LAGAWE, Ifugao – – The Ifugao chapter of the Philippine Councilors League (PCL), one of the most active chapters of the PCL in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), held recently its convention at the Palaisdaan Restaurant and Hotel in Bagabag, Nueva Vizcaya.
Led by chapter president Alberto Binlang Jr., a councilor of Kiangan town, Ifugao’s councilors from 11 municipalities are gearing up for the challenges facing them in the next three years. This comes from the heels of the chapter’s September 14 election of officers’ activity. Councilor Binlang, who also serves as a Board Member, is not running for re-election in the said polls. Councilors Raldis Andrei Bulayungan of Kiangan and Maximillan Luglug of Hingyon are contesting the presidency, a much-coveted positon since the Ifugao PCL president is an ex-officio member of the powerful and influential Sangguniang Panlalawigan.
Other positions are also up for grabs such as the vice president, secretary general, treasurer, auditor and board directors. Undoubtedly, however, all eyes are on whom among the two presidential bets shall emerge the winner and ultimately succeed Councilor Binlang.
Banaue Councilor Chester Bahatan is the chapter’s vice president. With an unsullied reputation and unwavering commitment required of such position, Councilor Bahatan is a major pillar of the PCL-Ifugao chapter since 2013.
Exhortations by Governor Pedro Mayam-o and Vice Governor Jose Jordan Gullitiw for the councilors to strive more in their legislative work likewise spelled the big difference in ensuring the convention’s rousing success. The councilors gained much insight from their thoughts, as well as the convention’s sessions and socialization at the latter part of the activity.
“Over the course of the PCL-Ifugao chapter’s history, its officers have contributed a lot to the growth and development of the province. With more dedicated leaders to rise from its ranks, it is not hard to say that our people shall benefit from our councilors,” said Governor Mayam-o in an interview with the ZigZag Weekly.
The convention, Vice Governor Gullitiw asserted, should be able to strengthen the chapter’s ties with the Sangguniang Panlalawigan in its advocacy for good governance.
“With the help of our councilors, and the synergy of all other officials in Ifugao, we can surely promote the well-being of the people,” Vice Governor Gullitiw said in an interview with the ZigZag Weekly.
In a separate and exclusive interview, Councilor Binlang underscored the need for the councilors “to continue working hard for the people so that their living conditions will get better.”
Obviously, Binlang’s call for steadfast commitment to public service among the province’s councilors is reverberating.
Even with just a few weeks in office at the provincial board, Councilor Binlang is tirelessly pursuing endeavors to promote the welfare of his colleagues and many others. All told, he is set to leave the Sangguniang Panlalawigan and the Office of the Ifugao PCL President with the legacy of continuously serving and protecting the province for the satisfaction of the common good of all.
Across two offices and six years of public service, Councilor Binlang has proven that he is a man of action and sensitive to the needs of the marginalized sectors.
Still, having two distinguished aspirants for the chapter president, a successor to Binlang, the forthcoming electoral exercise at the PCL-Ifugao chapter is bound to attract considerable attention. The elections are set in Lagawe.
Regardless of the candidate for president they choose to support, members of the PCL-Ifugao chapter all share the same vision: for the province and the people to progress and prosper.
It’s theme, “Effective Local Legislation for Responsive Community Development,” is indeed, very apt as it emphasizes the need to elevate the standards of local legislation a notch higher to refocus programs and strategies aimed at addressing the people’s problems and complement the reformist agenda of the Duterte administration.
Binlang expressed optimism that the presence of several other noted resource speakers shall inspire and motivate his colleagues to do their utmost in enacting laws in the best interest of the people.
Other speakers include DILG-Ifugao Provincial Director Rosario Dumelod, Local Government Operations Officer VI Samson Appoy of the same office, Sangguniang Panlalawigan Secretary Miguel Dimalnat Jr. and Tabuk City Vice Mayor Darwin Estranero, who earned praises from the participants after he sounded the vitality of adopting some of the best practices of the said city in Kalinga province. He was highly-applauded for sharing his experiences as the presiding officer of the Sanguniang Panlungsod.
The PCL-Ifugao chapter can easily attain its goals in the coming years if the next president could deliver on his promises to accelerate development of competency of councilors. It’s quite achievable given the strong support and assistance of the DILG-Ifugao office personnel. There is hardly any doubt the DILG-Ifugao office is their partner.
The value of the legislative work of a councilor lies in the fact that his or her function is to make laws, called ordinances, for the municipality.
The sanggunian appropriates funds for the various projects of the municipal government intended at promoting the general welfare of the local government unit and its inhabitants.
Mary Cabbigat, a staff of Vice Governor Gullitiw, also took part in the convention. An advocate for just and righteous governance, Mrs. Cabbigat, in her doxology, infused into the hearts and minds of the councilors the importance of placing the Almighty Creator in the center of their lives.
Also in attendance were Board Member Federico Juguiad Jr. of Aguinaldo, some vice mayors and a fairly good number of councilors. Interestingly, councilors from far-away towns even registered high attendance rates. A lone Lagawe councilor attended the long-day affair. Another municipality had zero attendance.
With the convention now over, it is hoped that the councilors not just focus on the agenda of their Sangguniang Bayan, but also on the track record and platform of governance of the candidates in the September 14 polls. Closely scrutinizing their qualifications and engaging them in interactive discussions, is also most helpful in their choice for the next PCL-Ifugao chapter head.** By Anthony A. Araos