Cleanliness tops Escario’s agenda

CEBU, Philippines - Implementing a sustainable waste management program in the town, northern Cebu is among the top priorities of the newly-proclaimed Bantayan Mayor Ian Christopher Escario.

Escario will replace outgoing mayor Arthur Despi, who was disqualified by the Commission on Elections En Banc over an “invalid” certificate of candidacy (CoC).

Escario said he wants to make the town cleaner and tidier and more attractive being one of the country’s top tourist destinations.

 “Limpyohon nato ang lungsod kay nalawgaw ron daghan kaayo’g reklamo. Merkado hugaw kaayo wa’y limpyo kay ang mga tawo wa’y disiplina. Nahugaw paglingkod ni Despi,” he said.

 Escario said he wants to introduce an effective management system so piles of garbage could no longer be seen everywhere in the town.

 But for Despi, the town has improved since he assumed as mayor in July 2016.

 Despi won with 16,494 votes compared to Escario's 12,043 in the May 2016 elections, but Comelec En Banc revoked Despi’s CoC for “material misrepresentation” because he “falsified” his certificate of nomination and acceptance (CONA).

 "My 10 months or so in the position of Mayor of Bantayan has been a very fulfilling year. The job of a mayor is a very challenging one. It is a heavy burden made lighter in seeing our town prosper and the municipio able to deliver services in a proper and efficient manner,” Despi said.

 Among the reforms he introduced, Despi said, was a decisive effort to end the destructive and illegal fishing method of “baling,” which uses fine mesh nets.

Under the Baling Materials Swapping Project, Despi started a program to benefit over 338 fishermen in acquiring proper fishing materials.

This, he said resulted to a better catch for most fisherfolk.

 Another reform, he said was putting an end to the illegal beach sand extraction by engaging persons involved in this practice to alternative livelihood.

 He said some of them were contracted to build the town’s infrastructure projects.

 Also, Despi said his administration was able to set up a one-stop shop for business permits and licenses in just less than a year.

 The current setup has expedited the processing of permits and other regulatory documents to up to three days from more than a month, he added.  (FREEMAN)