Ilagan, Isabela (24 November) -- Governor Ma. Gracia Cielo M. Padaca welcomed the visit of Liberal Party presidential bet Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III to iron out some political preparations in the forthcoming 2010 elections.

Governor Padaca, a Liberal Party member herself since she entered politics, led other LP members and provincial officials of Isabela in welcoming Noynoy's party visiting the province.

Noynoy's party touched down at Cauayan City airport, then motored to Capitol gymnasium where Governor Padaca showed to Senator Noynoy the bulk of confiscated logs and lumber stressing her drive against illegal logging and concerns on climate change.

Senator Aquino also dropped by at the Isabela State University (ISU) - Ilagan where he had a breakfast meeting with school and provincial officials and interacted with students.

Senator Aquino also witnessed the weekly regular program of Governor Padaca's "Ugnayang Bayan" where Padaca personally meets local officials including people's and non-government organizations and hear and receive their requests and problems and immediately act on their pleas.

The Ugnayang Bayan is held regularly during Wednesdays at the Capitol Amphitheater but it was moved today for Senator Aquino's visit.

Padaca said Ugnayang Bayan also gave an opportunity for Isabelinos to interact with Senator Aquino during his visit here.

Aquino is also scheduled to visit the provinces of Cagayan and Pampanga purposely in preparation for the 2010 elections.

Sen. Aquino bares position on key issues in Cagayan

Leaders of the 'Makialam Movement' in Cagayan had conducted multi-sectoral consultation to expose the views of politicians who have the desire to run in the 2010 elections on the key issues prevailing in the province.

The movement has initiated the consultation and invited some aspiring politicians in the national and local elections to lay down their agenda in front of hundreds of audience from the different sectors of society.

The audience, dominated by college students, asked the political aspirants on their views on climate change, mining, education, graft and corruption, and poverty.

Sen. Noynoy Aquino, the presidentiable who was able to make it in the consultation, pointed out that government really has a big role in helping mitigate climate change by educating the pubic on the things to be done to reduce the greenhouse gases, and the preservation and protection of the environment.

He also said that mining is one reason of climate change that's why if the people believe that it is not beneficial to the majority than it must be respected.

On other issues, Aquino said unemployment must be addressed by means of giving real employment to the people and ensure the sustainability of their livelihood that will last long.

On education, he said there is a need to reform the basic education to 12-year cycle instead of just 10 years and include a plan for universal pre-school.

On good governance, Aquino said "to restore the people's trust in the government and national political leaders by installing leaders with proven track records of decency, integrity, transparency and accountability in public service and government".