January 14, 2009

I was honored to have been invited to be the first speaker, guest of honor and awarding officer of the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) for the new year 2009. It happened during their first flag ceremony event last Monday. It is part of their distinguished guest program and also their awarding of excellence in police service.

There are three pre-requisites, among others, to have a vibrant and peaceful community, namely, safety, order and discipline. The local government unit of Iloilo City works closely with the ICPO to ascertain such so as to maintain Iloilo City's image as city of love, friendship and festivities.

I salute the men and women in uniform for making sure we go to our job, school and places of recreation safely and without fear. The award of excellence given to men and women in uniform not only from the city but even from the regional and the national institutions show that they are doing a good job. I hope they maintain such and even work more that not only a few will gain recognition of excellence but ICPO in general.

Due to their job well done especially in Arevalo District (awarded as most outstanding police precint in the city), the City Social Welfare and Development in Arevalo and the Sangguniang Kabataan Federation of Arevalo District could hold concerts and events even until late evening without worries.

Happy Arevalo District Fiesta to all Villahanons!

Ever since my childhood years, I always believe in keeping harmonious relationships even with people who are associated with other political personalities and affiliations. I believe that we should think of our job and the constituents we serve more than personal and political interests. I started practicing this when I was blessed to become school class president, university wide and school wide student council officer, and youth organization chairman or president.

Until today, as I have become the youngest City Official of Iloilo City at age 27, I continue to reach out with the administration, opposition and independents. I believe that Iloilo City is not a city of the administration nor of the opposition nor of the independents. It is a city of the various Ilonggo communities and residents. The people we serve should come first not political interests.

I also believe in letting go of past political pains and hurts. I do not agree with keeping a grudge with those who initially did not support me or who even maligned me during the campaign season. I am a public servant of not only the 73,000 people who voted for me but of all the residents of the city of Iloilo estimated at 415,000 which already includes those who are not yet eligible to vote. Thus, regardless of voting pattern or behavior and political affinity, if my services are needed, as long as I can be of help, I render it without bias or prejudice.

Furthermore, I also request people to still call me LEX. My name doesn't change because I was already voted or I already have a Masters degree and God willing almost a Doctoral degree. Some residents call me Kagawad, Konsehal, City Councilor, SP (Sanggunian Panlungsod) or Honorable but I'd always prefer people just to call me LEX.

Since Iloilo City is a highly urbanized city and has not yet been approved for redestricting, I was voted city wide. The city is independent of the province and is a co-equal local government unit. Thus, it is said that my position as City Councilor is equivalent to Provincial Boardmember. Given such, I take my role, job and responsibility seriously as I was given a mandate to be the youngest City Official who can possibly influence the everyday life of the residents through special projects and meaningful legislative measures via privilege speeches, resolutions, committee and chairman's reports, and ordinances. I value the trust given to me by the people of Iloilo City and I owe my position to them. They lent me this position of responsibility and I will continue to try to work well in their behalf.

Again, I would like to say thank you to the people of Iloilo City for trusting me and for their continuous support. The gratitude will always be present.

I was able to complete the required number of office hours in the Field Office VI of the Department of Social Welfare and Development end of day today. It was a bitter sweet moment since I was already settling in well but time seemed to fly so fast.

Initially when I started, I had some adjustments to do in terms of my busy schedule, the time in time out system, the staying in the office for hours and hours, and attending/observing full whole days of social welfare/work related seminars. I'm not used to some of these things but it's all good. It made me appreciate the social workers, day care workers and people who are part of the so called "marginalized" sectors (youth, women, elderly and people with disabilities) more. The immersion also made me more understanding, patient, personable and humble. Furthermore, I also got to connect with the working class more. Although, I am thankful to have had experience working for private companies from year 1998 until 2007.

My perspective of social work has definitely become more in depth. I am very much thankful of my status and my situation. I feel so blessed. As such, for those who are more blessed than others, it is our duty and responsibility to find ways to help out others in need. For the poor and underprivileged, every peso counts, every minute is an opportunity to earn, basic needs are sometimes not met and there is a yearning to have a better life. Let us teach them how to fish so that we could help them to be productive and happy residents of the community. Let us teach them how to be self reliant and hard working by giving them access to opportunities and usable information.

I salute the people I met who despite certain disabilities or issues with poverty remained optimistic and found ways in order to strive for a better life. I also acknowledge the hard work and sacrifice given by the social welfare officers and workers who focus on genuine public service and think of others before themselves. I also congratulate DSWD for creating programs and projects designed to uplift the lives of people.

Truly, being able to lend a helping hand to others gives us a priceless feeling. I am grateful to my Alma Maters together with my parents for molding me into becoming a man for others.