QUEZON CITY– Yielding to the request of the family of the late Congressman Maximo B. Dalog, House Speaker Pantaleon D. Alvarez has designated Kalinga Representative Allen Jesse C. Mangaoang as Legislative Caretaker of the Lone District of Mountain Province effective July 5, 2017 by virtue of HREP Memorandum Order No. 17-94.
The office became vacant with the death of Dalog last June 5, 2017 at the age of 70. He was serving his third and last term.
Atty. Cyphrine Maxcel Dalog, Chief of Staff of Mountain Province’s Congressional Office affirmed it was the family’s prayer that Rep. Mangaoang be designated as caretaker, citing the following reasons: The late Cong. Dalog and Cong. Mangaoang are both members of the same party, the Nacionalista Party; Cong. Mangaoang is also from Mountain Province, her mother being a native of Sagada; and Cong. Mangaoang is aware of Cong. Dalog’s vision for Mountain Province because as a neophyte representative, the latter has been with him as mentor and adviser.
“We believe that Cong. Mangaoang personally feels, understands and knows the plight and needs of our province in so far as legislation is concerned because of the aforementioned reasons,” she said.
“This being said and done, we assure that the programs and services as envisioned by Cong. Dalog will advance in favor of the people of Mountain Province especially that of our medical assistance, educational assistance, social services and infrastructure development. In addition, the House measures filed and co-authored by him will be pursued at the House of Representatives and the Senate until such bills will reach their approval into law,” Atty. Dalog added.
With Cong. Mangaoang’s designation as legislative caretaker, Atty. Dalog is also pleading with the people of Mountain Province to unite by setting aside political and personal aspirations, and instead prioritize the province’s development. “Let us continue to do what is best for Mountain Province,” she said.
The Speaker has also extended the services of the current plantilla staff of the late Cong. Dalog until 2019.
Meanwhile, Representative Mangaoang has readily accepted his designation. In a statement, the Kalinga solon said he is honored to have been designated by Speaker Alvarez as caretaker of Mountain Province. “Together with the staff of the late Congressman Dalog, we will try our best to continue the legislative agenda, plans, program, projects and advocacy of the late congressman for the best interest of Mountain Province so that, quoting the late Cong. Dalog, “By the grace of Almighty God, gumawis pay koma nan Mountain Province” (By the grace of the Almighty God, Mountain Province will become even better), Mangaoang said.
“With this designation, I wish as well to convey my heartfelt thanks to the family of the late Manong Max and the people of Mountain Province for giving me the trust and confidence to become their caretaker,” he added.
Representative Mangaoang has also written all local chief executives, heads of offices and line agencies to address all communications, issues and concerns affecting Mountain Province to the undersigned through Atty. Cyphrine Maxcel Y. Dalog at the following addresses: North Wing 219, House of Representatives, Constitutional Hills, Quezon City, 1126 or Congressional District Office 4th Floor, Provincial Capitol Building, Bontoc, Mountain Province.** Erlindo Agwilang, Jr.
