Lady mayor braves threat of COVID, scorching sun
MARIVELES, Bataan — Mayor Jocelyn P. Castańeda braved the scorching sun and the threat of COVID-19 as she inspected all checkpoints in the barangay to ensure that they are properly implementing protocols on Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) in their areas to ensure the safety of her constituents.
Known for her bravery and intrepidity, Mayor Castañeda or Mayor JoCas as fondly called by her friends and relatives, conducted ocular inspections in all checkpoints in Mariveles during Holy Week amid surging cases of COVID in the province.
A lawyer, Mayor JoCas landed headlines in newspapers and radios when she personally inspected COVID facilities, despite opposition from her family, in Bgy. Alas Asin.
The mayor talked and personally handed over food packs to COVID patients. She wanted to know for herself their real situation at the height of pandemic in the town that was once a COVID epicenter.
Owing to her 24/7 close supervision, plus the all-out support of Gov. Abet Garcia, Mariveles town is gradually emerging from the wreckage of the pandemic.
“Upang masigurong mahigpit na ipinapatupad ang checkpoints sa mga barangay dahil sa mas pinahigpit na implementasyon ng MGCQ sa ating bayan, isa-isang binisita ni Mayor JoCas at ng kanyang Exec. Secretary na si Ms. Jo Serna, ang lahat ng checkpoints sa ating mga ng barangay,” according to a post on the town’s Facebook account.
“She (Mayor Castañeda) is really brave,” said Municipal administrator Angel Peliglorio.
Some described her winning as mayor last polls as ‘Divine intervention,’ for spending nothing except her dedication and sincerity to serve the public.
Castañeda stayed inside the ‘command center’ of the municipality during calamities and emergencies to personally monitor her constituents as observed by local newsmen.
She recently personally ‘raided’ in the middle of the night a barangay for hosting an illegal gambling activity.
