BY: RHEN DE GUZMAN
Gubernatorial candidate George Mendoza Punasen has vowed to bring a united and progressive leadership to Benguet province if elected in the upcoming polls.
In a series of visits to different towns, Punasen laid out his platforms focusing on agriculture, education, medical access, and grassroots engagement.
Punasen, who served as project coordinator of the Raffy Tulfo in Action (RTIA) Center in Northern Luzon for nearly three years, said he has encountered countless concerns from Benguet residents—many of which remain unresolved. “You see the desperation in their eyes. You just want to help,” he said.
He emphasized the need for local officials to go directly to the people, especially in far-flung communities. “Your presence alone, when you go to these places and pay attention to their needs, already means a lot to them,” he said.
Punasen believes that Benguet’s farmers face critical challenges, including oversupply of produce, poor farm-to-market roads, and lack of modern equipment. “Why should they rely on manual labor when we can provide them with machinery to ease their workload?” he added.
He also underlined the importance of effective and impactful projects that bring visible change. “Any project we implement should result in real improvements in people’s lives,” he said.
Beyond agriculture, Punasen is committed to improving access to medical services in remote areas, particularly for senior citizens and children. “Many of these areas are far from the city, and it’s difficult for people to access medical care. We need to bring services to them,” he said.
Lastly, he stressed equal access to education, noting that some youth turn to farming out of necessity due to lack of schooling opportunities. “If I get elected with the people’s support, I promise true service—just like what I did at RTIA, personally reaching remote areas to see what they need,” he said.
