the Question and Answer Portion, the 1st District Congressional Representative candidate was asked questions ranging from indigenous people’s (IP) rights, education, environmental concerns, peace talks, Covid-19 responses, faith education, and women’s rights from invited resource persons and the audience.

In the issue of National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), debunking the term “lumad” for the IP groups, she clarified that the IP groups were the ones who called themselves the label while gathering together.

“Sana tinignan talaga nila ang mga ang mga problema na mas nirereklamo ng mga katutubo. Ano ba yun? Yun pa rin naman. Basic parin yung usapin ng delineation ng ancestral domain nila,” she said.

The 1st District Congressional seat aspirant also forwarded her goals regarding environmental problems, including renewable energy and the action towards bringing the Solid Wastes Management Commission in Davao City, hence creating it as an industry that provides ecological solutions.

“I think what we really need is a mindset that recognizes na renewable energy is all the more imperative because of the reality of the climate crisis,“ Maglana stated.

Pursuing a “ligtas na pagbalik sa mga klase” for resumption of face-to-face classes, she stated many points to consider. These points are proper measures, institutional responses, assurance from the academic units (i.e., Department of Education, Commission of Higher Education) of a safe return to classes, and most importantly, acknowledgment of the “health costs” of online schooling.

Moreover, with the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, she addressed the need to incentivize people to get vaccinated, where the government should devise ways that “connect with the people’s value systems.”

Believing in the power of local governance, Maglana encouraged everyone to inform themselves on the duties and responsibilities of different local officers.

“Hindi ba panahon na para babae naman ang ihalal natin sa unang distrito?” she said in her closing remarks.

The next installment of CANDID DATES 2022 will be broadcasted on February 14, 2022, via ADDU’s Official Facebook Page with presidential candidate Norberto Borja Gonzales.