BAGUIO CITY – Mayor Benjamin Magalong led the oath-taking of Baguio’s newly elected barangay officials at the City Hall grounds on Monday, November 20th.
The event was not just a formal induction into office but a stirring call for community-centric governance.
Addressing the officials, Mayor Magalong emphasized the weight of responsibility that comes with their roles.
“Gawin mo man ang tama o mali, marami pa rin magagalit sa iyo,” he said, acknowledging the inevitable scrutiny regardless of the decisions made.
However, he stressed the paramount importance of prioritizing the community’s well-being in every action taken.
“In the end, you must choose what is right for the community and the people of Baguio,” Magalong urged, setting the tone for a leadership focused on the greater good.
The Mayor’s speech resonated with a strong emphasis on the officials’ independence from political debts.
“You don’t owe any political leaders any gratitude,” he asserted.
He highlighted that the constituents’ votes were a testament to the officials’ hard work and exemplary performance in their communities, emphasizing the need to prioritize public service above political obligations.
Enumerating the pressing challenges faced by the city, Magalong outlined crucial issues such as waste management, corruption, traffic regulations, climate change, and disaster resilience.
He called for concerted efforts from the barangay officials to tackle these issues collaboratively.
Moreover, the Mayor urged officials to select representatives for the city council based on qualities of credibility, integrity, and leadership.
The emphasis on good governance and the plea for unity reverberated in his concluding call: “We, in the city government, need your help. Let us all work together.”
The ceremony also saw messages from other key figures, including Vice Mayor Faustino Olowan, councilor and Liga president Michael Lawana, Millicent Cariño from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) city office, and Sol Go, wife of Rep. Mark Go.
Their messages echoed the Mayor’s sentiments, underscoring the importance of community-focused leadership and collaboration.
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