“Yes, we are data driven very much, coming from Mayor Joy (Belmonte). But projects or numbers are not at the core of Aksyon Agad, kundi ang bawat tao at baway pamilyang naiaangat. At habang nandito tayo, habang may nangangailangan, ipagpapatuloy natin ang misyon dahil mas marami pa tayong gagawin at mas marami pa tayong matutulungan. Dahil ang paglilingkod ay hindi lang tungkulin, ito ay isang pangako na nais kong ipagpatuloy dito sa Distrito Uno,” Quezon City First District Congressman Arjo Atayde during his first State of the District Address.

We hear politicians promise the same thing, left and right, to the people they serve or about to serve. But when elected they become less and less approachable and their promises become more unreachable.

Coming from the entertainment industry, award-winning actor and congressman Arjo Atayde seems to always be serious to the work or project he enters. He puts his heart and soul into it, and public service isn’t different from that.

During his first State of the District Address, Arjo mentioned some of the achievements of his office during his term:

– 11,498 workers assisted through the TUPAD emergency employment program
– 1,500 applicants connected to overseas jobs through the Taiwan Job Fair
– 1,100 residents trained under TESDA and other livelihood initiatives
– 245 small entrepreneurs supported with ₱15,000 in capital via the Sustainable Livelihood Program
– 60 dialysis patients a day receiving free treatment at the district’s new facility
– 75,466 individuals provided with medical assistance
– 4,598 students receiving CHED educational aid, and 1,410 scholars supported under Tulong Dunong and SMART
– 132,567 families benefiting from the Rice Distribution Program
– 65,300 residents receiving free meals through Kusina on Wheels
– 64,000 families given Pamaskong Handog during the holiday season
– 7,789 families aided after fires and 3,501 families provided with burial assistance
– 40,684 individuals extended financial assistance for various needs

These are tangible results. For someone whose work is to create laws for his people, Arjo Atayde goes beyond that.

“Wala po ako dito kung hindi dahil sa inyo,” Arjo becomes emotional as he continues his speech. “First time, overwhelming, nandito kayo lahat,” Arjo goes off speech explaining why he became emotional.

“Wala po ako dito kung hindi dahil sa inyong tiwala, isang tiwalang hindi ko kailanman sisirain, kailanman ipagwa-walang bahala. Sa bawat oras na lumilipas, patuloy kong pagsisikapan at patutunayan na karapat-dapat ako sa pagkakataong binigay ninyo sa akin,” he continues.

We hear cheers from the audience—people who work with Arjo in public service. We also hear testimonials from Mayor Joy Belmonte and some from the audience who agree with Arjo’s statements.

“Isa sa mga pinakamahalagang bagay para sa akin ay ang mga relasyon na nabubuo at ang mga tiwala na binibigay lalo na kung galing ito sa nakakarami. Mula nung tayo’y naupo, isa po sa mga bagay na lubos kong ikinatuwa ay ang unting-unting paghilom sa pagitan ng mga magkaibigan na minsa’y nagkawatak-watak dahil sa pulitika pero unting-unting bumalik ang samahan sa ating distrito dahil sama-sama nating pinapaalala na ang eleksyon ay isang araw lamang pero ang pagkakaibigan at malasakit sa isa’t isa ay panghabang buhay. Ang kapangyarihan ay hindi permanente. Ito ay isang pagkakataon at tunay na totoong pagkakataon at responsibilidad na gumawa ng mabuti para sa kapwa. Isang oportunidad na mapabuti ang buhay ng iba. Patuloy po ako sa misyon ko dito sa distrito uno. Hindi naman ako perpektong kongresman, may mga pagkukulang, may mga bagay na dapat pang pagbutihin pero araw-araw kong pinipili na maglingkod dahil naniniwala ako na ang mga distrito uno ay karapat-dapat sa mas maginhawa at maayos na buhay. This is just the beginning. Sana tulungan ninyo ako na maipagpatuloy ko pa ito. Ang masasabi ko lang po, I won’t let you down and let’s go for round two,” Arjo as he ends his speech.

Watch our video coverage of his first State of the District Address: