Mother-son tandem continue governance leadership in Balabagan

PROCLAIMED as mayor and vice mayor of Balabagan in Lanao del Sur are re-electionists Edna Ogka-Benito (2nd from right) and Jover Ogka Benito (2nd from left).

BALABAGAN, Lanao del Sur --- Mother and son tandem of this locality will continue their governance leadership having been re-elected in the May 13 midterm elections.

  Mayor Edna Ogka Benito and his son, Vice Mayor Jover Ogka Benito, of LAKAS-CMD received fresh mandate from the electorate for another three-year term, their second consecutive realm.

Mayor Benito garnered a total of 6,347 votes against his opponent Hji. Amer  Sampiano of PDP  with  3,207 votes.

Re-elected Vice Mayor Jover O. Benito got 6,244 votes to Inog Napoleon’s 1,907 votes. 

One newly elected municipal l councilor is Shahir Ogka Benito (LAKAS-CMD) with 6,587 votes. Re-elected councilors of the same party are Romaizan Abi (5,433), Macalimbon Atandor  (4,447),  Sayana Ambol  (4,369),  Sinodin Maute  (3,940), and  Nonilon Norodin ( 3,891). 

Completing the Sangguniang Bayan slate are Saguira Inog (Independent) with 3,793 votes and Mervin Mamenting  (PDP-Laban) with  3,755 votes.

Mayor Benito expressed her thankfulness to all his constituents for entrusting her with another term.  “Your trust and confidence entrusted to us as your choice leader would lead or motivate us more in working hand in hand for the unity of our people and the betterment of our locality.”

Further, she said: “My priority plans and programs for this town are farm-to-market roads, electrification, water system, street lighting, and renovations of our municipal hall building… We will focus also on the activation of the Municipal and Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council and Barangay Police Action Team in relation to peace and security.”

Balabagan municipality is composed of 27 barangays  and of these, six have been declared as  “drug clear” while four are  “drug free” as certified by the  Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PDEA-ARMM).

The mayor said the remaining 17 barangays are being closely monitored by authorities and subject to thorough validation by the PDEA-BARMM and “we are hoping that this locality of ours will finally be declared as drug cleared municipality.” (Anne Acosta) 

Editorial

Marking June 2019 events

What are in store for us this month of June? First is the opening of classes this new calendar year which will make the youngsters busy with their studies and co-curricular activities and pursuit of their respective careers associated with economic productivity while their parents or elders continue with their usual chores. Again, teachers are demanding for their pay hike and additional allowances incidental to classroom instruction. Does the government have budget for these? But an increase in pay hike would also redound to the same move for other occupational groups, the other wage earners. As this goes, parents have to be watchful of their sibs against illegal drug activities and other forms of delinquencies.

Second is the end of the 2019 Ramadhan Season, one of the Pillars of Islam that calls for spiritual cleansing and strengthening of faith among our Muslim brethrens, as they now celebrate Eid’l Fit’r, which is a joyous festivity which signifies religious and cultural solidarity. We join them in their religious celebration as we continue to advocate or advance peaceful co-existence and sense of unity among us. 

Third is the June 12 Independence Day which reminds us of the quest of our fathers to be one as a people, free from outside interference and pursuing what is best for us and for our nation under the precept of sovereignty. This is also the moment in the renewed call for the spirit of nationalism and patriotism and contribution in the best way  we can render in service to our nation in time of peace and emergencies.

Fourth, among us in Cotabato City, is the celebration of the Araw ng Kutabato on June 20 as we reflect on the moment when our habitat evolved as a chartered city and continue to advance in development. This is our niche which is also rich in culture, the place where diverse cultures meet and whose history is as vibrant and colorful as we wish its progression. Let us contribute for its further prosperity  as a community of people and center of economic development. For sure, more resources will come our way at a time when our city is now part of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and still the seat of the regional government.

We are all partakers of these events in one way or the other. Let us put meaning to these occasions as they reflect on educational and economic pursuits, religious devotion, love of country, and affiliative cityhood. We are the authors of history. Let us be part of them and make notations in our autographies.