Iza Aldana
Feb 18, 2026
Businessman, father of four vows public hospital, higher wages, fair elections for Antipolo
ANTIPOLO CITY, RIZAL — Businessman and congressional aspirant Noel “Red” Llaga laid down a no-nonsense platform as he formally explained his decision to seek a seat in Congress, zeroing in on what he calls Antipolo’s most urgent failures: health care, employment, and education.
Llaga, a long-time resident of Antipolo City and a father of four, said his growing involvement in community service pushed him to step into national politics.
“In every service we deliver, the help is real—health care, education, housing, livelihood, across all sectors,” Llaga said.
NO PUBLIC TERTIARY HOSPITAL: ‘UNACCEPTABLE’
At the center of Llaga’s campaign is a hard push for the construction of a DOH-run government tertiary hospital in Antipolo, a city with a population of over one million but without a major public hospital directly operated by the national government.
“We need a large government hospital so our people won’t be forced to travel to Marikina, Quezon City, or Manila just to get treated,” he stressed.
Llaga called the situation “long overdue” and said access to affordable health care should not depend on where a patient lives.
PUSH FOR MANILA-RATE WAGES, MORE JOBS
On the economic front, Llaga vowed to fight for the conversion of Antipolo’s minimum wage from provincial to Manila rate, arguing that workers are being left behind despite the city’s rapid growth.
He also plans to attract more investors and boost tourism to expand local employment, while ramping up job fairs, skills training, and online work opportunities such as call center jobs, virtual assistance, video editing, and other digital services.
“If jobs are here, people don’t have to leave. Even from home, you should be able to earn,” Llaga said.
CALL FOR CLEAN, FAIR SPECIAL ELECTION
With a special election approaching, Llaga called for a transparent, credible, and peaceful vote, urging strict adherence to the rules under the supervision of the Commission on Elections.
“What matters is clear basis, correct counting, and results the public can trust,” he said.
STAND AGAINST POLITICAL DYNASTIES
Llaga also voiced support for a strong and fair anti-political dynasty law, emphasizing that the issue is not personal but systemic.
“We are not angry at politicians. What needs fixing is the system—so capable people, whether new or experienced, can truly serve,” he said.
CIVIC LEADER ROOTED IN SERVICE
Beyond politics, Llaga described himself as a civic leader, having served as a Lions Club president in the United States and currently leading the Antipolo chapter. He said effective leadership must be grounded in faith, balance, and genuine concern for the people.
As his campaign gains momentum, Llaga said his goal is simple but firm: deliver concrete solutions to problems Antipolo residents have endured for far too long.