Sagada poll bets hold rallies as a group

HAPPY WEEKEND

Gina Dizon

   

SAGADA, Mountain Province --  Two candidates running for mayor, three for vice mayor and 24 for councilor  do their rallies as one group in 19 barangays here.

Initiated April 2 at Barangay Aguid, the group will complete the  presentation-rallies  last week of  April.  

Candidates per barangay or  zone take charge  of the coordination of the rally and all candidates to share  expenses consisting of  snacks and the sound system operator.

 Candidates expressed their opinion that the group exercise lessens expense and checks any excesses of statements.

Candidate for councilor  Dennis Ban-ang said that the collective rally encourages  others who don’t have big campaign funds to run for a political  position.

That money should not be given to voters was pointed out in order that other potential candidates shall not be hesitant in filing their candidacies just because of lack of  money to buy votes.   

Vice mayoral candidate Richard Yodong , seconded by comebacking incumbent  councilor candidate Milton Tawali said that watchers are not necessary much as the voting method is electronic  and said people  are the watchers on  the election process.

Presentations are done by the candidates followed by an open forum where people ask questions and forward their comments and recommendations to issues that particularly beset the barangay and the town as one.

 In Aguid, the question on what winning candidates shall do to ease differences between the Sangguniang Bayan and the mayor was asked.

For one, Sangguniang Bayan require the legislative body’s authorization before the mayor can engage in a contract with another entity especially where it concerns public funds.

Yodong said performance of  respective duties is an exercise of  checks  and balances between the two departments in government including the judiciary, further saying that the paramount reason for  running into public office is public welfare.

Vice mayoral candidate  and current  councilor John Guitilen said  public office is a public  trust which should  be observed by the  public  official.

Councilor  candidate Rovaldine Dagacan said an executive-legislative assembly enables both departments to confer  and agree on programs of the LGU.  

Participants in the presentation-rally at Ambasing barangay  asked  why  water tanks are constructed and pipelines installed yet there is no water. Folks here also asked solutions on heavy traffic incurred along the main road presenting danger to both motorists and those who walk on the road.

In Ankileng,  the vegetable-producing barangay of the town,  questions ranged from agricultural issues to an application for water rights  by a resident from nearby Gutang of Bauko.

The questioned water rights application  refers to the water that flows to the much visited Pongas Falls and ricefields located in the barangay and flows down Chico River.

Nearby vegetable  producing  Balugan focused on issues of  agricultural produce threatened by veggies from nearby towns getting marketed in town.