Suspended Bangued vice mayor now acting mayor

By Xandro Alexander D. Carino

BANGUED, Abra – The suspended vice mayor of this capital town is now its acting mayor.

On her first day as acting mayor in August 11, Vice Mayor Mila Valera, who was suspended earlier by the Office of the Ombudsman, convened all department heads of the Bangued local government unit telling them to strictly follow health protocols in their offices as Covid-19 cases increased in the province.   

               She said all employees will soon undergo mass rapid testing.

Valera also had a meeting with the Department of the Interior and Local Government, the Municipal Police Station and barangay officials to be updated on the progress and challenges of each barangay in the municipality in addressing the current health crisis.

Discussions included status of barangay isolation units.  

The mayor also met with owners of funeral parlors in Bangued where   implementation of stricter protocols during wakes at this extra ordinary time was discussed.

Only 3-4 days of wake will be allowed to lessen mass gatherings and to avoid long exposure of those who will attend the wake.

Valera took over from Sangguniang Bayan member Joaquin Enrico Valera Bernos who became acting mayor of the capital town last year after the Office of the Ombudsman ordered the dismissal of Mayor Dominic Valera and suspension of Vice Mayor Mila Valera for a year for grave misconduct in a decision released on June 24, 2019.  

Her one year suspension ended last Aug. 10. -- PIA Abra