the CHAMP

By Carl Jamie Simple S. Bordeos,

UPM School of Health Sciences

His name may not appear in history books like the world’s greatest leaders; he may not be equally famous like those in the national political scene in the Philippines; but to my hometown, Lavezares, and to this writer, he is honored as a great man.

I am referring to my first cousin, Engineer Quintin "Tingting" Bordeos Saludaga, who, on the evening of May 16th, was proclaimed as the new municipal mayor of Lavezares to serve from 2007 to 2010.

Burst into tears for joy

Lavezaresnon may not believe with what I had witnessed on that memorable evening of the proclamation of winners. Engr. Quintin or Ting-ting for short burst into tears for joy after Mr. Pio Portes, the chairman of the Board of Canvassers (BoC), proclaimed him as mayor-elect to serve next to the outgoing-mayor, Honorable Celedonio B. Saludaga Jr., his elder brother, who had already served the municipality for two consecutive terms or an equivalent of six years, from 2001 to 2007.

Even his loyal supporters and those from the family also wept may be because, at last, their sacrifices of three days straight with less than expected hours of sleep paid off excluding the more than a month of campaigns.

He is still loved

To my humble observation, this writer can conclude that the voters in my hometown are more mature and wiser when it comes to selecting their servant leader. One argument I can pose is that his political rival even offered the voters with cannot-be-fulfilled promises, and big amount of money. Of course, one cannot refuse those offers since, as we all know, how difficult these days are.

But the winning of Engineer Ting-ting proved only one thing, notwithstanding, the personal attacks on him by his political rival, that he is still loved by the people.

15 Years of Excellent Service

This love and admiration to him by the people only shows how he served well the municipality when he was the mayor for 9 years, from 1992 to 2001.

From 1992, developments in the municipality occurred little by little.

Because he believed in the roles the youths are playing in the society, he opened up a scholarship program for those youths who came from low-income families but are deserving students. This program started with only 6 scholars until it reaches now to more than 60 scholars with cum laude graduates annually. Some of them, those who graduated and passed the licensing examinations, already hold key positions in some respected auditing firms in Manila

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To add, he institutionalized a program for the women, where in their health were given attention. This is the check-ups for papanicolaou smear (Pap smear) for those, who are within the child-bearing age scheduled every March, the women’s month. Pap smear is a test to detect cancerous or precancerous cells of the cervix, allowing the early diagnosis of cancer. Another program is a socialization that is intended for the elderly.

As of the present, there are already thirty day care centers scattered in 26 barangays from zero day care center before 1992. Day care workers have higher incentives compared to other municipalities in the province.

When it comes to his infrastructure projects, the following are built because of his efforts: the Legislative building; the Kalayaan building that houses the offices of the Municipal Social Welfare and Development, Bureau of Fire Protection, Municipal Court, and Municipal Day Care Center; Municipal Public Auditorium; and the Public Dry Market. The interior barangays like Villahermosa, Villa, Chansvilla, Toog, Datag, San Jose, Salvacion, and San Agustin, are now accessible because of the farm-to-market roads. 

Because of these projects and developments, the municipality received two national awards under his term: Sentrong Sigla (Centers of Vitality) for the Municipal Health Office, and the Best Comprehensive Integrated Delivery of Social Services. The Department of Health has seen the efforts of the municipality in its aim for "quality health care and services," while CIDSS is a community-driven development project that aims to empower communities through their enhanced participation in community projects that reduce poverty.

Ran unopposed

When he ran for the third term in 1998, he ran unopposed. After his 9 years as municipal mayor, Mr. Celedonio B. Saludaga continued his legacy in leadership also as a good servant leader. Now, he is again back in the political limelight.

Lavezares still in better hands

This writer can say that Lavezares is still in better hands. I could not wait already to see more development projects for my beloved hometown, Lavezares, and for the people. Truly, Ting-ting proves his worth to us; he has done many great things, which were of great value to the municipality. This great man is like a coconut tree, the tree of life, that has many uses. Padayon an pag-uswag, Lavezares!