Kusog Bikolandia, the regional political party of Bikolanos

KUSOG BIKOLANDIA is a regional political party of Bikolanos whose roots come from the provinces of Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay, Catanduanes, Sorsogon and Masbate that comprise the Bicol region and those who may have settled in other places where Bikolano communities flourish. KB’s formation as a regional political party is a result of people from a common territory and culture firming up their common political vision, ideology and aspiration. Founded on July 5, 2018 in a special assembly held in Pasay City, the KB has resolved to participate in the May 13, 2019 midterm elections and other electoral exercises. Our founding members include Noel N. De Luna, who is the chairman of the Executive Board; Atty. Jorge V. Sarmiento, president; and Carmelo Redencion T. de Leoz Jr., secretary general. The KB founding members also elected Atty. Roberto Rafael V. Lucila as executive vice president (EVP); Flor B. Azotea, treasurer; and the vice presidents for every province in Bikol, namely: Atty. Steve Resari, executive director and VP for Albay; Atty. Felix Brazil, VP for Camarines Sur; Juan Escandor, VP for Sorsogon/Masbate; Febes R. Rosales, VP for Camarines Norte, and; Fred Gianan, VP for Catanduanes. Marcelino M. Manuel has been named as governance officer and Jose B. Perez as VP for sectoral affairs. KB is not part of the party-list system. While the latter forms sectoral groups that primarily seek to promote sectoral interests and enhance representation, particularly among the marginalized and the underrepresented sectors in the corridors of power such as the House of Representatives, we, as a regional political party, advance our distinct political identity and ideology for Bikol progress and growth, just like the Pundok Kauswagan or Partido Panaghiusa in Cebu, the Partido Magdalo in Cavite, and the Hugpong Pagbabago in Davao. Although we may be focused more on local or domestic interests and confined to a smaller territory, we possess as much rights and privileges as a full-fledged political party just like PDP-Laban, Nacionalista Party, Nationalist People’s Coalition, Liberal Party, and others, whose reason for existence is guaranteed by our Philippine Constitution. As agenda-based political aggrupation, KB focuses its attention on concerns affecting the Bicol region. Its fundamental beliefs reflect the prevailing regional culture. We gather our strength and draw inspiration from our own people, such that we are independent and separate from other traditional national political parties but may enter into tactical alliances with other interest groups based on principle and commonality on regional aspiration and priorities. We, in the KB, subscribe to a Supreme Being who orchestrates all things in the universe. We agree to protect Nature which is the very basis of the survival and extinction of every living being in this planet. To widen the perspective of development, KB believes that the patriotic sense of the party is indispensable requirement for us to serve the common good and interest of Bicol, our fellowmen and family by endeavoring to be self-reliant. We espouse developmental values, participative governance and local government autonomy without sacrificing our nationalism. KB as a political party champions genuine social equality where majority of the Bikolanos shall have access to basic needs like health services, education, livelihood and emergency assistance, pension, shelter and job creation through tourism development. We shall also endeavor to institutionalize political reforms by developing and training potential regional and sectoral leaders, with emphasis on youth, who will nurture Filipino and Bikolano traits, values, and morality in public office.