UNDERVIEW

Mike Guimbatan Jr.
Gen. Allaga to run as Ifugao congressman

An Ifugao General could be the next lone district representative to Congress in 2010. That is if Lt. Gen Nelson Allaga will seriously consider his pronouncement that he can still serve the government specifically his province upon his retirement by July 16 this year upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56.

In an informal meeting with Ifugao professionals after the Philippine Military Academy Alumni Homecoming Feb. 21, the highest ranking man who joined the Armed Forces of the Philippines among Ifugaos who became general said “why not” when asked if he could represent the Ifugaos in Congress.

Incumbent Ifugao Rep. Solomon Chungalao will end his third and last term by 2010 while incumbent Gov. Teddy Baguilat who is still on his first term already insinuated his plan to run for Congressman next year.

“Ifugaos need a firm decision maker, one that is also honest and committed, this we find in the person of General Allaga,” said a public school teacher who joined the Ifugao General at Baguio Country Club.

Gen. Allaga, the AFP Commanding General of Western Mindanao Command is a member of PMA Class 1976 known by “mistah” as “Igoy” which is short for Igorot because of his mean Cordillera personality. He is the only one in his class that volunteered to join the marines only to be followed by another classmate Maj. Gen Ben Dolorfino.

His Classmate AFP Chief of staff Gen Alex Yano once described Allaga as a " toughie highlander guy but down to earth" while Gen Dolorfino describe Allaga as a pragmatic commander "a very carefree person, practical and well rounded who prefers consultation rather than imposing any policy or directive on his troops."

General Allaga earned sudden fame when he was picked as the Marine Corps commandant on February 26, 2006 . He defused the tension during a six- hour standoff at the Marine Headquarters in Fort Bonifacio -and resolved it preventing a breakup in the closely knit Marines. He emerge after the grueling hours with his loud, dominating voice stating that there is only one Philippine Marines.

In an interview, Lt. Gen Allaga humbly related his clean military career. Despite the position and responsibilities he held in the military service, Allaga was proud before his Ifugao ancestors that he never took advantage of his position for personal gains.

“I can offer the same passion as I have in my military service like commitment to service, fairness to my men, honesty and commitment to service,” he said.

“I know most of the needs in the countryside because I have been there most of my 33 years military career”, he said. But his life in the Marines is not pure frontline fighting, “I also got lots of exposure in the implementation of basic services in Mindanao”, he said.

If given the chance, the priority of General Allaga for his province is Education and other basic services. Asked if he can cope up and reintroduce himself to his provincemates who seldom see him since he joined the military, Gen. Allaga said he will be more visible upon retirement and when he finally decide to run. He said he is so committed to his work devoting most of his time but he said he will do the same commitment when given the chance to serve his province.