Tabogon leaders unite with Capitol

Another opposition town in Cebu’s fourth district unites with the current Capitol leadership, an act which gained the approval of various proposed projects involving waterworks and electrification, among others.

Tabogon Mayor Eusebio Dungog, Sr. and Vice Mayor Felix Catam-isan, together with members of the town council, recently visited the Governor’s office for the very first time since Governor Gwendolyn Garcia assumed office in 2004.

Town officials have decided to unite with the governor after “sensing that Gwen’s programs are for the common good”, this was learned.

Happy of the latest development, Garcia approved various projects presented by the town officials except for the tennis court which she said is not in line with her priorities.

Among the projects presented were the expansion of waterworks system, rural electrification, and road concreting. The town officials also requested welding machines and other equipment for the vocational schools in Tabogon.

Garcia is expected to visit Tabogon to deliver their other requests - a mini-ambulance and a police jeep. The governor will also be distributing PhilHealth cards to indigents there.

Towns which are considered “enemy territories” of the governor are slowly becoming her allies.

Last February 2, Pinamungajan Mayor Geraldine Yapha and her brother, Vice Mayor Jeffrey Yapha, welcomed Garcia and her brother, Cebu 3rd district Rep. Pablo John ‘PJ’ Garcia in their place. The Garcias inspected the Poblacion-Guimbawean road, distributed PhilHealth cards and inaugurated the electrification project in barangay Anapog.

To recall, there was a gap between the Garcias and the Yaphas for more than a decade because of political conflict. Former congressman Antonio Yapha, father of Geraldine and Jeffrey, challenged Gwen’s reelection bid last year.

Also early this month, mayors of Tabuelan and Tuburan towns expressed their support and gratitude to the provincial government. This after a reported “no-show” at the Capitol for three years.

The towns requested that the province provide them an additional ambulance and a firetruck aside from the mini-dumptruck given earlier.

In the previous term, the municipal council of Tuburan passed a resolution calling for the abolition of the Cebu provincial government and supported the bill creating new Cebu provinces, specifically Cebu Occidental.

Further, officials of San Remigio also expressed their support as the provincial government inaugurated the first batch of projects showered on the northern town last month.

Garcia went to San Remigio and inaugurated two road stretches, four classrooms and a Parents Teachers Community Association building. She also turned over a firetruck, a mini-dumptruck and an ambulance to the town.

The San Remigio National High School was also provided with four new classrooms called GWEN rooms. The school plans to use the facility for first, second and third-year students under the Special Science Curriculum of the Department of Science and Technology.

Toledo City has also opened its doors to Garcia who was welcomed for the first time there when the city celebrated its 48th Charter Day.

Mayor Arlene “Daydee” Zamboo worked against the governor in the past, but decided to renew ties and cooperate once again with the provincial government. – Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/MEEV