Catanduanes, Bicol’s best kept
secret…an island only known amongst everyone as an entry point whenever a
tropical storm or typhoon enters the archipelago. Its natural beauty and economic
potential hardly known to its own fellow Filipinos, left behind without any
consideration and determination by its previous administrations towards means
of development.
For decades members of
political dynasties and various personalities took turns in occupying the Provincial
Capitol and also the seats of the Municipal Halls, yet the same condition of the
island and every Catandunganon remained. These leaders despite enjoying
laudable influence over personalities and connections to the national
government, miserably failed to maximize efforts and materialize programs to
improve the island.
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| Governor JOSEPH "Boboy" CUA |
Came in 2007, when one man
took the courage to usher in a different approach in leadership and bring an
end to this era of stagnation…steering the island towards a new direction. Enter
Governor JOSEPH “Boboy” CUA, the man
who never lost faith and belief to the promise of the island province and its
people, who despite losing on his first attempt of securing the leadership of
the province never gave up in offering his alternative brand of leadership to
the people.
Looking back from his humble
beginnings, this leader’s keen faith and hopes for the Island has been tested
by time. Braving the fear of investing on businesses in the island unlike other
fellow businessmen, Governor Cua and his family never thought twice of taking chances
in investing on businesses that provided jobs and other opportunities for his
fellow Catandunganons and their families.
Immediately after taking over
the Capitol, he made it clear that the path of his leadership must begin by
bringing it closer from the source of its mandate…the people, the
Catandunganons. He kept himself visible and reachable to his people, whether at
the Capitol or thru roaming around the eleven municipalities of the island both
during calm and even amidst the storms.
He brought the innovation in
the provincial leadership, setting aside politics and sticking it out with his
guiding principles… a firm and clear platform of government “J.O.S.E.P.H”. From
then on continuously accomplishing scores of achievements in key areas of
neglect towards development where his predecessors failed to attend to, notably
having led the province with resiliency and stability despite the economic
downturn due to the “abaca crisis” spawned by the global economic crisis then.
Likewise he never got tired of
developing alternative means of income for Catandunganons through programs and
projects for agriculture and fisheries notably the Catanduanes Crab Center, the
“lasa” or tiger-grass development, “cassava” processing; establishing economic
centers to entice investors for business such as the Virac Youth Center Mall;
boosting tourism thru development of infrastructures for the promotion of the island’s prime
tourist spots like the famous Twin Rock Beach Resort and Majestic Puraran
Surfing Resort among others.
A more in-depth focus towards
improvement of Education, Health and Social Services were intensified by
programs and policies under his watch, resulting with the modernization and
upgrade of the island’s prime health facilities under the Eastern Bicol Medical
Center and a more dynamic provincial scholarship program, known as the College
Unified Assistance program for the island’s college students was launched.
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| Congressman CESAR V. SARMIENTO |
In 2010, with the foundation
of change established and stabilized during his first term, Governor Cua reaped
the fruits of his dedication and selfless efforts having been triumphantly re-elected
for a second term overwhelmingly by his people. At this same time another leader
with the same determination and aspirations of hope for the province, was selected
by the Catandunganons to represent them and their continuing struggle for
development to the halls of Congress… Congressman
CESAR V. SARMIENTO.
Cong. CVS was not new to the
woes of his people, having served as the second highest official of the island as
its Vice Governor and presiding officer of the Provincial Board during those tumultuous
days overwhelmed by too much politics at the Capitol brought by the
indifference of the then sitting Governor. This state had hindered important
projects and relevant legislations towards development in the sidelines as
legislative sessions ends up in a gridlock between the Governor’s cohorts and
other members of the Provincial Board.
But as much as hindrance would
block his efforts, Cong. CVS will not be stopped from other means of bringing
service towards his people. Despite a sudden lie-low from politics opting not
to run for re-election as Vice Governor, Cong.CVS having been appointed to the
national government to join the Department of Transportation and Communications
maximized this avenue of bringing service to his people...notably in securing safety
for the island during times of calamities, having been instrumental in securing
the assignment of telecommunications equipments and emergency warning systems
from the International Telecommunications Union.
He also spearheaded advocacy
programs for youth empowerment and the environment, actively participating in
tree planting programs, coastal clean-ups and other valuable endeavors notably the
highly successful Cesar V. Sarmiento Oratorical Cup, which develops the potential
and the political maturity of the island’s youth into social awareness, critical
thinking and nation building.
In his first term in Congress,
Cong. CVS proved that with sincere and dedicated “political will”… aspirations
can be turned into reality. With his matchless enthusiasm and determination,
his peoples’ long aspiration for the Catanduanes State Colleges, its lone state
college’s conversion to a state university was finally realized. This feat has
taken only a single term for him to achieve, compared to the total of 18 years
or three 3 year terms of his predecessors combined.
Furthermore, Cong. CVS shown
that with “political will” paving the way for the foundations of development
for the island do not require too much time, having caused for massive improvements
and construction of major facilities, centers and infrastructures for the
province just in the span of his three years in office. Cong. CVS strength is
fueled by his own persona and the same passion towards achieving his goals and
aspirations for his struggling people.
Both Governor Cua and
Congressman Sarmiento combined service ushered in a new era, a new approach and
a new face in the island’s leadership and government, the results of their
policies and projects are now felt and evident to the sudden shift of direction
that the island province is heading onwards… the not so far, not so long achievement
of progress.
With this proven integrity,
level of leadership and accomplishments, why should Catandunganons take chances
on taking a different choice?
The hard side of it… there are
no more questions, they already made their choice.
SULONG CATANDUNGAN!
