The Kaunlad Pinoy (#133) partylist has officially made its presence felt in Davao City with a clear message: It’s time for the rest of the Philippines to rise and rival Metro Manila.

Backed by years of grassroots work and livelihood programs in Mindanao, Kaunlad Pinoy is pushing for a major shift in focus — one that brings more opportunities to the regions.

Leading the charge is first nominee Kuya Choi, a seasoned livelihood advocate.

Upon arrival, the team wasted no time and jumped straight into dialogues with small business owners, cooperatives, and community leaders — many of whom had already benefited from Kaunlad Pinoy’s NegoNation programs long before the group entered politics.

“Metro Manila has always been seen as the finish line,” Kuya Choi said during a town hall in Matina. “But why should it be the only place where dreams come true? Davao has the talent, the discipline, and the drive to become just as competitive — if not more.”

Shifting the focus beyond the capital

Kuya Choi pointed out that decades of centralized development have left the regions lagging far behind the capital. Kaunlad Pinoy seeks to rebalance this by championing the provinces as engines of growth — not just as labor pools or resource providers.

“If we invest in regions like Davao — with proper funding, training, and infrastructure — we can build thriving local economies that keep families together and dreams alive, without forcing people to migrate to already overcrowded Metro Manila,” he explained.

One small vendor who previously received assistance through Kaunlad Pinoy’s programs shared: “They didn’t wait to run for office to start helping. That’s what makes this different. They’ve walked the talk.”

Throughout the week, Kaunlad Pinoy will tour Davao City and nearby districts to reconnect with cooperatives and entrepreneurs. The group also plans to pilot new models for sustainable community markets, regional production hubs, and improved logistics systems — all aimed at making the local economy more self-reliant and future-ready.

“Our dream is that no one should have to leave their hometown to succeed,” he said. “We envision a Philippines where Davao, Cebu, Bicol and all other regions stand shoulder to shoulder with Metro Manila — not behind it.”