LAGAWE, Ifugao – – Outgoing Board Member Alberto Binlang Jr. of Kiangan expressed confidence over the results of the just-concluded Philippine Councilors League (PCL)- Ifugao chapter elections as Councilor Maximillan Luglug of Hingyon registered a landslide win in the presidential race.
With 71 votes, Councilor Luglug emerged as the new PCL-Ifugao chapter president, bringing to a closure of the highly-contested race for the top post. He shall serve as a board member in concurrent capacity since the Ifugao’s PCL head also sits as an ex-officio member of the powerful and influential Sangguniang Panlalawigan.
The presidency was also contested by Councilor Raldis Andrei Bulayungan of Kiangan. Bulayungan, a lawyer, obtained 28 votes.
Councilor Luglug brings with him exemplary qualities and a distinct brand of leadership as he assumes the PCL-Ifugao chapter presidency.
Mr. Luglug’s presidency is committed to carrying on the noble goals of PCL. The PCL is pursuing the development and continues refinement of the skills and talents of its members through seminars and workshops.
Councilor Luglug thanked his colleagues for their support.
Binlang, in turn, was elected as vice president. Like Councilor Luglug and the other winning aspirants, Binlang shall serve a term of three years.
Binlang, a long time lawmaker with a remarkable record, also observed that all key organizational indicators were positive in the last three years, with the high turn-out of members (100 percent attendance was recorded) in the polls and successful staging of its convention. He served as PCL-Ifugao chapter president from 2013 to 2016.
“Our councilors are actively taking part in the all-important activities as well as projects of the PCL-Ifugao chapter and this is indeed a very good sign,” Binlang asserted.
In an exclusive interview with the Zigzag Weekly, Binlang rightly pointed out: “Surely, the various measures that the chapter has put in place in all of its programs and projects are the kind that the councilors would want to be equipped with.”
In fact, many of them now want Councilor Luglug to continue the noteworthy actions and initiatives of his predecessor.
And with the desire to uplift the conditions of the people, most especially the poor, Councilor Binlang endeavored to ensure that there is improved leadership capacity of the aldermen in the area of legislative work.
Now, its Councilor Luglug’s turn to sustain efforts geared at gaining knowledge and insights on the councilors’ role in promoting the well-being of the people with the support of the officialdom and civil society organizations.
For his part, former PCL-Ifugao chapter vice president Chester Bahatan of Banaue pointed out that he “strongly believe that the support of each one is vital for this worthy undertaking to succeed.”
Others elected were Councilors James Taleb of Kiangan, secretary general; Reynold Kimayong of Lagawe, treasurer; Gemma Demog of Kiangan, auditor; Ronnie Gumatin of Hingyon, public relations officer; and Davis Pulao of Lagawe, business manager.
Board of directors are Pablo Cuyahon of Hungduan, Angel Tanguiling of Lagawe, William Taganas of Alfonso Lista, Ricky Uchayan of Aguinaldo, Jayson Bayawon of Kiangan, Peter Gannaban of Mayoyao, Michael Pindog of Tinoc and Delfin Baligon of Hingyon.
In a post-election interview conducted just about 20 minutes after he took his oath-of-office, Councilor Luglug made assurance that he shall address resolutely concerns affecting the councilors. He (as well as the other officers) was sworn into office by Tabuk City Councilor Antonio Bakilan, who is the PCL-Cordillera Administrative Region chapter president.
One of the key strategies to attain this is to further hold consultation meetings with members.
“We want the very best for our councilors, and we are totally committed to this vision,” Councilor Luglug said.
With this simple but meaningful activity, some other developments were observed. For one, women empowerment is still an elusive dream. Councilor Demog’s triumph prevented a shut-out of female councilors who sought to serve the chapter. As it is, women are not reasonably well represented in the chapter.
Relative to this, some councilors expressed optimism that the number of female legislators shall dramatically increase in the coming years, saying their confidence is anchored on the overall effort and commitment of the Duterte administration to empower women.
Building on the reformist agenda of the Duterte administration, which is focused on curbing criminality and corruption, new PCL officers are expected to strongly underscore the need for timely, specific and sector-centered government interventions.
On the other hand, Asipulo, Banaue and Lamut towns are unrepresented in the new chapter.
One of the seemingly positive outcome of the chapter’s polls that was held in Lagawe was a unwritten commitment of most councilors to support the programs of the Mayam-o’s administration.
The PCL is presently headed by Baguio City Councilor Elmer Datuin. Datuin, a lawyer is the national chairman. Dagupan City Councilor Maybelyn Fernandez is the national president. The 26-year-old PCL has more than 16,000 city and municipal councilors in its roster.
The PCL-Ifugao chapter has served the province and its people in various roles. It provided years after years of leaders in law, justice and civil society.
Verily, the newly-installed officers of the PCL-Ifugao chapter face a lot of challenges. They must in the next three years and even beyond, continue without let-up, in ensuring better lives for their constituents. They should go out of their way to ensure the countless residents in the province are lifted out of the poverty cycle. For it is important to establish the cause or causes of poverty incidence in Ifugao to guarantee that the PCL-Ifugao chapter poverty mitigation program will directly address the problem leading to its gradual or complete elimination. They should make sure that problems are addressed head on because in history the province’s problems are bigger right now that any other time. **By Anthony A. Araos
