MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Wednesday welcomed the encounter between First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and Manibela Chairman Mar Valbuena, calling it a constructive step regardless of whether the meeting was planned or incidental.
Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro made the statement during a press briefing, highlighting that the encounter took place while the First Lady was distributing aid to transport workers during a transport protest staged by various groups on Tuesday, September 29.
”Alam naman po natin na iyong pagbibigay at pamamahagi ng bigas lalung-lalo na sa mga miyembro ng transport sector ay hindi naman kahapon lang ginawa. Pati sa mga ibang local government units ay nakikita po natin ang First Lady Liza Marcos na siya ang namamahagi at nagpapamahagi ng mga big as,” Castro said.
”Kung ito ay nagkataon or sinadya, hindi po natin masasabi dahil talaga pong ang First Lady ay tumutugon sa ganitong mga klase ng mga activities. Pero maganda na rin po ang nangyaring pagkakataon na nagkataon dahil nagkita sila mismo nang personal ni Manibela chairman,” she added.
Castro noted that the direct interaction yielded a favorable outcome, emphasizing that face-to-face dialogues often build trust and alleviate apprehensions among stakeholders.
”Naging maganda ang tugon dahil minsan mas maganda talaga kapag nagkikita nang personal, mas nararamdaman ang sincerity at mas nararamdaman din ng mga taong nagkakaroon nang agam-agam,” Castro said.
”Kapag nagkaroon ka nang agam-agam at naramdaman mo na iyong tao na kausap mo ay may sincerity ay naiibsan iyong takot, iyong fear,” she elaborated.
According to the Palace official, Valbuena responded positively after sensing the First Lady’s sincerity and hearing her plea for the group to reconsider holding transport strikes.
While acknowledging that state assistance cannot fully resolve every concern within the sector, Castro reiterated the administration’s willingness to support public utility drivers and operators.
”Pero sa ganitong klaseng pamamaraan makikita po natin na handa ang gobyerno na maibsan ang nararamdamang hirap, agam-agam ng atin mga tsuper, ng mga operators dito sa transport sector,” Castro stated.