The governor, despite
the announced typhoon, braved in to personally sworn in the newly
elected and reelected Punong Barangays,
Barangay Kagawads,
SK Chairmen and SK Kagawads of the municipalities of
MacArthur, Balangiga, Lawaan and Quinapondan.
In his speech, the
provincial chief challenged the October 29 synchronized Barangay and
SK elections winners to “start working” for the betterment of their
respective barangays. “Now that the election is over, you have to
leave the political differences and start working towards progress,”
Evardone challenged the officials.
“The presence of unity
in every barangay is very important otherwise progress will never be
attained,” Evardone said in vernacular.
Meanwhile, the
governor dared the new sets of SK officials to be diligent in their
respective functions as young leaders. “There are mounting calls all
over the country to abolish SK alleging that it has no use at all,”
Evardone said referring to various groups claiming SK councils could
not attend to their regular sessions and other activities since most
of them are students and are busy in their academic bustles.
“You have to prove the
critics wrong,” the governor said to the young officials. “You will be
the next leaders in the barangay, municipality and in the province,”
he continued.
Evardone announced
that the barangay aid coming from the provincial government will be
doubled by next year. “I believe that the Sanguniang Panlalawigan will
support this move,” he said. SP members Generoso Yu, Enerio Sabulao
and Betty Lopez-Reyes attended the ceremonies with the governor. All
of them expressed their support to the governor’s proposal.
In addition, the
governor also divulged that the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) for
every barangay will increase by fifteen percent (15%). “Not only
that, but by 2008, IRA will increase by thirty percent (30%) as
promised by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo,” he told the officials.
Mayor Jimmy Ty of
MacArthur town expressed to his barangay officials that he will need
their cooperation to bring forth a progressive town. MacArthur has
thiry (30) barangays.
Balangiga’s top
official, Mayor Viscuso De Lira, shared similar request saying the
thirteen (13) barangays of the municipality should work hand in hand
towards progress.
On the hand, Mayor
Candida Gabornes of Lawaan said nothing will stop the advancement of
her locality because the new barangay and SK officials will definitely
be helping her in all the affairs of the town. Lawaan has sixteen (16)
barangays.
In Quinapondan, Mayor
Nedito Campo assured that his town will continue to support the
programs of the provincial government through its eighteen (18)
barangays.
The newly sworn in
officials will formally take their respective barangay seats noontime
of November 30, this year.
“You have been
provided confidents by your constituents by electing you to your
posts,” Evardone charged the officials, “so don’t fail them by working
to uplift your respective barangays.”
