LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – The provincial board recently agreed to reorganize its twenty-four standing committees during its first regular session for the present term to be able to start addressing issues and concerns that need legislative action.
Newly-installed Vice Governor Ericson ‘Tagel’ Lawagey Felipe will be chairing the Committee of the Whole while board member Fernando Balaodan, Sr. will serve as the chair of the Committees on public order and safety and education.
Neophyte board member Joel Tingbaoen, Jr. was chosen to chair the committees on public utilities, transportation, communication, science and technology and cooperatives and civil society while fellow neophyte board member Johannes A. Amuasen will be chairing the committees on rules and mining and energy.
Three-term board member Florencio Bentres will serve as the chair of the committees on personnel administration and finance and appropriation while fellow three-term board member Roberto Canuto will now chair the committees on public works and infrastructure and senior citizens and veterans’ affairs.
Boardmember Alexander T. Fianza will be chairing the committees on social services, women and family, and disaster risk reduction and management while neophyte board member Marie Rose T. Fongwan Kepes, who is the daughter of the late Rep. Nestor B. Fongwan, Sr., will serve as chair of the Committees on trade and industry and health and sanitation.
Three-term board member Juan Nazarro, Jr. will chair the committees on tourism and arts and environment and natural resources while fellow three-term board member Ruben Paoad will serve as chair of the committees on agriculture and labor and employment.
Interim board member Cruso Daguioa, Jr., who is the vice president of the Philippine Councilors League (PCL) Benguet chapter, will be chairing the Committee on Land Use and Housing while incumbent Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) federation president and board member Jeston Balong-angey will serve as the chair of the Committee on Youth and Sports Development.
Moreover, board member Neptali B. Camsol, son of the late board member Apolinario Camsol, will be chairing the Committee on Ways and Means while Indigenous Peoples mandatory Representative (IPMR) and incumbent board member Recto Alawas will serve as the chair of the Committee on Indigenous Cultural Communities and Indigenous Peoples Affairs.
Boardmember Crispin Mariano, Jr. will retain the chair of the Committee on Barangay affairs being an ex-officio member of the provincial board.