Aurora New Municipal Executive

Outgoing Aurora, Zamboanga  Del Sur Mayor, Honorable Enrique J. Cabahug has served his town for about two decades; his two successive three terms only interrupted  by his wife Bonemar Cabahug who was also elected mayor after his first three terms expired in the early 90’s.

With Mayor Enrique Cabahug’s 2^nd third term expiring this year, his son, another born leader and an illustrious son of an illustrious father, Atty. Boen Dorotheo Cabahug ran for mayor in the last elections and was heartily welcomed elected by a grateful constituency.

 Geared on continuing his father’s noted good governance, the new mayor assumed office last July 1, 2013 and now attending the duties of the town’s  executive. And in a gesture of unity, a vital ingredient of good governance, he attended the session of a divided Sanguniang Bayan  and gave his address.   ‘’ Let’s forget what had occurred in the last election among ourselves. The political exercise is over and we have to leave behind the things that have divided us. Let us now face the reality that we are all here to serve the public as we promised. So, we have to stand united to further hasten the development of our beloved town, which our people are expecting us to do without delay. Hence, I urge the Honorable members of this august body to set aside differences and prioritize programs that can be good for the common –tao” the new mayor said.

 I know my limited capability being  new in this job, and admit I really  need to learn more. However, I am consoled by the fact that we have here our vice mayor, Honorable Emmanuel "jojo" Palma, whose experience in government can enable him to be best teacher, since he was ahead of me in the local political scene”, he added.

When asked about his priority projects, Mayor Boen Cabahug said that since many of the town’s problems were earlier addressed by the former mayor, he will continue those that were not fully completed, and added that he will initiate more livelihood programs so as to raise the standard of living of the town’s under privileged, which he pledged never ever to abandon. 

MOLAVE EXTENSION OFFICE

Molave ZDS – Abdul  P. Motin is the LTO  officer in charge in Molave and is efficiently heading the office. The Molave  new office has a driver’s licensing room where applicants can seat while taking written tests . It has a cashier’s booth and a space for all other staffs. The driver’s licensing area is where clients most often loiter as a television set is installed for them to view and feel relaxed while waiting for their turn to transact business.

Motin said that the LTO extension office has a budget of thousands of pesos.

Accordingly, Molave LTO extension office has passed the evaluation for determining the soundness of its operation in the succeeding months.

The OIC is now encouraging valued clients to continue registering private motor vehicles, public utility vehicles and others at their extension office.

ENRIQUE J.CABAHUG

Undoubtedly, one of the most amazing and inimitable political leaders in Zamboanga del Sur is none other than outgoing Aurora Mayor, Honorable Enrique Cabahug. He actually led the town as hizzoner for countless of terms spanning more than two decades.

He finished his last 3rd –term as mayor this year and prides with incomparable development for his town. He completed  tangible projects  like the Municipal building worth millions, the ENFRES –project that was finished last 2012 and the FARM to Market ROAD FMR and the new Library and Museum that were implemented last June 28, 2013 .

Cabahug led the town in the same manner he steered his family to righteousness and prosperity; he stood up as its father, who is the most durable and strongest post in the home.

 He left behind a solid foundation and a legacy of good governance not quite easy to ignore by his successor. The path he trekked in the many years he governed Aurora is littered with indelible mark of development that could either be taken advantage his successor by simply continuing those projects  not yet completed and use his exemplary governance as a guide .

Cabahug is very optimistic that Aurora will be more prosperous with the incoming mayor, Atty. Dorotheo Boen Cabahug, his son in its helm. He is confident the incoming mayor, whom he describes and one with developmental outlook will carry one the legacy he left behind. He predicts his son will be able to do more because of his youth, energy and outlook in life.

The outgoing mayor said he will not  retire from serving the people but continue rendering service through a foundation he envisioned to establish to be named,“Alive Aurora”the primary purpose of which is to provide livelihood programs that can be availed of Auroraneans, in order to improve their lot, a dream he cherished to help fulfill for them.

FORMER OLUTANGA, ZSIBUGAY MAYOR JOEL CAPOTULAN NOW TOWN’S VICE MAYOR

Joel Capotulan, Olutanga town’s chief executive for a long time has now settled to become its vice mayor; no longer an executive but a legislator this time.

Jeng Capotulan, the man famous for his humility making him the most highly respected public official by his constituency during the three decades or so that he served them well delivered tangible projects and managed the affairs of his town through good governance.

But now, as Vice Mayor and presiding officer of the Sangguniang Bayan he is constantly pre –occupied in attending

to the proposed programs of the new mayor, who happens to be his younger brother.

He assured his constituency that he will continue to serve them beyond the parameters of his public office as he had always done in the past. As a doctor of medicine, he will continue to attend to the medical needs of the deserving poor in the community.

NEW DQMR INSTALLED – LTO DISTRICT – PAGADIAN CITY

Pagadian City, ZDS-Johan Macaumbos is the newly installed LTO Chief / District Quality Management Representative (DQMR) in the LTO District of Pagadian City last July 2 ,2013.He was previously assigned at the  BUUG  Extension office for more than a decade .

In an interview with the Regional Director of the LTO of Zamboanga Peninsula Reg 9,Atty. Aminola Abaton, it was gathered that Johan Macaumbos is the right man to handle the job of a DQMR  in the said district for his capabilities have already been proven at his previous assignment, so that he can easily tackle any given task.

Abaton said that Johan Macaumbos has proven his ability to manage during his stint at the extension office where he was assigned for more than 12 years, where he was consistent in realizing the targeted revenue collection and handled efficiently his incidental duties relative to his office.

Macaumbos told media in RATSADA TV RPN 9 one tv channel and Mindanao Med Press that he needs to work hand in hand with all the LTO staffs to reach the goal and to hit the objective of the district office especially the yearly revenue collection of the agency, anyway. “I’ll not make a promise in my working ability but I’ll do my best heartily and truly, Macaumbos said.’’

Macaumbos uttered that his first mission is how to dis-allow fixers  since this is  really the big  problem as he looked to the transaction in the LTO.

The newly installed DQMR or LTO chief calls   one and all to register their car and motor vehicle to evade more circumstances in due time and drivers who have not yet driver licenses feel free to come into the district and fill in the requirements to have quicker result.

Mr. ENERGY – “Glavys” Gavenia

by: Alex Sanchez

Pagadian City – Mr . Arnold Gavenia, a city councilor of Pagadian City for 6 -consecutive years. Gavenia is modest, friendly and hardworking. He earned his engineering degree as a working student. His stint as an OFW for a few has made him doubly industrious, mentally and physically sturdy and has also broadened his outlook and insight about life.

Gavenia who has earned the “monicker spark plug sa Konseho“due to his advocacy for the economic well-being of motorcab drivers and operators. He is a businessman who is in selling replacement parts of different brands of motorcycle. He also operates one of the best restaurants in the city. He is chairman of the Committee on Transportation and Communication in the City Council for the last six years. His experience of making a living as a motor cab driver when he was very young has enabled him to know the problems of motor cab drivers and provide solution to them, thereby endearing him to this sector of the community.

A-G is the typical person whom everybody would want to be a friend. He is not ambitious but has an intense desire to help improve the business climate in the city to provide employment to the thousands of graduates from various colleges here.

A-G is the IDOL of the masses because he frequently roams around the city and visits its 54 –barangays and had been doing this ever since he was elected from 2007, trying to know the problems of each barangay.

Gavenia is not swell headed and not the type of politician that feels he is the masters of the people and not their servants.

A legacy he will surely leave to the Pagadianons is the scholarship he has granted for under privileged constituents in the 54- barangays.

Ilang-Ilang CO

by: Alex Sanchez

The first lady of Pagadian City Priscilla Ann “Ilang-ilang” Fernandez Co is running for mayor under the Liberal Party.

Doubtlessly a woman of substance, in the 9 years her better half, Mayor Sammy Co excellently governed Pagadian which has jumped from way below the ladder to 5th or 6th spot among the most developed cities in Mindanao, behind the cities, of Davao, Cagayan de Oro, Zamboanga, Butuan and Cotabato she has tirelessly assisted Co in improving the physical appearance of the city now popularly known as the “beautiful city” in southern Mindanao. 

Among her advocacies is to maintain the beauty and cleanliness of the city, giving it a woman’s touch to attract more tourists and investors as the city embarks a full development of its tourism potential so as to provide jobs and income of the city’s constituency.  She intends to give special attention to the youth to veer them away from prohibited drugs and instead will endeavor to provide them free and affordable college education to enable them to better face the challenges of life. 

As to highly educated mothers, who are tied up at home while nurturing babies or children, to enable them to get self employed by bringing to their homes the opportunity to work at home and earn a living so to help the family’s bread winner.

“Aron mapadayon ang paglambo sa Pagadian ipuli si Ilang2x Co sa pagka mayor sa dakbayan” is the clamor of Pagadianons.

“Idol”Bajamunde

by: Alex Sanchez

Jesus Bajamunde is an incumbent city councilor of Pagadian city who is now running for board member in the first district of Zamboanga del Sur. He is fondly called “Idol” by his supporters because Jesus, his real name, is very friendly to the common –tao of the province, particularly in the city of Pagadian .

Idol who is a 3rd termer as a city councilor has not suffered any defeat in his political career.

Bajamunde is a businessman and a politician. His ways are common and ordinary. He is simple, soft spoken and an unassuming guy that everybody loves to mingle with wherever they meet him.

Idol has never made any promises to his constituents during the three terms he was elected city councilor. But what he has greatly accomplished as city councilor he can even do more as a provincial legislator.

Capotulan’s Legacy – Olutanga

by: Alex Sanchez

Olutanga- Joel Capotulan  the Municipal Mayor of the island whose dictionary does not include the words “surrender” or “give up.” A man of valor, he endeavors to boldly face and surmount all difficulties along the way in his unending efforts to develop his town and improve the lot of his constituents. Mayor Capotulan sets the pace of good governance in the Island Olutanga.

His support of the PNP members down to Barangay Police to minimize delinquencies and reduce crime rate of the town is paying off.

He also implements the 24/7 service in every police substation to ensure safety to the community. A health service is prioritized since he is a doctor by providing free medical consultation and services to people. He frequently doles out financial assistance to indigent and gravely ill patients, particularly the poorest among the poor to enable them to have access to medical services in nationally funded government hospitals in Zamboanga City. Among his ongoing Infrastructure projects is the construction of a municipal building, where the amount allotted for erecting the building’s columns is about 1-million pesos and for the flooring an amount of 2-million pesos has been set aside from the pork barrel of Congressman Boyet Yambao.

Another is the maintenance of the Farm to Market Road (FMR) from barangay Pama to barangay Sta. Maria the amount of 12 M, which is already implemented; Construction of barangay road from Bateria , Calais and Noque had been realized with the amount of 26 Million from the Philippine Rural Development Program (PRDP) as Capotulan said .

Still another is the project worth 7 M given to the Women an which has shared by barangay Galas and neighboring barangays.

And for this year 2013, the PAyapa at MAsaganang pamayaNAn (PAMANA) has proposed the rehabilitation of Pulo Mabao road worth      19 M  and  for Pulo Laum . The construction of a water system worth of 3M, connected to various barangays so as to provide potable water to every family in the island.

The dispersal of the working Carabao taken care of by a family has been a big help to farmers in sustaining farming activities. As of today there are 9 live carabao’s handed to deserving families. Happy to note that the cultivation of Agar-agar is underway in Looc Sapi ,Pulo Mabao and Pulo Laum .

Capotulan is overwhelmed with joy with the implementation of these projects and the earmarking of new ones for his municipality. It addresses his ardent desire to develop his town to make it a peaceful and ideal place to live in.

Lastly but not the least, Capotulan’s awareness that a good college education will enable the young generation to be able to land a good  and well-paying jobs in urban centers, here and abroad, the good mayor provides scholarships to deserving students from his town.

Baleleng Fernandez- KINI ANG BALAOD

by: Alex Sanchez

Pagadian City –Atty. Baldomero’’Baleleng’’ Fernandez has devoted the better part of his professional life as a private law practitioner and public prosecutor. He was the  city fiscal of Pagadian City in the 80’s and later Provincial Prosecutor of the undivided Zamboanga del Sur then covering more than 40 towns. 

Throwing his hat in the political arena in 1988 he was elected senior provincial board member also of the undivided Zamboanga del Sur. After resigning as provincial prosecutor in 1998 he returned to his practice of law to replace his wife, Dr. Dicky Fernandez after the latter’s 3 terms expired and was elected in 2004 and 2007 as board member of the 1st district of Zamboanga del Sur. 

Deciding not to complete his 3 terms, “Baleleng”(his popular monicker over the radio) ran for Pagadian City councilor in 2010 and placed 2nd.  He is now seeking a 2nd term as city councilor under the Liberal Party banner. Known for his humility and special affection for the disadvantaged in life, political pundits are heavily betting on his re-election as alderman of Pagadian City.