Women’s group backs Binay’s presidential bid

MANILA, Philippines - A women’s group has thrown its support to the presidential candidacy of Vice President Jejomar Binay in 2016. Kababaihan ng Maynila Foundation executive director Evelyn Atienza said they believe in Binay’s commitment to promote the welfare of women. "We believe that Jojo Binay is the most qualified to become the next president because he responds to the advocacy of the Kababaihan ng Maynila,” she said. The group was founded by Binay’s ally and Atienza’s husband, Buhay party-list Rep. Lito Atienza, in 1984. Atienza said the Vice President can expect the support of the organization’s 25,000 active members all over Manila. Kababaihan ng Maynila Foundation is a non-profit, non-government organization that provides livelihood and skills training programs for women from depressed communities in the city of Manila. In his speech at the foundation’s 31st anniversary last Saturday, Binay recognized the women’s role in promoting Filipino values and improving the economy. "One-third of the small and medium enterprises are owned or managed by women. These include eateries, sari-sari stores, tailoring shops, etc. These are small businesses but are the ones boosting the economy,” the Vice President said. Binay said 60 percent of the country’s gross domestic product comes from the informal sector, citing data from the Philippine Institute for Development Studies showing that 90 percent of Filipino businesses are small and medium scale industries. He said it is imperative that the government strengthens the country’s small and medium enterprises, noting that 60 to 80 percent of the country’s labor force are employed by small business.//