BY WAYNE A. BIGSAT
A proud security guard turned public servant vowed to serve his constituents an “Aksyon Agad” kind of governance during his investiture and official assumption of office, yesterday at the Silay City Public Plaza.
Mayor Joedith Gallego, in his message to the people of Silay City, emphasized that the plans and projects he promised during the campaign will be realized and felt even by the least, the last and lost in the community.
Gallego who got 37,643 votes against incumbent Mayor Mark Golez with 34,725, urged his fellow public officials to accommodate everybody entering their offices, especially those who are asking for help; adding “bawal suplada/suplado” while giving assistance to the people they serve.
Among the plans he cited are the reshuffling of job order casuals, training and short-term education programs to equip those interested with the skills they needed to find a job, and construction of a convention center, city college, police headquarters and the city hall, among others.
Furthermore, the Mayor likewise stressed the “no under the table policy” especially in the processing of documents and those found doing so will be dealt with accordingly. This is to encourage investors to conduct business to the city.
During the program, representatives from the Philippine Army, Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO), Bureau of Fire and Protection (BFP) and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) expressed their support for the new Mayor and the people of Silay City.
Present on the activity were Vice-Mayor Tom Ledesma, Councilors Ryan Gamboa, Andrew John Penuela, Toti Lopez, Ramon Celebre, Darryl Hinolan, Lyndon Bernardo, Michael Maravilla, Maximo Javelona III, Demetria Apla-on and department heads, among others, who showed their cooperation and support to the new city mayor.
Gallego was a security guard of AIDSISA Sugar Central in Brgy. E. Lopez for 10 years before becoming Brgy. E. Lopez’s kagawad for 6 years, a barangay captain and ABC president for 11 years and vice-mayor for three years. He lost his bid for Mayor during the 2019 elections against Golez and Jose “Oti” Montelibano before he ran again and won the 2022 elections.
The ceremonial turn-over of the key of responsibility was made by Vice-Mayor Ledesma on behalf of former Mayor Golez.*
