ORIENTAL MINDORO – The first session of the 11th Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) was held on July 4 under the leadership of the newly elected Oriental Mindoro Vice Governor and SP Presiding Officer Ejay L. Falcon.

In his inaugural speech, Vice Gov. Falcon thanked all the people of Mindoreño who gave him the “confidence” that he could lead the provincial board.

The vice governor also expressed his gratitude for the support of his parents, friends, Team GSM, and everyone who helped with his candidacy.

“This is the beginning of my stand and [fulfilling] my campaign promises. Just in the interest of the Mindoreño people, we will not prolong it. I look forward to the full support of my colleagues in the SP to advance the provincial government’s projects and programs,” said Vice Gov. Falcon.

He also shared the “EJAY Agenda”, which will serve as his management’s guide and priority programs: E for education, J for jobs, A for agriculture, and Y for youth empowerment.

Meanwhile, 2nd District Board Member Jomarc Philip Dimapilis was appointed as the Majority Floor Leader, while 2nd District Board Member Roland Ruga was the chairperson of the Committee on Provincial Planning, Budgeting, and Accounts.

The session also included the first Indigenous People Mandatory Representative (IPMR) in the person of Board Member Ahop Agate, a Mangyan indigenous leader from the Hanunuo tribe.

Also present at the session was Governor Humerlito “Bonz” Dolor, who extended his congratulations to the members of the 11th SP and re-filed the legislative measures he had previously requested in the 10th SP.

“This day is historic because first, I am returning to SP as Governor for the second time, second, sitting as a Board Member of our IPMR, and third, the members of the SP heard my call for unity,” Gov. Bonz said in his message to the board.

Several legislative measures were approved in the said session, but the most important of them was the approval of the 2022 Annual Budget.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Jojo C. Magsombol