By Wabilyn
Mana-od and Roger Sacyaten
BONTOC, Mountain
Province – Kalinga Rep. Allen Jesse Capuyan Mangaoang made his first public
appearance here Monday as Legislative Caretaker of Mountain Province during
flag-raising ceremonies at the provincial capital.
“Thank you for giving me the trust and
confidence to be your caretaker,” Mangaoang said after being invited by the
provincial government for the occasion.
House Speaker
Pantaleon Alvarez, on July 5, appointed
Mangaoang for the post to fill up the vacancy of the term left by the
late Rep. Maximo Dalog.
Mangaoang is also from
Mountain Province. He was born on July 21, 1959 to Jesus Puyao Mangaoang, an
engineer from Balbalasang, Balbalan, Kalinga and Rose Capuyan, an educator from
Sagada, Mountain Province.
Mangaoang had always
been an achiever. He graduated salutatorian at the Balbalasang Elementary
School and valedictorian at St. Paul’s Memorial School where he finished high
school.
Before he became
congressman of Kalinga, he was first elected as vice mayor then mayor of the
municipality of Balbalan for three terms and was elected as governor for two
terms.
He is a first-term
district representative.
In his message,
Mangaoang thanked the provincial government for the invitation to join the
people of the province for the regular Monday program in his capacity as the
province legislative caretaker.
He said that the
designation was not his wish but it was the prayer of the family of the late congressman
Dalog.
Serving as Legislative
Caretaker, he cited three things he would like to achieve: continue legislative
agenda, plans, programs, projects, and advocacies of Dalog for the best
interest of Mountain Province.
It will include
continuation of medical assistance, educational assistance, infrastructure
development, livelihood projects, TESDA trainings and all social services in
favor of the people of Mountain Province.
“Together with the
staff of the Congressman, we shall work closely with our local officials and
agency heads to make sure that the necessary funds for the province will not be
wasted; rather, it will reach the grassroots in every village, barangay and
municipality,” he said.
He also urged government
leaders and constituents of the province to unite and continue sharing the
vision of a “Gawis ay Mountain Province” as envisioned and introduced by Dalog.
“I urge all of us to
forget all about political aspirations and differences for the moment, in favor
of our beloved province. Let us prioritize development, rather than disunity.
Let us accord each other the needed care and support, rather than introducing
hindrance. Let us choose peace and reconciliation rather than hate,” he said. “This
was emphasized by Congressman Mangaoang in his message asking everyone’s
support to work hand in hand for a Gawis ay Mountain Province.”
In behalf of the
provincial government, Gov. BonifacioLacwasan Jr. welcomed and thanked the
Legislative Caretaker.
He expressed the full
support of the provincial government and the elected officials of the province
in the caretaker’s pursuit to continue the programs laid down by the late
Congressman Maximo Dalog.
“Let me emphasize the
full support and cooperation of the local officials and the people to our
care-taker congressman,” told the audience composed of municipal mayors,
provincial officials and national line agencies.
After the program,
Mangaoang visited congressional district office at the provincial capitol.
He had a short
interaction with the staff for him to be acquainted with the district office.
His first official
function as caretaker led him to the inauguration of the Malanas bridge in
Sadanga along the Bontoc-Kalinga road.
In the afternoon,
Mangaoang met with the officials and employees of the Mountain Province State
Polytechnic College here urging them to prepare and fulfill the requirements
needed for eventual conversion of the
school into a university.
It was learned that
this was among the flagship programs the late Congressman Dalog delegated to him.
Cong. Mangaong regarded
the late congressman as his seatmate and mentor at the House of
Representatives.
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