MikeLigalig.com

Tagbilaran Mayor Dan Lim yesterday said he is optimistic that things will improve in the barangay level when candidates friendly to the mayor won in at least 10 barangays in Monday's election.

The biggest turn-around is in Cogon where Philipp Besas became the new barangay captain after defeating former provincial treasurer Nestor Balatero.

Since ex-Mayor Jose Torralba supported Balatero, Lim said he is comfortable working with Besas.
          
Aside from Besas, the other barangay captains whom Lim considered friendly were incumbents Faro Cabalit of Taloto and Dionisio Remolador, Poblacion 3, and newcomers Nestor Mendez of Bool, Leda Saco, Manga; Manolo Blanco, Mansasa; Eutorgio Telmo Jr., Booy; Timoteo Maglahus, Ubujan; Gildardo Bustamante, San Isidro; and Marcelo Epe, Tiptip.

Those who survived the juggernaut were incumbents Niño Racho of Poblacion 1 and Glorivic Yap-de la Serna of Poblacion 2 and newcomers Fredison Ingles of Dampas and mediaman Fortunato "Atoy" Cosap of Dao.

Notwithstanding the fate of reelectionist Apolonio Onyot of Cabawan who ended up in a tie, pro-Lim barangay captains now compose a new majority in the city.
"I believe we will be able to accomplish so much more," Lim said.

The mayor had complained that he did not only fail to generate support from the barangay captains in the past.

"In many instances, they actually tried to undermine my administration," Lim recalled.

He pointed out that many Blue Cards that were supposed to be distributed to indigents in every barangay were not distributed by barangay captains who were politically at odds with him.

"It turned out that because many indigents did not avail of the Blue Card, they could make a claim in the election that it was fake," the mayor noted.

Lim said the cooperation of barangay officials are crucial particularly in setting up a city-wide peace and order apparatus.

"Considering that it is the barangay officials who recognize the people in their localities, they are in the best position to monitor those who are engaged in suspicious activities," he added.

Lim said that in the past, many barangay officials did not do anything against criminal elements for as long as they benefited from them politically.

"That will no longer be the case," the mayor stressed.

He said each one has a responsibility but the barangay officials should take a lead.
"Everybody knows that peace and order is not just a police concern but many barangay officials act like it is not their business," he lamented.

Lim said that now that the elections are over, he will begin implementing his city-wide peace and order program.

--published by the Bohol Sunday Post

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