Iriga's rustic and modern appeal

Currently celebrating its 43rd Charter anniversary is the City of Iriga with my friend Mayor Madel Alfelor Gazmen spearheading the celebration. 

As in all Irigueño celebrations, Mayor Madel imported guests from Manila to be part of the happy occasion. Douglas Nierras, who has been adopted by Iriga, Gladys Reyes and Geoff Eigenmann sat as board of judges in the Majorette Competition with only three pre-selected contestants composed of Agro Technical School, Ceferino Arroyo High School and La Consolacion College.

Irigueños always look forward to any occasion the city government stages. Thus, last week, they went in full force to the grand stand located at the center of the city where most of the festivities were held.

Gladys and Geoff after sitting as board of judges performed song numbers to the crowd’s delight.

Mayor Madel also invited Parokya ni Edgar, Marco Sison, Noel Cabangon, who sang Iriga’s theme song, and Rey Valera, among others.

There is no stopping Iriga City from moving forward. Mayor Madel, a visionary, has steered her city towards more lofty goals. And her dreams are slowly coming to reality.

Recently, Iriga City was awarded as one of the 10 Top Performing LGUs on Good Governance for 2010 for the Component Cities Category.

Iriga has a combined feel of both modern and rustic. It is one of the most peaceful places you can be in the world with zero crime rate. Thus, you can sleep peacefully with your windows open. Mayor Madel tells of an anecdote where two neighbors were quarreling with each other because of a lemon plant. To appease both parties, the Mayor gave each one a lemon seedling to plant and all the rest of the residents in Iriga were given as well. And the neighbors are good friends now.

Iriga City has been moving forward since Mayor Madel came on board. It now has a fully air-conditioned, wi-fi ready library, a new public market, a new city hall, among others. The public market where vendors rent a space for P1,500 a month is one of the best markets I have ever been to. It was designed after Serendra at The Fort, for shoppers and market goers to get the feel of both the mall and a public market. Mayor Madel says that she has always wanted to keep a good balance of the rustic and modern appeal of Iriga with the city remaining laid back yet hip.

“Irigueños have the comfort of a city but they also have that probinsyano feel. Ayoko naman ho mawala yon,” said Mayor Madel. By 7 p.m., all stores are closed and not one establishment is open except for one or two restaurant bars.

Mayor Madel has also been implementing its character city program with each month themed with a good character trait like honesty, industry, kindness, courage, among others.

Geoff Eigenmann and Gladys Reyes

“Marami pa pong dapat gawin ang Iriga,” said the mayor who is oblivious to all her achievements. Mayor Madel has been awarded the CEO Excellence Award whose roster of awardees includes Manny Pangilinan, Mel Tiangco, Marixi Prieto. “Napakalaking bagay po ang mahanay sa kanila. Nakakatuwa naman, pero hindi po dito nagtatapos ang trabaho ko. Marami pa po kaming dapat gawin.”

Mayor Madel believes that if people come together with a common mind and a common goal, “lahat po ng gagawin nila magaganda at magiging successful.”

Mayor Madel won’t sit back and relax as there is still much to do. One time, I saw her directing a presentation under the heat of the sun and in the rain. “Nakakahiya naman po kung iiwanan ko sila in the rain. At kung ako lang po ang nakapayong nakakahiya din.”

Bravo, Mayor Madel for taking good care of the birth place of the one and only Superstar of Philippine Movies, Nora Aunor.