LINGAYEN, Pangasinan—“Wala pong iwanan ito dahil kahit ano pong mangyari tayo-tayo po ang magsasama-sama hanggang sa huli.”
This was said by Governor Amado I. Espino III during the orientation-seminar for newly-elected barangay officials held on August 23 at the Sison Auditorium.
Expressing his heartfelt gratitude to the grassroot officials for their love and support to the Espino administration that started from his father, former governor and now 5th district representative Amado T. Espino, Jr., the provincial chief executive urged all barangay officials to be patient as he noted that the present administration cannot grant all requests at the same time.
“I ask for your understanding and patience. Hindi po namin kayang pagsabayin ibigay lahat ng requests ninyo pero may mga programa po kaming inilunsad para matugunan ang bawat pangangailangan ng barangay,” he said as he notably mentioned programs on health, employment and peace and order.
In stating this, Gov. Espino said his administration is keen on finding solutions to the problem on garbage disposal as he added that he is set to meet with all municipal/city planning officers and engineers next month to address the issue.
Noting that the barangay has soft spot in his heart being a public servant for 18 long years now, the governor stressed the importance of “making peace” with one’s community as he stressed two vital factors—peace and order, and unity– in successfully leading the smallest unit of society.
“Almost half of my life was dedicated in serving the barangay,” he said as he stressed two reasons why barangay officials continuously run despite the fact that they receive ‘low honorarium.’ “Alam ko po na gusto niyong makapagsilbi sa ating mga kababayan at gusto ninyong matawag na honorable,” he added urging the elected officials to serve wholeheartedly without any reservation.
Meanwhile, Sangguniang Panlalawigan Member Jeremy Agerico Rosario who represented the provincial board, noted that “ignorance of the law excuses no one.” Thus, he said, the whole-day orientation-seminar for the newly-elected barangay officials can serve as a vital activity in which they can derive the needed-information on basic laws.
Liga ng mga Barangay Federation President Arth Bryan C. Celeste, on the other hand, thanked the provincial government thru the Provincial Legal Office (PLO) for conducting the event as he disclosed that the activity will help his fellow barangay officials to acquire knowledge on existing government laws.
Spearheaded by the PLO headed by Atty. Geraldine U. Baniqued, the seminar-orientation anchored on the theme,” Strengthening Good Governance at the Grassroot Level.”
Topics and lecturers during the event are as follows: How to Avail PAO Services by Atty. Raymund V. Tugade; Duties, Functions and Benefits of Appointive Officials by Atty. Gretchen P. Legaspi; and Katarungang Pambarangay Law by Atty. Charles B. Cornel.
An open forum was held after the lectures.
By: Ruby R. Bernardino