LMP-Cebu chief to mayors: Let’s all support Duterte administration

CEBU, Philippines - Re-elected president of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines-Cebu Chapter and Tuburan Mayor Aljun Diamante yesterday asked Cebu mayors to rally behind the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte following their oathtaking as newly elected league officials.

“Isip inyong gipili nga suluguon ug pangulo niining pundok, gihangyo ko kamo nga unta atong supportahan ang program sa atong pinalanggang presidente…labi na batok droga ug korupsyon,” he said.

Consolacion town Mayor Teresa Alegado and Dalaguete town Mayor Ronald Allan Cesante were appointed executive vice president for internal affairs and executive vice president for external affairs, respectively.

The other new officials of the league are San Fernando town Mayor Lakambini Reluya, secretary; San Remigio Mayor Mariano Martinez, treasurer; Cordova Mayor Mary Therese Sitoy-Cho, auditor; Dumanjug Mayor Efren “Gungun” Gica, public relations officer; and Medellin Mayor Joven Mondigo, legal counsel.

San Francisco Mayor Aly Arquillano, Moalboal Mayor Titing Cabaron, Argao Mayor Stanley Caminero, Bantayan Mayor Art Despi, Santa Fe Mayor Jose Esgana, Aloguinsan Town Mayor Chonse Moreno, Sogod Mayor Moonyeen Durano-Streegan, Santander Mayor Bebe Wenceslao were appointed as board of directors members.

The newly-elected LMP-Cebu Chapter officers took their oath before Governor Hilario Davide III at the Capitol Social Hall yesterday.

Diamante, now on his second term as LMP president, ran unopposed during the closed-door election last August 12 at the Cebu Grand Hotel attended by 38 out of 44 Cebu town chief executives.

Diamante got 30 votes with eight abstentions through an election by show of hands. The mayors also gave Diamante the blanket authority to choose other officers and members of LMP-Cebu’s board of directors.

Diamante also emphasized transparency, accountability and good governance and to do what is right to be able to succeed.

“We should be the catalyst of change in our respective municipalities,” he said reiterating that under his leadership, he wants all mayors to be united, regardless of political affiliation.

Davide, on the other hand, asked the mayors to also support his administration.

“We also would like to ask for your support especially the program so the provincial government. I’m assuring you also that we will support all your programs that will benefit your constituents. I know all the mayors of the province have the will to serve,” he said.

The mayor’s orientation on the health priorities of the Duterte administration followed the oathtaking ceremony. 

Department of Health-7 Director Jaime Bernadas said the orientation was supposedly done every after the national and local elections.

“A matter of discussing with them and letting them understand the programs and the priorities of Duterte’s health agenda,” he said.

Aside from the social health insurance, Bernadas said tackling substance abuse, mental health, and capacity training for the community-based treatment and rehabilitation are among the health thrusts of the Duterte administration.

He said local government units have a vital role in the effective delivery of health services. In fact, he said 90-percent of their services are in the Rural Health Units and the City Health Department.

“So they are our partners in the healthcare delivery. That’s why it is important that they should be actively informed about the health priorities of the national government through representations and meetings,” Bernadas said. (FREEMAN)