BY ERWIN ‘AMBO’ DELILAN
WHEN I was still in the elementary (around 40 years ago) in the remote Hacienda Cudangdang #4 in EB Magalona town, we loved to listen to radio dramas from sun up to sun down. Among our faves: “Ang Pagbalik ni Ronquillo”.
Known for his gallantry, Ronquillo was perceived to be the “hero” of the poor and the oppressed. The neigh of his horse (always) excited everyone. Hearing such meant Ronquillo was coming to a certain place and ready to help the hungry and save the oppressed.
Thus, hearing Kabankalan City’s mayor-elect Benjie Miranda narrating his own story in a mini-press conference in Bacolod City on July 12 reminded me of the said radio drama.
Well, Benjie’s “unexpected victory” in the May 9 elections rocked the province’s history. Being a chieftain of Tribu Bukidnon in Barangay Tan-awan, he goes down in Negros political history and demography as the very first member of an indigenous peoples (IP) community in the province to be elected mayor of one of the richest component cities in Negros Island.
With just a very slim margin of 278 votes over the sitting mayor Pedro “Bebing” Zayco, Jr., Benjie eventually put an end to the nearly 36 years of Zaycos’ dominance in the city dubbed as the “Tiger of the South”. So, until now, many can’t believe still.
BIBLICAL
But Benjie’s fate is maybe biblical. He is just armed with prayers and faith to really serve his city mates amidst unexplained “hullabaloos” brought by the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) and super typhoon “Odette” in December last year.
“I just pray every day and entrusted everything to God. Thus, “Divine intervention”, he quipped, maybe caused his triumph. Hearing these simple yet “hearty” pronouncements will truly bleed someone’s heart.
I then remembered what the Bible (in Luke 1:52) said, “God toppled the mighty from their thrones and exalted the lowly.”
Too, Matthew 23:12 says “whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
Yes, it’s unbelievable, but Benjie based on his Statement of Contribution and Expenditures (SOCE) submitted to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on June 8 only spent a total of P25,000 for the entire 45-day campaign period and on the day of election.
Using his single motorcycle or a horse sometimes, he penetrated the remotest sitios in Kabankalan just to ask support from the people he believes were “neglected” of government’s services and programs.
“Ang wala nila nakadtu-an, ginakadtu-an ko,” referring to his three opponents, including Mayor Zayco.
He said he promised nothing except that if he wins, he’ll go back and ask them what they (really) needed most.
‘NON-NEGOTIABLE MISSION’
But what I admire him most was when he said that he’ll prioritize the poor and the needy as a “non-negotiable mission”.
He vowed to open the city hall, especially the Mayor’s Office 24/7 with no holiday(s) just for people who have no “luxury of time” to visit him during weekdays.
“Bisan Sabado kag Dominggo, abrehan ko ang City Hall para lang sa mga tawo, ilabi na atong sa mga malayo nga lugar nga luyag magbisita kag mangayo sang bulig.”
So, vowed by Benjie, in his first 100 days in office, he’ll advocate a consultative style of government.
“I’ll ask everybody – my fellow city officials, the barangay officials and the people per se – what are needed to be prioritized?”
But first thing first, he’ll saturate the people in Kabankalan with the giving of ayuda– both financial and relief goods, especially those who were victims of typhoon “Odette”.
‘LIBRE ARADO’
Next, he’ll implement the “Libre Arado” (free plowing) program aimed at helping the farmers, especially the agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in Kabankalan who can’t afford to cultivate their lands.
“For me, it’s an urgent and essential thing to help the farmers.”
Stressed by Benjie most of the farmers in their city who have more than five hectares of agriculture lands can no longer afford to pay for the preparations of their lands.
So, in order to capacitate them once again, the city will provide them tractors to plow their lands for free.
Nice, nice, nice!
Generic in concept, but tremendously effective for sure!
Too, he swore not to forget prioritizing health services and the senior citizens as well.
Furthermore, he disclosed that he’d already asked help from Presidential Adviser for the Visayas Michael Lloyd Dino for the immediate setting up of a Malasakit Center in Kabankalan.
Then, livelihood programs for the marginalized sectors in their city will eventually follow.
But topping his “major, major” plans, Benjie said he’ll see to it that every sitio in Kabankalan will become accessible sooner through farm-to market roads.
Likewise, he said he’ll also continue supporting the proposed construction of an airport in Kabankalan as it’ll boost the tourism promotions not just in their city but also in the entire southern Negros.
‘INDI GID MAG-HINULSOL’
But as early as now, doubts have started to cloud on Benjie’s competence, integrity and capability to lead one of the billionaire cities in Negros.
Hence, an extra dollar question by the many: How far will he reach?
Well, Benjie is so serious.
He’s “tough” actually the way he reasons out.
He said his formidable experiences in public service can’t be undermined.
On record, he used to be Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) kagawad and chairman, Citizen Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) member, military officer and barangay captain of Tan-awan for 11 years.
Thus, he’s stressed he’s no “alien” to serving people.
However, he underscored that his experience as Civil Military Operations (CMO) officer of the Philippine Army (PA) before honed him most to be a real public servant.
At CMO, he said it’s always their mantra: win a war or the hearts and minds of the people without fighting(s).
“So, ang mapasalig ko, indi gid mag-hinulsol ang mga tawo nga nag-boto sa akon.”
‘LIMITLESS SERVICE(S)’
Well, touting God as his “best adviser”, Benjie believes he can deliver limitless service(s) for Kabankalanons.
This, as he emphasized to the media that he “fears no more” wherever he’ll be led by times.
Thus, it can be sensed in him that faith in public service is already a choice, and not just a feeling anymore.
And like the drama hero Ronquillo, Benjie’s ultimate comeback as a public servant after more than nine years of being a “perennial loser” in three local elections (2010 for councilor, 2016 for vice mayor and 2019 for vice mayor again ) is, somehow, much forestalled by the many to create new dimensions in governance truly meant to benefit the poor.
Because it’s Biblical, too, that whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and He will reward them for what they have done (Proverbs 19.17).
Therefore, kudos and good luck to Benjie billed as the modern Ronquillo of Negros./PN
