Senator Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV on Wednesday expressed support for Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso’s four-point development strategy centered on education, healthcare, housing, and jobs.
Speaking during the 57th commencement exercises of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM), Aquino said the Mayor’s strategy reflects the kind of leadership that directly responds to people’s needs.
The senator said he and the Mayor discussed their shared priorities before the ceremony.
“Kanina po kausap ko si Mayor. Sabi ko, ‘Mayor, ano ba ang priorities natin?’ Sabi ni Mayor, simple lang: edukasyon, kalusugan, pabahay, trabaho,” Aquino recalled.
“Apat na bagay na kung mahanapan natin ng paraan, uusad talaga ang Maynila, mararamdaman talaga ang biyaya kung mabigyan ng tamang pansin,” the Mayor said.
Aquino said the Mayor’s focus aligns with his own advocacy in the Senate to strengthen the Free College Law, increase education subsidies, and push for his proposed Classroom-Building Acceleration Program (CAP) to address the country’s classroom shortage.
“Education must be at the center of development,” Aquino said, adding that better schools, homes, and livelihoods form the foundation of a strong republic.
Domagoso, for his part, told graduates that his administration continues to prioritize investments in education and health despite fiscal constraints.
He cited the city government’s ongoing plan to establish the PLM College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences as part of a long-term commitment to expand access to quality higher education in Manila.
“Rest assured, while we are having some fiscal challenges, hindi ako magpapahinga. Pipilitin kong magbuti, magsisinop ako so that we can achieve better facilities for our students,” he said.
The Mayor also drew from his own childhood experience in public schools, recalling how his mother struggled to afford even simple school requirements.
“That is why when I became Mayor, ultimo baon ng PLM at UDM iniintindi ko,” Moreno said, explaining how his education allowance programs aim to ensure that no student misses class for lack of fare or food.
“Ayaw kong maranasan ng mga magulang at anak ngayon ang pinagdaanan ko noon,” he said.
Both Domagoso and Aquino stressed that education is Manila’s greatest equalizer.
Aquino pledged to support Manila’s local education reforms at the national level, while Domagoso vowed to sustain and expand city investments in schools, healthcare, and social welfare under his long-term “Make Manila Great Again” vision.
“Kaya ako po, nagko-commit, magtutulungan po kami, kasama po ni Yorme, ng lahat ng mga opisyales dito po sa Manila, para mabigyan po ng tulong ang ating mga eskwelahan dito po sa Manila at sa buong Pilipinas,” Aquino said.
