Senatorial candidate Luis “Manong Chavit” Singson, together with his son Christian Luis Singson, met with the presidents of 44 NGOs in a private gathering at a restaurant in Quezon City. The event aimed to showcase Manong Chavit’s initiatives to improve the lives of Filipinos, as well as to foster collaboration among various organizations.

The event was attended by notable figures such as PNP-Accredited NGOs president Elizier Bongabong, National Senior Citizen Advocate Association of the Philippines (NSCAAP) founder Sultan Col. Jerito Adigue, and Community Anti-Crime Group (CACG) and Ka-Tropa founder Elmer Bernardo. The 44 NGOs present are all SEC-registered and recognized under the PNP Ka-Taguyod program.

Elmer Bernardo opened the event, expressing his gratitude for Manong Chavit’s presence and highlighting his consistency and reliability.

“May isang salita! Ayan si Manong Chavit,” Bernardo stated.

(His word is his bond! That is Manong Chavit.)

Elizier Bongabong followed with a brief introduction, praising Manong Chavit’s longstanding support for community-driven initiatives.

In his speech, Manong Chavit expressed his admiration for the Fraternal Order of Eagles, saying, “Ang eagle ang isa sa mga pinaka-masayang organisasyon na napuntahan ko.” He emphasized the value of camaraderie and unity within such groups, which aligns with his vision for a better Philippines.

(The Eagles is one of the happiest organizations I've been to.)

Manong Chavit introduced several of his initiatives, starting with VBank, an accessible online banking platform designed to address the needs of the 77 percent of Filipinos who remain unbanked.

“Madaling mag-register. Itapat niyo lang yung mukha niyo sa face recognition tapos pag nagberde, okay na. Napaka-importante ng bank account para sa mga tao, lalo na sa mga negosyante at OFWs,” he explained.

(It's easy to register. Just position your face for the face recognition, and once it turns green, you're good to go. Bank accounts are very important for people, especially for business owners and OFWs.)

He also shared his plan to establish economic zones across the country to drive growth and provide jobs for Filipinos, as well as to encourage investors into the Philippines. In addition, he underscored the need for a nationwide shift to electric jeepneys, maintaining its iconic design, as part of his modernization program, also funding it to expedite the reduction of pollution in the country.

One of the most compelling parts of his speech was his proposal for a universal basic income program, which he called “Chavit 500.”

“Pag nanalo ako, una kong gagawin ay puro tulong sa taong bayan. Gagawin ko ang ginagawa sa ibang bansa — universal basic income — and tatawagin ko itong 'Chavit 500,'” he declared. The program would provide direct monthly financial aid to Filipinos through VBank, avoiding graft and corruption.

(If I win, the first thing I will do is provide help to the people. I will implement what I have done in other countries — universal basic income — and I will call it 'Chavit 500.')

Manong Chavit concluded his speech by reaffirming his commitment to uplifting Filipino lives.

“Ito ang batas na talagang makakatulong sa ating mga kababayan!” he said, drawing applause from the audience.

(This is the law that will truly help our fellow countrymen.)

The meeting not only showcased Manong Chavit’s passion for public service but also underscored the vital role of NGOs in achieving meaningful change.