Gov. Garcia visits Martinez bailiwick

Contrary to her expectation, Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia received a warm reception from Bogo residents during her first ever visit since the 2004 elections to the bailiwick of the Martinez family yesterday.

This despite the absence of Bogo town officials during a luncheon meeting with officials from the nine towns in the fourth district held at the Severo Verallo Memorial Hospital.

Garcia's visit to the town also ended her provincial sortie.

Joining the governor were Vice Gov. Gregorio Sanchez, Capitol consultant on information, organization and management Pablo John Garcia and some Capitol department heads.

She gladly met mayors Roger Ilustrisimo of Sta. Fe, Manreza Lim of Medellin and Letty Mancio of Madridejos who bravely showed up in the meeting held in the turf of their former political ally. But the mayors had already expressed support to the projects that Capitol implemented in their areas.

During the last polls, only Daanbantayan town Mayor Maria Luisa Loot supported Garcia from among the nine local chief executives in the fourth district.

In yesterday's meeting, the three mayors were grateful over provincial projects implemented in their towns.

Bantayan town Mayor Geralyn Escario-Cañares, who is now an ally of the governor, failed to attend the gathering because of her illness. But she was represented by two town councilors, including Councilor Marlon Pacaña.

Also present in the meeting were San Remigio Vice Mayor Pablito Olivar and the town councilors, and other representatives from Tabogon and Medellin towns. But like Bogo, Tabuelan town had no representatives during the meeting.

"If only we can rise above our own personal, parochial views and interests, what great good for so many can we indeed accomplish and deliver," Garcia told the locals officials.

In her speech before the town residents after the luncheon meeting, the governor reiterated how restless she was while traveling to the town from her visit to Medellin yesterday morning.

When she told them of her lamentations over the town officials' indifference towards her, the people shouted, "kami (we)", implying their support to the governor.

During her visit, Garcia led the inauguration and blessing of the district hospital facility and perimeter fence, as well as the turnover of an ambulance.

In his speech, hospital chief Rosendo Te apologized to the governor for failing to invite her in the past.

Capitol also distributed Philippine Health Insurance Corp cards and gave group accident insurance to barangay health workers and day care workers. She also distributed BHW kits.

During the assembly, only four out of the 29 barangays in Bogo were represented. - Cristina C. Birondo