Holganza wins top ABC post in province

CEBU, Philippines - Incumbent Provincial Board ex-officio member Jose Ribomapil “Joeyboy” Holganza, Jr. got elected as president of the Federation of the Association of Barangay Councils, also known as Liga ng mga Barangay, in Cebu province.

The slate of Holganza was unopposed in yesterday’s election held at Radisson Blu Hotel, on North Reclamation Area, Cebu City, attended by 49 ABC presidents coming from component cities and municipalities in the province. Only two, who were absent, were not able to cast their votes.

The election ran smoothly up to the canvassing as almost all of the candidates got 49 votes while some got 48 votes.

Holganza’s slate included Emerito Calderon of Samboan as vice president; Domingo Carungay of Alcoy as auditor and eight members of the board of directors who are Mercedita Apura of Carcar, Juanito Puspus of Santander, Norman Anore, Sr. of Barili, Bernabe Gonzalez, Jr. of Balamban, Jose Brainard Mayol of Bogo, Leo Salundaguit of Liloan, Greman Solante of Tudela and Celedonio Sitoy of Cordova.

Holganza and all the newly elected officers of FABC took their oath of office immediately before Governor Gwendolyn Garcia at the Capitol. One of the plans of Holganza for the FABC is to have general assembly once every quarter and a monthly board meeting.

“We owe our voice to our members,” Holganza said, explaining that each of the towns and component cities have different concerns that need to be addressed individually.

On Monday, Capitol and the FABC will sign a memorandum of agreement to enroll all barangay officials with the Philippine Health Insurance Commission (PhilHealth). Holganza, the ABC president of the municipality of Bantayan, has been serving as ex-officio member of the PB since July this year to finish the term of their president, now Boljoon Mayor Teresita Celis. Holganza is her vice president that time.

Holganza used to serve as PB member elected at large by the residents of the Province of Cebu during the time of then Governor Emilio “Lito” Osmeña. (FREEMAN)