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A NEW WAY FORWARD
THE ‘BENHUR’ AGENDA
The Benhur Agenda embodies Atty. Benjamin "Benhur" Abalos Jr.'s vision for a safer,more prosperous Philippines. It focuses on advancing peace and order, fosteringinclusive growth across all sectors, and enhancing governance for the benefit of thenation.
Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan (BIDA)
Peace and order have always been at the forefront of Atty. Benjamin “Benhur”Abalos Jr.’s vision for a safer Philippines. During his tenure as Secretary of theDepartment of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Abalos championedcomprehensive reforms that transformed local governance, upheld law enforcement,fostered community engagement, and tackled corruption head-on. His leadershipaimed to restore the integrity of the police force while emphasizing accountability andhuman rights.
One of his signature initiatives, the Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan (BIDA) program,moves beyond conventional crime-fighting strategies by targeting root causes likeunemployment and lack of education, often pushing individuals toward illegalactivities. BIDA takes a holistic approach, providing alternatives emphasizingrehabilitation, education, and economic opportunities, encouraging people to choosemore productive and positive paths in life.
As of December last year, under Benhur’s leadership, the DILG reported that 76% or458 barangays had been declared drug-free, marking a significant step towardachieving a fully drug-free status across all levels of local government.
Empowering Local Governance and Economic Development
Known for architecting Mandaluyong’s rise as the “Tiger City of the Philippines,”Abalos prioritizes economic development by strengthening local governmentcapacities and promoting local businesses.
By integrating programs like the Growth Equity Fund (GEF) and Financial Assistanceto Local Government Units (FALGU), Benhur’s stint as a local chief executiveencouraged the government to support small- and medium-sized enterprises, createjobs, foster a business-friendly environment, reduce regulatory hurdles, and buildcritical infrastructure, empowering disadvantaged communities to develop andperform better.
Nationwide Police Revitalization Program
Benhur promotes peace and order through massive police reform and communityinvolvement. This initiative seeks to enhance the integrity of law enforcement byrooting out corruption and encouraging accountability.
He pioneered the Revitalized Pulis sa Barangay Program (RPSB) and employed5,119 personnel in 1,146 barangays in various regions to build trust and localknowledge, reaffirming his strategic approach towards addressing local crimes moreeffectively.
In just one year of taking the helm of DILG, total crime incidents nationwide droppedby 3.29%, positioning the Philippines as one of the safest countries, ranking 3rd inSoutheast Asia and 33rd out of 140 countries in Gallup's Global Law and OrderIndex.
Health and Social Services Access
Benhur advocates for improving access to healthcare and social services, especiallyfor vulnerable sectors. His vision includes expanding community health programs,investing in preventive care, and ensuring inclusive access to vital support systemsthat promote well-being, regardless of economic status.
To alleviate hunger and ensure food security, he introduced Barangay CommunityGardens benefitting 26,525 barangays, and partnered with the Children’s First 1,000Days Coalition to protect Filipino children against malnutrition and stunting.
Upholding Good Governance and Transparency
Abalos champions transparency and good governance as crucial elements fornational progress. He believes that by holding public officials accountable andmaking government processes more open, the public can trust that resources arebeing used efficiently for their benefit. His track record in Mandaluyong shows howtransparency can drive meaningful reform.
As DILG Secretary, 493 local government units have been conferred with the Seal ofGood Local Governance, the highest since its inception. He likewise pushed for easeof doing business and digitalization, encouraging 916 out of 1,515 LGUs to automateprocesses for their frontline services.
Reforms in Local Governance and Agricultural Support
As a champion of local governance excellence, Benhur proposes the review of the1991 Local Government Code to address its current shortcomings, especially in ruraland agricultural sectors.
He wants to institutionalize financial assistance to farmers and promote technologyin agriculture to ensure food security, by strengthening local government support forinfrastructure and services that benefit farmers and rural communities.