Loot uses social media to report to constituents

CEBU, Philippines — Despite his current situation, Daanbantayan Mayor Vicente has assured his constituents that he would not fail their trust and that he will fulfill his promise to serve them.

Loot recently posted on his Facebook an open letter and photographs of several infrastructure projects accomplished since his assumption into office on July 2016.

Loot did not deliver his second State of the Municipality Address since he is in hiding for fear of his life as he received death threats after President Rodrigo Duterte linked him to the illegal drug trade last year.

Loot and his family were ambushed in May this year but they survived.

Loot assured that he continues to function as mayor even if he is not at the Municipal Hall.

Amid the controversy rocking his administration, Loot said his long-term objective is for the town to become a city in 12 years by focusing on tourism as its number one revenue source.

The administration of Loot has able to implement several infrastructure projects which include road concreting, barangay road repair and rehabilitation, water desalination and water system, construction of day care center, expansion and improvement of municipal cemetery, construction of tourism information center, waste water treatment facility, improvement of municipal hall and plaza, and streetlighting among others.

“Bisan wala ako ninyo makita tungod sa nasuwayan nga pagkuha sa ako kinabuhi niadtong Mayo 2018, ako nagpadayon hangtud karon, sa paglihok ug pag implementar sa mga proyekto nga angay humanon – ug nahuman gayud-- bisan sulod lamang sa hamubo nga panahon. Dili babag ang akong wala pagpakita kaninyo, kay dinhi man ninyo mas nakita kon unsa ang akong paninguha taliwala sa mga pagsulay nga miabot sa akong kinabuhi,” Loot said.

Loot is not seeking reelection in next year’s midterm election but his stepson, three-term Provincial Board Member Sun Shimura, also a former town mayor, is running for mayor to pursue his stepfather’s dream.

Loot attributed the growth of Daanbantayan to the term of his wife, former mayor Maria Luisa “Malou” Loot, whom he said exerted all efforts to make the town into a first class municipality.

Loot vowed to increase revenue coming from these resources to propel the town in preparation for its quest to become a city in 12 years.

Daanbantayan needs to earn P100 million in yearly income for it to qualify as a city. (FREEMAN)