Hyu Hlafus! Maayong Aga!            

  Your presence this morning gives me overwhelming satisfaction and happiness for sharing with us your precious time in attending the Assumption to Office of the new set of Elected Officials who will serve for three years beginning noontime of June 30, 2007. Since the beginning of our term of office falls last Saturday, we decided to hold this program today. As appealing as it may seem, such gesture all of you shown today deeply touched me and will always be treasured in my heart.            

     When the campaign period started, our group was rated as the underdog but as the election drew near the bonding of candidates in the NPC party became strong. As a group, we campaigned hand in hand like a good team. I now believe in the saying that Politics is the Art of the Possible because what we have done was to turn the impossible and make it possible. With this, I would like to express my profound gratitude to my party mates who believed that unity is strength and had been loyal to each other.        

     I wish also to sincerely thank our campaign staff, personnel and supporters for their steadfast spirit and for the courage to face all the odds in the midst of high tension during the election up to the time of the proclamation. My special thanks to Governor Daisy Fuentes and Congressman Dodo Pingoy for their valuable support to us and most especially to the people of Tboli for a fresh mandate and for giving your trust and confidence in me. Madamo gid nga Salamat. Tey Bong Nawa hu kuy.    

         The fresh mandate that gave me is a precious and noble gift to me. For the first time in the history of Tboli that a none I.P. or a none member of Ethnic Tribe was elected as Mayor.  It is indeed a history that I was given the title as the first Ilocano elected Mayor of Tboli. Although this is a best title conferred to me in my whole life, but I will not be happy if the serious problems confronting our people and our place will not be addressed. Nor shall I be happy if the people are hungry with no food to serve in their dining tables and who would be happy if the basic services like Education and Health will remain elusive for our people. Election period is through, what we are going to do is to move forward and there is no reason for us to stop. We must hurry but be prudent because time is essential.    

         At this juncture, allow me to reiterate what I was always telling you during the campaign period, a bullish economy and responsive leaders are the foundations of a strong governance. For the next three years my administration shall continue to uphold and strive for the realization of a progressive economy and responsive local governance. How are we going to do it? I would like to assure the two (2) big companies in this Municipality the DOLE Philippines and the UBC-AJMR that my administration shall defend and protect the interest of your company provided that your social responsibilities to the people of Tboli and to our environment shall be taken cared of. We are also opening our arms and we will welcome new investors to invest in Tboli for as long as employment of local resident shall be given first priority.      

      It was the policy of my administration not to interfere with the operation of the business sector We will allow investors to decide the fate of their company without intervention because my administration will uphold free enterprise as a policy. Furthermore, I will always stand by my commitment that I will not allow anybody even my personnel and staff to engage in any extortion from the businessmen. I wish also the local businessmen of this town to know that as your mayor, I will always be supportive to whatever legal action you will decide so that your goals and objectives will be achieved, provided the rights of the other will not be violated. This is necessary because the first to benefit of these economic endeavors will be the local residents. The people had spoken during my various consultation and dialogues that they want their mayor to be responsive to their needs as much as possible. Beginning next year, instead of the usual P10,000.00 financial assistance to the barangays, we are going to increase it to P50,000.00 each barangay and whatever needs of the people like medical, burial and other assistant shall be taken from that funds. We will also see to it that the doors of the Office of the Mayor shall be always open to you. I am asking you please do not believe to the gossips circulated by the other people that you cannot ask help from me. I am sorry, if I have not attended your needs before, I assure you that I will be responsive to your needs especially to our TBOLI brothers. As the trade mark of my administration we will always ensure that the money of the Municipal Government shall be spent to its intended purposes. The 20% development fund shall be utilized solely to the programs and projects consistent with the MANUEL Thrust Program. The Municipal Officials and Employees are assured that the 10% salary increase shall implemented effective July 2007 and with the help of the municipal employees in cost cutting measures, we can generate more savings that will be used for your year end bonus. We are doing this for the benefit of our municipal employees, uplift their well-being so that their efficiency and effectiveness shall be improved. For what good is it to see beautiful buildings and structures when the people occupying it are hungry and low in spirit. We hope to see vibrant, active and lively employees. However, I just would like to request the municipal employees to work hard and be sincere with your work because you are being paid by peoples money from taxes collected from them. Let me remind you all these things that I have been telling you will never be realized when peace and order in this municipality will not be maintained, therefore I call all the Barangay Captains and the Barangay Councils, if you are really committed to help our people, the first to heed my call for unity and reconciliation are the barangay officials, let us help heal the wounds of politics, for the sake of our town we must forget politics in this crucial movement and let us move forward. I am asking you to help us in making Tboli a wonderful place to live where peace loving and industrious people reside. All these beautiful dreams and aspirations we are planning for our town, and the Tboli people will not be realized without the support of Governor Daisy Avance Fuestes and Congressman Dodo Pinggoy who never stop helping us and always here with even in times of trouble. Maraming, maraming salamat po. Lastly I am appeling to all the people of Tboli to give me a chance to prove myself. As your mayor I may not be the best but I was the choice of the majority and things will never be good or bad, without giving it a try. Try me and you will find out. Thank you.

     Tey Bong Nawa hu Kuy!