LAGAWE, IFUGAO – – Lagawe folks are bullish on the development prospects of the town as they took the news on the bright note that newcomer Jansen Roldan emerged victorious in the May midterm elections.
When Roldan filed his certificate of candidacy (CoC) sometime in October last year here for councilor, he surely made one of the most important and life-changing decisions he ever took in life.
During the 45-day campaign period, the 46-year-old Roldan never hesitated to ask voters to support his bid, he campaigned hard in several sitios, most of them isolated and nestled in remote villages. He tirelessly pitched his message to the town’s 20 barangays. He believes that face-to-face, house-to-house engagement with villagers would be most helpful to his cause.
Like the other 18 aspirants, he’ll be faced with a compelling question: What will he do at the Sangguniang Bayan (SB) for the next three years? This is a question Roldan can only answer after he obtained 5, 193 votes. All told, it was good for eighth place.
Roldan, a resident of mid-size Barangay Poblacion South, ran as an independent. The village has 896 registered voters. There are 13,775 registered voters in Lagawe.
Most recently in Lagawe’s political history, aspiring SB members identified with the powers-that-be at the municipal hall have stronger chances of winning during elections. A few independent ones emerged in the victory column only to drift later to the administration camp. Three of the incoming councilors are with the Lakas-CMD, the country’s largest political party.
Roldan is a holder of a Bachelors of Science degree in industrial technology. His listed work experiences include being a foreman and indigenous people’s desk officer. He has trainings in pollution control, construction safety and health as well as loss control management. He also has interest in nursery establishment and seedling production.
Educated folks say that Councilor-elect Roldan’s presence at the SB can drastically change the face of governance which they see as a major concern for so long.
Access to quality social services to the people, most especially in marginalized villages should not be denied or abridged. Unblemished services are the order of the day. Councilors have to straighten their acts, follow the local government code.
The council race result does not come as a surprise. Years of inaction led to poor performance of come backing ones. Today, Lagawe is confronted with a host of problems, each of which requires an outright and basic solution, government sincerity, political will and common sense.
A councilor is tasked to approve ordinances and pass resolutions required for an efficient and effective municipal government.
Lagawe folks can anticipate witnessing real changes in the town. Its advancement and development offer a lot for poverty-stricken people.
Roldan may later need to have a heart-to-heart talk with these folks. It will feel good to take such action. What could the new SB offer? By doing so, Roldan shall ultimately be recognized for his contributions to the town’s progress and development. One could then say Lagawe is fortunate to have a legislator who is up to the job of fulfilling his promise to promote the people’s well being.
Apart from Roldan, others in a similar celebratory mood indeed Mayor-elect Lesli Roy Nayahangan, Vice Mayor-elect Gregorio Dangayo and Councilors elect Jay Gulf Luglug, Boone Buhong, Eric Jason Dugyon, Neil Wangiwang, Marlon Bandao, Reynold Kimayong and Vilma Alcayna. **By Anthony A. Araos
