BANGUED, Abra – A young and dynamic political science instructor wants to go back home in this capital town to disturb the traditional political system in the province by offering himself as an alternative choice of the people in the upcoming May 2022 synchronized national and local elections.
Gerald Edano, 23, a political science professor at the University of the Cordilleras (UC) based in Baguio City, stated that he was disappointed to learn that what he had been teaching, especially the 4 principles of politics, is not being practiced in Abra, particularly in Bangued, that is why he was convinced to offer himself as an alternative choice of the people for vice mayor.
He pointed out that enough is enough for traditional politics and it is now high time for progressive politics that offers solutions to the prevailing problems in the community where the same had been absent at present.
The UC instructor, who is also a cum laude graduate of political science, emphasized that it is disgusting to learn that what he had been teaching in relation to political science, such as transparency, accountability impact of programs, projects and activities and the benefits of the same to the people is actually not being felt by the residents.
According to him, what is worst is that the age-old problems of the people such as access to health care, employment and livelihood, basic services and education have been exacerbated by the ongoing Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic yet the present batch of leaders were not able to offer sustainable solutions where the pitiful situation of the people had been aggravated by the lack of foresight among those who are in power.
Edano asserted that there are numerous housekeeping activities that must be done in the way leaders of Bangued handled the existing situation and that is what he and his mayoralty candidate, former board member Mary Ann Bersamin, and the members of their slate for municipal council, will bring to the capital town to ensure the law and order will be regained.
He claimed that Bangued has much more funds to dispose compared to the other 26 municipalities of the province but it is unfortunate that there are lower class towns that have better health care facilities that serve residents from their neighboring localities compared to what the capital town can offer.
Further, the young and upcoming leader underscored the importance of consulting concerned sectors to elicit their inputs before coming out with key policy decisions on certain matters affecting the various sectors of the community to ensure the active participation of the people in governance.
Edano stipulated that it is time to move away from traditional politics where fear is used for influential politicians to advance their own political and personal interests and more important social issues are compromised due to patronage politics.
While it will be an uphill climb for him and his party mates to convince people to embrace the change they are offering, he saw in the eyes of the people their strong desire for change that will bring back law and order not only in the municipality but also the whole province so that the overall growth and development can be realized instead of the few lording it over the economic activities. By HENT