MikeLigalig.com

By Loy Palapos

     Lila is a fifth (aspiring to be fourth) class municipality. It used to have only less than a million pesos in revenues. Agricultural production was low, mainly because of lack of appropriate technology. Most of the fisherfolks still used the same methods four decades ago. How to uplift the town and be at par with the more advanced municipalities was a tall order. This responsibility rested on the shoulders of Engr. Telesforo Laganson Balagosa when he was elected Mayor of Lila six years ago. Now on his third term, he and his constituents are reaping the fruits of their labor.

      Mayor Balagosa is a humble man with humble beginnings. His parents, Roque Balagosa and Eutiquiana Laganson, eked out a living to support a broad of eight. The eldest, Celerina B. Igcalinos, is now the Teacher In-Charge of Tiguis Elementary School. Rosalina B. Paigan is a Civil Engineer based in Australia. Roderick finished Architecture, but is now a businessman in Borongan, Samar. Felicites keeps home for the Mayor. Rodilo passed away at age 9. Rolando is a Marine Engineer who has found home in Vancouver, Canada. Ninia B. Tutor graduated with a BSN degree and now resides in Canada.

      The youngest in the family, he literally walked to and from school for his elementary and secondary education. He was born in Tiguis, Lila, Bohol, where he finished his sixth grade in 1970. At an early age he knew how it was to be in a family that had to struggle hard to make both ends meet. And he also knew that he had to get a college degree to realize his dreams in life.

      He persevered and went on with his secondary studies, until he graduated in 1974 with flying colors. After high school he opted for a change in environment. With his parents’ permission, he enrolled at the Cagayan Capitol Colleges of Cagayan de Oro City, where he took up Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering.

      Poverty was still staring at him straight to his face, but this did not deter him from purging further. He was aware that the future was in his hands, and he alone could make or break that future. He did not let poverty nullify his ambition, nor fear dominate his heart. To the contrary, adversity became his inspiration. Deep inside he was convinced God would not leave him to perdition, the same belief he nurtures until today. This belief made him optimistic and patient. His persistence moved him to finish his college degree despite the countless mayhems brought about by financial onslaught.

      Consistent in his studies, he graduated in 1981. That same year he took the Board and passed the Civil Engineering Licensure Examination. His next step was to go abroad, and worked in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He applied and was accepted in 1983 as a contract worker for 18 months. After the expiration of his first contract, he decided not to renew it. Instead he went to Kuwait in 1985, for a job he performed commendably until 1987. All the time, he never forgot his family back in Lila, and continued sending money for their subsistence, and to provide them comfortable livelihood.

      Because of his yearning for home he came back to the Philippines in 1988. His commendable performance with his previous employers paved the way to his employment in Asia-Gulf and Pacific Construction in Makati, known worldwide as the constructor of the country’s tallest buildings. Being a part of the company was an acknowledgment of his giftedness as an Engineer.

      Coming home to Lila when there was an opportunity was something he always looked forward to. He joined politics, not for himself, but for those who needed his service. He ran for the Chairmanship of Barangay Tiguis as an answer to the call for social consciousness. It was a hard decision to make as this would bring him away from the profession he was trained in; but winning the election was harder. As the claws of politics would have it, Engineer Balagosa was affiliated with a group opposed to the party of the administration. As expected, the ruling party had all the logistics in favor of its candidates. The odds were against him, yet despite political maneuverings, the neophyte won the barangay chairmanship post.

      Chairman Telesforo Balagosa had not been trained as a manager, but when he served as Punong Barangay his constituents saw in him a leader willing to learn the ropes of management. Serving his barrio folks evolved into something more profound. He became more conscious about the needs of the barangay populace.

      Urged by those who knew his concern for development, he decided to run as Municipal Kagawad. This time the road to being elected was not as rough. He was able to make an imprint of a dedicated government official, and this impression created a stir in the campaign trail, inspite of his being still in the opposition camp. He won and was seated as the seventh Sangguniang Bayan Member.

      At this phase of his political career, his skills and judgment as a legislator took the upper hand. For him issues have to be scrutinized before legislation could take place. Kagawad Balagosa did this for three years, which heightened his desire to serve the town the best way he could. This led to another call. He decided to run as Mayor in the 2001 elections.

      Already popular for his good deeds, unselfish dedication, and leadership skill, and being known as a God-fearing public servant highly esteemed by all, the people of Lila elevated him to the pedestal as the town’s Chief Executive. What he started in his first three years as Mayor, he continued in his next term when he was re-elected in 2004. Some of his accomplishments were: concreting the fence of the Municipal building in 2001; procurement of heavy equipment with 4.1 million pesos; improvement and opening of farm to market roads; renovation of the old municipal building; procurement of a patrol boat to curve illegal fishing; improvement of the Municipal Water Works System; expansion of the Phil. Health Program for the indigents; constant provision of medicines and vitamins; free legal assistance to indigents; renovation of the Municipal Health Center and Barangay Health Centers; crafting of the Comprehensive Land Use Plan and Coastal Resource Management Plan; revision of the Revenue Code; construction of a 6-classroom building in Lila High School; creation of 5 barangay cooperatives; construction of the Lila Gymnasium costing P14 million; and many other projects unheard of in the town’s previous administrations. With various projects he had accumulated for his town, the people have voted him Mayor for the third time. They acknowledge the ability of Mayor Balagosa to uplift their lives.

      Engineer Balagosa is happily married to Marmila, with whom he has two sons, Jave (who finished Computer Education), and Arief. Both are working in Canada with their mother who is a Nurse. His achievements are worth emulating by the youth. He has proven that poverty is not an obstacle to success, but a motivation for more aspirations. Fervor and humility are just two of his traits. This man who had to walk to gain an education

and become an Engineer has metamorphosed as an effective leader, not because he planned it, but because Lila needs him.

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