By Kit Bagaipo
INABANGA, Bohol, Philippines - Newly elected Inabanga Mayor Jose Jono Jumamoy could be the youngest local chief executive to assume office in the country at only 21 years old.
But for Jono, who was elected via a landslide victory over his opponent with over a margin of over 6,000 votes, serving the people of his hometown comes as a great responsibility even with his extensive exposure to local politics and his academic preparations.
The US educated mayor-elect, son of Inabanga's former mayors, graduated with a double degree in Management and International Business at Northwood University in West Palm Beach, Florida.
While Jumamoy admits he is a product of a political family, he says his decision to come home and run for mayor in his hometown came after finishing college in the US last November 2006.
In fact, he disclosed, it was never an easy decision considering he was able to secure a working permit in the States and a position at the World Bank which he applied for was already at hand.
"I could have lived a simple without the hassles of politics but I had to weigh my options," he said.
The realization that his education and training in the US could be a great asset if he comes home and, more so, if he will be given a chance to serve in his hometown, came not because his mother, incumbent Mayor Josephine Jumamoy was to end her third term.
The incumbent mayor ran and won as provincial board member in Bohol's second congressional district.
The young Jumamoy bared that he "owes it to the people" of Inabanga for being elected as their mayor. "When you are 21-years old, to be mayor is a big responsibility."
In fact, he was given a clear mandate with the election of his entire slate, from the vice mayor down to his eight candidates for councilor.
"I would be able to handle the position well," Jumamoy assured as he points out that growing up in a family of politicians, he was exposed early to politics as he was also a Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) president of Inabanga and vice president of the SK Bohol Federation before leaving to study in the States.
When asked if his age would be a burden in running the affairs of his town, Jumamoy explained "that's the drawback of being young. You may not have the wisdom of an old man but you do have the energy, the passion and the drive for change and progress."
Jumamoy knows people have different expectations from him. He recalls during his campaign sorties in Inabanga's 50 barangays that most folks used to tell him they still see him as that little boy in tow with his father and mother, when both graced barangay fiestas.
Even his opponent in the elections exploited his age as an issue. He said they tried to project him as immature and incapable of handling the responsibilities of a town mayor.
But, according to Jumamoy, the people instead took his youth as an advantage.
"Qualifications alone is not a guarantee that one can be a good public servant," he said, "one must have a heart for the people to be a successful public servant."
His mother, the incumbent mayor, remembered how the young Jono, then an elementary student in Tagbilaran City, took money from his piggy bank and bought a set of kitchen utensils which was given to an old beggar he saw cooking food in a tin can.
PROGRAM OF GOVERNANCE
The new elected mayor said he will prioritize poverty reduction in his town.
Inabanga, which was recently elevated as a third class municipality, is home to a flourishing raffia-weaving industry.
Jumamoy said if they could tie-up with direct exporters of their finished products, it would mean a growth in the livelihood of Inabanga's grassroots who are involved in loom weaving.
Other priorities are environmental rehabilitation, which the town has started during the administration of the incumbent mayor, improved health care program and population control.
Inabanga, is the birthplace of Francisco Dagohoy, the Boholano who led the Philippine's longest revolt against Spanish rule.
----- published in the Bohol Chronicle - 5/20/2007
comment from the moderator:It only shows how sick we are as a nation. political dynasty. blah. blah. blahLinkback:
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