Inspired by Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao’s first privilege speech, members of the House of Representatives’ minority and majority blocs vowed on Wednesday to cross partylines in pursuing the dream of snatching the country’s first gold medal in the next Olympics.

Majority stalwarts Reps. Mark Llandro Mendoza (NPC, Batangas), Eleandro Jesus Madrona (LP, Romblon), and Dan Fernandez (LP, Laguna) said legislative measures seeking additional support for the country’s athletes should be prioritized in Congress.

Opposition Rep. Ignacio Arroyo (Lakas-Kampi-CMD, Negros Occidental) said Pacquiao would serve as an inspiration for Filipino athletes to attempt to excel in their respective fields.

“He showed his sincerity to serve, we will support him,” said Mendoza, former vice chairman of the House Committee on Youth and Sports Development.

Pacquiao drew cheers from his colleagues in delivering his first privilege speech that revealed his aspirations for his constituents in Sarangani and his appeal for unity among solons to help athletes secure the elusive Olympic gold medal.

Pacquiao, who was the first of 122 congressional neophytes to deliver a privilege speech, rallied colleagues to “work together and to work very hard” to help Filipino athletes capture the first gold medal in the Olympics.

Interspersing his speech with quotes from poet Robert Frost and famous boxing ring announcer Michael Buffer, Pacquiao said his humble side by admitting to the 227 congressmen present that he was awed by the thought that he is in their midst.

“Kaya pagpasensyahan n’yo po si Manny Pacquiao kung mahuli ninyo akong nakatitig sa inyo paminsan-minsan. Paghanga lang po sa inyong lahat, Honorable Ma’ams and Sirs!” he said.

Delivering a major part of his speech in English, Pacquiao, who had been adjudged fighter of the decade, said 40 percent of his constituents have “no adequate housing, no adequate food and no proper nutrition.”

“For me poverty was an actual experience. I know what it feels like to do without a home, to do without food, I know what’s its like to go hungry. That was me for the first half of my life,” he declared.

Pacquiao, who was ranked by Fortune Magazine as the eighth richest athlete in the world, vowed to push for diversification of industries and agriculture in Sarangani as one way of improving the lives of his constituents.

“We will improve the production, post harvest, and marketing processes for corn rice and coconut,” he vowed.

He said livelihood and public health occupy the top portions of his legislative agenda. Next is education.

“These three are the most important, most critical things to pursue,” Pacquiao stated.

He said access to transportation and telecommunications are likewise vital part of his legislative work.

“We will also adhere to the principles of transparent and accountable governance. We will be open to scrutiny of the people we serve,” said Pacquiao who used to be  a bakery errand boy.

The Sarangani native added: “Finally, we envision a Sarangani with a highly livable and sustainable environment. We will implement a reforestation plan in which each barangay must preserve or plant a five-hectare forest area.”

But Pacquiao said, everything will not be local as far as his job in the House is concerned.