By Anthony A. Araos
Asipulo is an upland town of Ifugao undoubtedly blessed with tourist attractions. It is also fortunate to have a legislator who is tirelessly providing assistance to disadvantaged folks.
Now, certainly it is going to be more challenging for Asipulo Councilor Juan Piggangay Jr. when he works along with re-elected Philippine Councilors League (PCL) Ifugao chapter head Karen Luglug of Banaue, as one of its board directors.
That’s why it’s more difficult and yet fulfilling to be a lawmaker from a far-away town like him and that’s why in all likelihood, his success in this new-found role shall be influenced by some factors.
And now, with the hotly-contested polls over, the chapter’s first meeting will become a time for coming together of councilors across the province, which tells this organization a thing or two about the democratic space that exists to ensure the promotion of quality legislation.
“This election is a humbling experience that shall teach me lessons to work harder,” Piggangay said.
“The strong support from my colleagues motivates me to go above and beyond in order to repay their trust and confidence,” he added.
Piggangay obtained 65 votes, the same number Councilor Eric Jason Dugyon of Lagawe tallied in the said polls.
The PCL has members from the country’s 1,462 towns and cities. It has done its competitors one better Municipal and city ABC and SK federation presidents are also eligible to vote in chapter elections. Not surprisingly, the Ifugao Chapter of the PCL electoral exercise is no small deal. Its president sits as an ex-officio member of the powerful and influencial Sangguniang Panlalawigan.
Thus, this chapter is expected to promote balanced development and equitable distribution of wealth, resources and opportunities. Ifugao, one of the country’s poorest provinces, has 11 towns.
Ifugao’s vulnerabilities are currently being put in sharp focus with the mounting poverty problem, requiring the government’s urgent and strategic responses.
An important challenge, therefore, is ensuring equitable access to the decision-making process of this chapter.
Since no bloc of councilors hold a monopoly of insights into the future, the PCL must be democratic. Well-meaning and forward-looking councilors are vitally needed. But the PCL will not succeed if it is under the control of inept officers. Good, intelligent and strong-willed officers mush help lead, in fact, initiate reforms to ensure a better tomorrow.
Even now Ifugao councilors should be looking into the messages of the event’s guests. Baguio City councilors Elmer Datuin and Leandro Yangot witnessed the polls. Datuin is the national advocacy chairman of the PCL and Yangot is the PCL-CAR chairman.
Datuin held top posts of the PCL in the past. He has been pushing for them to serve with integrity and excellence with Filipino sense of community. That is why it is very important that Councilor Piggangay find and engage like-minded councilors in the PCL.
Piggangay has been recognized for his work in promoting agriculture and peace and order in Asipulo and championing infrastructure development.
Piggangay, who served the Philippine National Police (PNP) for 28 years, is the chairman of the committee on transportation and communications and committee on health and sanitation at the Sangguniang Bayan.
Listening to the voice of neophyte Councilor Piggangay may work even better for the strategy of enabling economic growth in remote communities with high potentials thus providing better opportunities in the countryside, thereby achieving inclusive growth.
Councilors should keep in mind how they have been united under the PCL toward a common goal. Their constituents need more than hap-hazard attempts to commend so- and so through a resolution. Filipinos need a systematic approach to contain the high cost of living. For its part, the PCL should come up with relevant and meaningful programs and projects thereby ensuring its sustainability.
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