Mandaue and Compostela: Governor scolds feuding officials

Not only are their constituents tired of the political bickering in two local government units, so is Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia.

An obviously irked Garcia yesterday called on leaders in the province to set aside politics and prioritize the delivery of services to the people.

“Buot unta ako nga sa pagka karon layo pa man ang election mag undang usa kita ug plano sa sunod nga bugnong lugaynon. Undangan ta usa kining makadaut nga pamolitika kay ang katawhan ra ang mag antos niini,” Garcia said.

The crowd at the Capitol Social Hall became very quiet when Garcia spoke at the turn over of several mini cabs to the different LGUs.

She cited the City of Mandaue and the town of Compostela as two LGUs that are setting a very bad example due to the continued bickering of their mayors and the councilors.

“Ako ning gihisgotan karon tungod kay tinagli inyong mabasa sa mga mantalaan sa pipila ka mga adlaw nga milabay. Ang akong paninguha nga mo intirbiner, magpataliwala sa mga away sa mga opisyalis sa Compostela ug Mandaue,” Garcia said.

Aside from the turn over to the vehicles, Garcia also handed out assistance to barangays and administered the oath of the newly-installed assistant schools division superintendent and Kawayan, Dalaguete barangay captain.

Present in the gathering were Vice Governor Gregorio Sanchez, several members of the provincial board and town officials from the different districts.

Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes his vice mayor Carlo Pontico Fortuna were not however present in the gathering. So were Compostela mayor Ritchie Wagas and vice mayor Joel Quiño.

Garcia explained that she is intervening in the affairs of Mandaue and Compostela so that the people of these LGUs would be better served by their officials.

She reiterated her appeal for the officials to stop adding fuel to the fire by issuing statements that would lead to more misunderstanding.

“Gipili ko isip inahan sa lalawigan sa Sugbu tungod kay kana akong tulumanon, akong obligasyon, akong responsibilidad. Dili nako katugutan nga mo ingon na lang ako, bahala na mo diha ug mag bugno total gwapa man ko diri. Mobotar man gihapon ang katawhan nako. Pero unsa unya ang inyong pag tan-aw kanako isip inahan nga nagtan-aw lang sa iyang mga anak nga hapit na mag binugno ay tungod sa mga personal ug politikanhong interest?”

Garcia admitted that she gets hurt every time she reads about the insults traded by the political leaders.

“Dili ta motago sa likod sa pagwapo nga rason nga atong ibat-bat sa lungsod, ato silang pakisayran. Kahibalo sila kung asa ang tarong ug asa ang pamolitika. So I ask everyone again to work,” Garcia said.

From a margin of 7,000 votes in 2004 to a historic half a million in 2007, Garcia cited that she has come a long way in her first four years by setting aside politics, which the Executive and the provincial board has been united now.

“Busa mao kana nga ako naningkamot bisan pa man ug sawayon man kaha sa uban ug magpadayon ako sa akong paningkamot nga unta kining atong mga plano sa umaabot nga election ato usa kanang ihikling tungod kay aduna pay mas bug-at, mas mahinungdanon nga interest nga angay nato ipatigbabaw ug mao kana ang interest sa katawhan,” the governor said.

As Garcia ended her speech, the governor hopes that those people who are looking with “moist eye” in the 2010 elections will be enlightened to work for the people.

“This is not the time to be campaigning. This is not time to be soliciting votes. When that time comes, I assure you that Gwen Garcia will become another political animal. So don’t you question my political astuteness and don’t you question my political strategies,” she added. — /NLQ