BONTOC, MOUNTAIN PROVINCE– “The moment I will win this election, I will re-file the Regional Autonomy Bill in congress with some amendments that favor the constituents of the region,” is Wooden’s battle cry in his campaign sorties around this province.
Atty. Anthony D. Wooden is the incumbent and three term mayor of Tadian, a former board member and vice governor, now running for congressman of the Lone District of Mountain Province along with Atty. Maximo Y. Dalog, Col. Allen S. Ocden, Robert Paday-os, Jonathan B. Harder, Avelino C. Amangyen and Jupiter C. Dominguez.
According to Wooden, there is a need to amend what have been filed in the House of Representatives most especially the share of host communities from the national wealth tax.
The share of host LGUs from the national wealth tax from its jurisdiction as provided in Republic Act No. 9136, otherwise known as “Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) of 2001,” is 50% of one centavo per kWh (P0.005/kWh) for their Electrification Fund, 25% of one centavo per kWh (P0.0025/kWh) for their Development and Livelihood Fund, and 25% of one centavo per kWh (P0.0025/kWh) for Reforestation, Watershed Management, Health and/or Environment Enhancement Fund.
According to his top aide, the congressional aspirant intends to adjust the existing sharing scheme in favor of the host communities.
Among his notable proposed legislative agenda includes settlement of boundary disputes with the assurance/provision that there shall be no diminution of Internal Revenue Allotment due to increase in areas or population resulting from the said settlement; insurance and other benefits of barangay officials and employees such as mandatory GSIS or SSS coverage, Philhealth and other benefits; Magna Carta for Day Care Workers and Barangay Health Workers, grant of sick and vacation leaves of teachers on top of their service credits, intensify support to the MPSPC towards becoming a university, upgrading/nationalization of the Bontoc General Hospital, secure sufficient funds for infrastructure projects, establishment of an engineered sanitary landfill in the province and preparation for the creation of new municipalities in Paracelis and Bauko.
According to him, creation of new LGUs simply means bringing services closer to the people.
His own camp describes Anthony D. Wooden as “a lawyer by profession, singing mayor, teacher, man of action, visionary, and dedicated and tested public servant.”
“Save Mountain Province from money politics, Go for the POOR MAN with a BIG HEART,” states his campaign materials.**Albert Manochon
