REELECTIONIST Mayor Joseph Ranola of Jagna port town underscored the changes in development and differences between him and his precursor under his administration’s mantra for Jagnaanons For Progressive Governance.
The mayor was speaking for over an hour during the grand rally held at the town’s gym on May 5, 2002 as last ditch efforts to woo voters.
With him, aside from his wife, Rebecca, were his running mate Engr. Jojo Pagar and for councilors: Atty. Noelle Acedillo, Anthony Aniscal, Onnie Galamiton, Lito Galos, Albert Radaza, Nicanor Salarda, Wilvinz Vinalon and Gilda Yuson.
Also, trying to persuade the voters were gubernatorial bet Cong. Aris Aumentado, his runningmate Victor Balite and for provincial board members for 3rd district were: G-Hernandez Mayor Tita Baja, Loboc Vice-Mayor Bebot Sumampong, Dr. Arnold Cagulada and Engr./businessman Greg Jala, son of former BM the late Elpidio M. Jala.
Each of them was given time to deliver their message before the estimated to be over 3,000 audience that jampacked the gym, aside those who stayed outside to listen.
Ranola exposes what seemed to be considered as “white elephants” most of them unfinished during the previous administration of the late Atty. Bicbic Abrenilla, who served as municipal mayor for nine years.
These included the Multi-purpose hall worth P999,979.00; improvement of fish port, P292,323.00; tourism center, P707,545.00; livestock trading post, P500,000.00; rehabilitation of fish port (brgy Bunga Mar), P2,998,620.00; evacuation facility, P 5 million; water supply in barangay Larapan, P7 million, among others.
Some of these are being refurbished to be useful for the people of Jagna, he said, while using a power point presentation to prove these are facts.
The mayor has reported for what he has done, so far. He launched the project baywalk that, he said, the opposition called “boulevard of broken dream” but it has become a “boulevard of progress,” where people in all walks of life are now enjoying strolling, view the horizon and sea/scenery and enjoy food park built therein.
The mayor said that he wanted to decongest the traffic of the very narrow highway traversing the town. He unveiled and completed the two bridges into concrete ones in barangay Pagina, as alternative way to the pier and public market.
Another is the diversion road he planned once reelected as part of the concrete plans. Included are the construction of new municipal hall annexing the old one and the tennis courts, where the new hall would soon stand will be replaced by two courts and the oval improvement with sure funding from General Appropriations Act 0f 2021.
With GAAA funding, the gym will also be improved, including the provision of air-conditioners soon.
He also transformed the once untidy fish section of the public into one of the cleanest, if not the cleanest, in the province.
As if to stress that connection with bigwigs in Manila, Ranola said that he was able to secure some P304 million for hard projects he envisioned to be realized soon after his meeting of DPWH secretary Roger Mercado of southern Leyte, who is appointed by President Duterte after then Sec. Mar Villar filed his certificate of candidacy for senator last year.
The mayor said that the good public works secretary promised him some P500 million.
CenterStage Band with multi-talented Ariel Fullido as drummer broke the monotony to render some danceable music. (rvo)
