BONTOC, Mtn. Province – Kalinga Congressman Allen Jesse C. Mangaoang and now legislative caretaker of the province has been warmly welcomed here during the flag raising program last Monday, August 7, 2017 at the Provincial Plaza attended by provincial and municipal officials, personnel of the provincial offices and national line agencies.
“Let me emphasize the full support and cooperation of the local officials and the people to our care-taker congressman”, Governor Bonifacio Lacwasan told the audience.
Congressman Mangaoang, whose mother is from Sagada, thanked the people of MP for the trust and confidence given to him as the legislative caretaker.
He emphasized three (3) things that he has to undertake: to continue the legislative agenda, plans, programs, and projects such as the medical assistance, educational assistance, and infrastructure programs for the development of the province; work closely with local officials and agency heads for fundings to reach the grassroots in every barangays and municipalities; and call upon us all, officials and people, to unite and continue sharing the vision of a gawis ay Mountain Province as envisioned by the late cong.
“I urge all of you to forget about political aspirations and differences for the moment in favor of our province. Let us prioritize development rather than disunity, let us accord each other the needed support rather than introducing hindrance among our fellows. Let us choose peace and reconciliation rather than hatred. Let us all work hand in hand for a gawis ay mountain province”, he said to the loud applause of the audience.
In attendance during the program were eight mayors of the province but the other two were ably represented by their respective vice mayors.
After the program, Congressman Mangaoang visited Congressional District Office at the provincial Capitol. He had a short interaction with the staff and 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 with a message significantly underscoring “linking bridges, linking people”.
In the afternoon, Cong. Mangaoang met with the officials and employees of the Mountain Province State Polytechnic College (MPSPC) here reportedly exhorting them to prepare and fulfill the requirements needed for the eventual conversion of the school into a university. It was learned that this was among the flagship programs the late Congressman Maximo Dalog delegated to him.
Cong. Mangaong regards the late Cong. Dalog as his seatmate and mentor at the House of Representatives when the latter was still alive.
By Roger Sacyaten
