Bontoc’s successful doctor graces town’s Foundation Day

Alpine L. Killa-Malwagay

BONTOC, Mountain Province- Dr. Elizabeth Macliing-Solang, who traces her roots in this capital town graced the 115th Bontoc Foundation Day on Sept. 15.
    Speaking before a jam-packed audience, she encouraged everyone to be good public servants. Relating to their dictum in the medical field, which is "Do no harm" and "Do good," she said these may also apply in government and private sector which can also translate to good governance.
    Focusing on the theme for this year's 115th Bontoc Foundation Day and 19th Am-among Festival: "Radiating Good Governance through Accelerated Public Service," Dr. Solang said while it is the responsibility of the government to provide basic services and render good governance, every individual in private and government sectors should impose upon themselves good values, upright morals, to help each other to render public service, minimize corruption, hasten delivery of services and make opportunities.
    She mentioned individuals who hail from Bontoc who are holding high positions in the national government and expressed high hopes that more sons and daughters of Bontoc would follow in their footsteps. 
    "I challenge the youth and those in the service to strive for national positions, not for the position itself but to render more efficient service and be exemplary models of what good governance is," the guest of honor and speaker said.
    She urged civil servants and younger generation to do away with the attitude of "self-entitlement". She went on to say that self-entitlement is defined as a sense of deservingness, or being owed a favor when little or nothing has been done to deserve special treatment.
    "Each of you, the younger generation should strive, aim for higher education, be good persons, and eventually be the future leaders and models of good governance," she said.
    In his welcome message, Bontoc Jerome "Chagsen" Tudlong, Jr., said the municipality's Foundation Day is a testament to vision of ancestors who laid the groundwork for the community to thrive or flourish. Thus, it is also a day to honor their sacrifices and to express gratitude for the opportunities given.
    "Good Governance lies at the heart of this progress. It is the guiding principle that enables us to effectively address the needs and concerns of the community. Under the framework of good governance, we strive to create an environment that fosters accountability and citizen participation. It is through these principles that we aim to ensure the provision of high-quality services that meet the needs of our community, "the mayor said.
    He added it is not a stagnant achievement but ongoing journey. In celebration, he added, it is but proper to appreciate the strides made in improving public service. However, he said each one should commit himself/herself to continuous improvement, aspiring to raise the bar even higher.
    “To meet the demands of the incoming generations, nan anan-ak yah nan ap-o takho, and to catch up for the missed opportunities, we cannot sit down and wait for the silver lining. We have to work for it. We have to work day and night and grab whatever opportunities are there before us, all for the realization of our preferred reality. It may not happen during our lifetime, but history will tell how we did it. We hope that, when their time comes, they will assume the same responsibility and the same good governance. Let us remember that whatever benefits we have right now, we owe it to every I-Fontok regardless of what role they played and how you contributed to achieving it. After all, we are one Bontoc community, “the mayor said.
    Provincial officials and other mayors from Mountain Province, along with the officials of La Trinidad , Benguet, the sister municipality of Bontoc joined in the celebration and gave their messages of solidarity for Bontoc's Foundation Day and 19th Am-among Festival.