BAGUIO CITY – – Even before Benguet vice mayors went to work for the reorganization of their Vice Mayors League of the Philippines (VMLP) chapter at a meeting in Inglay Restaurant at La Trinidad, Benguet, the scramble to keep the election of officers had begun.
The impasse, which had lasted for nearly thirty five minutes had ensued after lively arguments were raised by some members on provisions related to the election of officers as stipulated in the VMLP’s constitution and by-laws. Particularly, section 1 on definition of terms of the league’s election policy and guidelines and it states that “only the member in good standing can vote in any VMLP elections.” Further, it says that “only the member in good standing can qualify as a candidate in any VMLP elections.”
Apparently, the problem centered on the matter that cites “a member of good standing is the vice mayor who has paid the term membership fee of Php30,000 as per VMLP CBL.” A vice mayor has a one-time payment or installment basis option to comply in settling membership dues.
That left VMLP-Benguet chapter vulnerable to questions here and there from its members that could knock the election altogether.
Fortunately, a compromise was reached by them following a query and recommendation offered by Baguio City Vice Mayor Faustino Olowan.
“The importance of our presence in this meeting and payments for membership settled in part take nothing away from the essence of being a member of good standing of the Vice Mayors League of the Philippines,” Olowan pointed out.
“Rather, this is a proof of one’s commitment and willingness to pay.” Vice Mayor Olowan added. He is also a lawyer,
All told, Vice Mayor Olowan was overwhelmingly supported by his colleagues. With no further obstacles or hitches to overcome, the election of officers segment of the meeting finally proceeded.
Sablan Vice Mayor Arthur Baldo Jr, emerged winner of the chapter’s highest position, thus, is the president of the 13-member organization. Supporting him in his advocacy to elevate the chapter to greater heights are Vice Mayors Mayo Eslay, vice president; Juan Esnara, secretary; Maria Carantes, treasurer; Edwin Nation, auditor; and Edward Buscol, public relations officer. Board directors are Vice Mayors Angelito Galao, Pedro Anton, Faustino Olowan, Adriano Carantes, Roderick Caingan and Joseph Denver Tongacan.
After the proclamation of the winners, they were subsequently sworn into office. Representatives of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) assisted them throughout the meeting.
As it is, a new chapter into the VMLP-Benguet Chapter was opened on an engaging and fruitful pitch. Notice how strongly the views expressed by its members stressed this fact.
Holding these lofty positions at the VMLP-Benguet Chapter, however, comes with big responsibilities.
For one, the vice mayor plays an integral role in spurring the city or town’s growth and development. In this case, Benguet’s vice mayors known stance of fully supporting the agriculture sector isn’t surprising. Benguet province supplies nearly 80 percent of the vegetable requirements of the main island of Luzon.
It was a marvelous day for the province’s vice mayors because they felt upbeat on the prospects of their chapter with their esteemed leader in the person of Vice Mayor Baldo at the helm.
Relatedly and immediately, Vice Mayor Baldo reminded chapter members to prepare for a major gathering of Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) mayors and vice mayors at Subic Freeport in Zambales and the VMLP Regional Assembly sometime in October of this year.
Their works in the next three years or so shall reflect the dreams and aspirations of each Filipino and their actions shall make a lasting impact in their lives.
“The harmonious tie among members of the VMLP-Benguet Chapter suggests a rather strong and optimistic outlook for the future and this is beneficial for our people,” Vice Mayor Esnara told the ZigZag Weekly.
“There is significant relationship among members,” Esnara, also a lawyer, added.
Verily, the VMLP-Benguet Chapter is even in a more delicate position than minutes before the election of officers because of the challenges ahead in serving the people faithfully and dutifully without letup.
Why does modern-day Philippines consistently portray a vice mayor as a mere spare tire? Could it be that many really don’t grasp the importance of his or her work and what it means for them in terms of governance? Truth to tell, the office of the vice mayor is a springboard of the nation’s future leaders.
A cash-strapped farmer in Mankayan town wondered about the purpose of having a vice mayor just as many do in Itogon, Atok, Tuba and Kabayan today. He wondered why the government is so concerned with what a vice mayor is doing in his or her locality and what role farmers like him have in the development agenda of a vice mayor at the Sangguniang Bayan (municipal council) or the Sangguniang Panlungsod (city council). Each office of the vice mayor was created for a purpose, but few understand what that great purpose is. Do you?
So much is happening in Benguet, and so quickly at that. How can Benguet folks make sense of their vice mayors? The incoming actions and initiatives of the Vice Mayors League of the Philippines-Benguet Chapter shall surely offer an eye-opening perspective so badly needed by their constituents – the perspective of good governance at all times. **By Anthony A. Araos
