Carmen celebrates 158th year as town

CEBU, Philippines – Carmen Municipal Mayor Sonia Q. Pua yesterday called on all political leaders and residents of her town for unity, as they will continue the development of the town that was started by their forefathers 158 years ago.

In her State of the Municipality Address (SOMA), Pua said her triumph as the leader of the town does not depend on her alone but also to the employees who efficiently run their respective offices.

According to her, during the Spanish period, Carmen was just a part of Catmon as a barrio.

But on June 16, 1851, Carmen was separated from Catmon by a superior decree and stood an independent parish and town with Facundo Buot as the first elected gobernadorcillo and Fabio Buot, the first municipal president under the American Regime.

Pua recalled that in 2007, she was hesitant to run for a government position because she thought she have done enough for her town. But she admitted that she realized that service to the people has no limit in the same way that the residents’ contribution to make progressive Carmen has no boundary.

“I was a reluctant candidate in the 2007 election as I prefer to be a private citizen, but my will and devotion to serve the people of Carmen never ceased as time elapsed. So I humbly accepted the challenge, never expecting that the good Lord in high infinite wisdom, would take his humble servant, Mayor Benyong (former mayor Virginio Villamor) , back to His kingdom without finishing his term,” Pua said. Villamor died last year, leaving Pua to take over the position as the town mayor.

In her 10 months as municipal mayor, Pua said her accomplishments were based on her pledge to continue the developments and improvements the deceased mayor has left behind.

Her accomplishments include the improvement of the municipal hall building and session hall, public market, Dawis Norte Health Center and the social welfare office. – Jose P. Sollano/WAB (THE FREEMAN)