Bontoc, Mtn. Prov. – The oath-taking for Mountain Province’s newly-elected provincial officials and the congressman-elect was held last June 28, 2019 at the Provincial Plaza in this capital town.
Incumbent and Governor-elect Bonifacio C. Lacwasan, Jr. took his oath of office before Judge Gaslito A. Dumpayan while Congressman-elect Maximo Y. Dalog, Jr., incumbent and Vice Governor-elect Francis O. Tauli and the elected board members from districts 1 and 2 took their respective oaths of office before Judge Sergio T. Angannay. They were accompanied on stage by their respective family members.
The newly-elected Sangguniang Panlalawigan members for district 1 are Federico E. Onsat, Janice L. Barillo, Alexander C. Claver and Joshua B. Fronda while Henry D. Bastian, Donato L. Danglose, Salvador K. Dalang and Randy T. Awisan are the new set of board members for district 2.
In their respective messages, the newly-elected officials thanked all their supporters and urged the people to support the elected officials; put hatred and heartaches behind from the recent election; and move on. They affirmed to work together in exercising their respective mandates as elected officials with the common goal of working for a more progressive Mountain Province.
With his fresh mandate, Lacwasan vowed to continue his administration’s programs to further strengthen the barangays. He said that the provincial government will continue to implement special programs which shall encompass various assistance to all the barangays.
The governor also stressed on the supposed good partnership between the executive and legislative branch of the provincial government for the fast delivery of needed services. He also committed to work with the office of the congressman and with the municipal officials of the 10 towns of the province in providing the necessary assistance to deliver the services of government to constituents.
“I believe that development in the different towns of the province will add to the progress of the province as a whole,” Lacwasan equipped.
As the incoming congressman, Dalog underscored that unity must be present not only among the elected officials but also among the people.
“We should be united as one people of the province because the success of the province is not just in the hands of the officials but it is also in the hands of the people,” Atty. Dalog said.
He assured that he will deliver the needed services and projects to the community who need these the most.
According to him, the bases for assistance will be on the actual needs of the people and shall not be based on political affiliation.
The incoming congressman also cited participatory approach of leadership as the mechanism in the implementation of programs and projects; hence, he urged the constituents of the province to help the officials, give sound suggestions and can even correct them when they commit mistakes.
“This way, we can also learn from you and hear your voices so we can bring the needed projects or development in your community,” Dalog said.
For his part, Tauli guaranteed that he will lead the Saggunniang Panlalawigan in crafting necessary ordinances that are most beneficial to the people.
“I will stick to my role as a presiding officer and as a legislator. I will lead the legislative branch in supporting the programs of the provincial government,” Tauli said.
Right after the oath taking ceremonies was the symbolic turnover of documents by outgoing SP members: Raul Lapon, CariHo S. Tamang and Stephen Afuyog to the governor, vice governor and the newly elected board members.
Meanwhile, the program started with a thanksgiving mass that was officiated by Rev. Fr. Michael Tokoyen of the Santa Rita de Cascia Parish.
In his homily, he reminded the newly-elected officials to lawfully fulfill their duties and responsibilities and work for the common good as they were given political power by virtue of their having been elected by the people. ** Erwin S. Batnag
